With the hoopla of Harold Camping's May 21 predictions now finally beginning to wane, I want to share some final thoughts--at least until October when Camping predicts the world will end. Just to be clear, according to his written tracts and information on his radio station websites, May 21 was supposed to be the date of the rapture and October 21, the day of destruction. October 21 is not a revised prophecy. It was part of the original all along.
I am not a prophet in the predictive sense, but I did predict what Camping would do on May 22 in light of a failed prophecy. He did what other false prophets have done in the past, spiritualized his vision. Camping, like Charles Russell (Jehovah's Witness) before him, believes now that the judgment has occurred but it did not play out in a physical rapture the way he thought it would.
While Camping continues to err in trying to calculate and set dates that are reserved for the wisdom and sovereignty of God, he does get one thing right. Jesus will return to establish His kingdom. In His first appearance on earth, Jesus came as the Suffering Servant to inaugurate a kingdom that would be offered to those who believe. When all who will believe have believed, Jesus will come again, this time, not as a Suffering Servant but a Conquering King. The Bible says that he will come in all His glory and that everything that is anti-Christ (captured in the term Babylon in Revelation) will be judged. His judgment will be final, physical, and quick.
What I noticed about my own attitude towards Camping is that while I (rather unfortunately) stated several opinions that were not constructive, I realized that I thought differently on May 21. Even in the midst of mocking his theology, he had me thinking about certain actions and attitudes that I would want to avoid should that day or any day for that matter be the last day. In hindsight, I think we too often feel that Christ's return could be immediate, but we file it away in the recesses of our minds so that we are not forced to consider our lives in light of His imminent return.
I hope that between now and October 21 and beyond, should the Lord grant us that much time, that I will learn to live each day thinking intentionally about my actions and attitudes, my pursuit of holiness, and my service to the kingdom through His church. Are there thoughts that I don't want to be thinking when Christ comes? Are there conversations that I don't want to be having when Christ comes? Are there places I don't want to be when Christ comes? The return of Christ should not paralyze us with fear, but should serve to motivate us with the urgency that gospel deserves. In embracing this gospel, we escape the judgment that awaits those who continue to reject the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This gospel is God's plan of salvation and deliverance to all who believe.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The Death of Bin Laden: A Victorious Battle in a Just War
The news of the death of Usama bin Laden spread like a wildfire through news outlets, social media, baseball parks, and New York City streets. National pride gripped Americans’ hearts and souls and the nation seemed to shout a unified and harmonious, “Hallelujah,” reminiscent of the voices of the citizens of Oz upon hearing that the Wicked Witch was dead.
While we rightly consider that some amount of justice has been served, we should exercise caution in our celebration. The Bible says in Ezekiel 33:11, “Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.’” God’s desire for anyone, no matter how evil, is for faith and repentance to eventually grip their hearts and to turn towards Him for life. We must make sure that our motive or cause for celebration is not vindictiveness towards bin Laden, but gladness towards the families who have suffered because of his work. These families get to experience some semblance of justice and closure.
Before the din of American nationalism could subside, critics were already questioning the justification of such an act, questioning the right of the United States to be in Afghanistan and Pakistan, much less the right to use such force in going after one man. The answer to such critics can be found in Scripture and in a theological/philosophical worldview of what has been labeled, “just war.” I know that for many people, there is no such thing as a just war, but the reality of the human condition and inclination towards war necessitates a mediating position between pacifism and imperialism.
The just war theory was formulated by Augustine in the midst of the Christianization of the Roman Empire under Constantine. Prior to Christianity becoming the dominant belief system, Christians were in such minority that they were able to ignore any imperial claims made upon them by the Empire. As Christianity spread, it became more difficult for Christians to maintain a pacifist position as increasing pressure was placed on them to serve in the armed forces. Augustine adapted the rules of warfare developed by classical thinkers like Plato and Cicero to Christian thought. He taught that war should be fought in order to secure justice and reestablish peace. He also taught that war must be conducted under the direction of proper ruling authorities and characterized by an attitude of love for the enemy (the opposing forces theoretically serving in the same frame of mind, in loyalty to their ruler.) Any promises made to the opposition should be honored such as a clearly defined mission and the parameters of the mission. (R.G. Clouse, “War,” Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 2nd Ed. Walter E. Elwell, ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001)
The Bible says in Romans 13:3-4, “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good and you will receive praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.” The pursuit of Usama bin Laden was not the pursuit of a person who may have been guilty of crimes against humanity. Bin Laden was proud to acknowledge his role in the attacks that killed over three thousand civilians and led to a war that has killed thousands more, civilians and servicemen. As limited as human justice is, it was served in the death of Usama bin Laden.
As glad as I am to hear that there is one less terrorist in the world today, I am saddened by the fact that the news came too late for the American service men and women who have already given their lives for this cause, who were not able to celebrate with us the victory of this particular battle—a victory that comes in the context of the much larger war they have been fighting for a decade. Of course, they have already seen firsthand the true justice that comes to those who reject God and the gospel of His Son, Jesus.
While we rightly consider that some amount of justice has been served, we should exercise caution in our celebration. The Bible says in Ezekiel 33:11, “Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.’” God’s desire for anyone, no matter how evil, is for faith and repentance to eventually grip their hearts and to turn towards Him for life. We must make sure that our motive or cause for celebration is not vindictiveness towards bin Laden, but gladness towards the families who have suffered because of his work. These families get to experience some semblance of justice and closure.
Before the din of American nationalism could subside, critics were already questioning the justification of such an act, questioning the right of the United States to be in Afghanistan and Pakistan, much less the right to use such force in going after one man. The answer to such critics can be found in Scripture and in a theological/philosophical worldview of what has been labeled, “just war.” I know that for many people, there is no such thing as a just war, but the reality of the human condition and inclination towards war necessitates a mediating position between pacifism and imperialism.
The just war theory was formulated by Augustine in the midst of the Christianization of the Roman Empire under Constantine. Prior to Christianity becoming the dominant belief system, Christians were in such minority that they were able to ignore any imperial claims made upon them by the Empire. As Christianity spread, it became more difficult for Christians to maintain a pacifist position as increasing pressure was placed on them to serve in the armed forces. Augustine adapted the rules of warfare developed by classical thinkers like Plato and Cicero to Christian thought. He taught that war should be fought in order to secure justice and reestablish peace. He also taught that war must be conducted under the direction of proper ruling authorities and characterized by an attitude of love for the enemy (the opposing forces theoretically serving in the same frame of mind, in loyalty to their ruler.) Any promises made to the opposition should be honored such as a clearly defined mission and the parameters of the mission. (R.G. Clouse, “War,” Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 2nd Ed. Walter E. Elwell, ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001)
The Bible says in Romans 13:3-4, “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good and you will receive praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.” The pursuit of Usama bin Laden was not the pursuit of a person who may have been guilty of crimes against humanity. Bin Laden was proud to acknowledge his role in the attacks that killed over three thousand civilians and led to a war that has killed thousands more, civilians and servicemen. As limited as human justice is, it was served in the death of Usama bin Laden.
As glad as I am to hear that there is one less terrorist in the world today, I am saddened by the fact that the news came too late for the American service men and women who have already given their lives for this cause, who were not able to celebrate with us the victory of this particular battle—a victory that comes in the context of the much larger war they have been fighting for a decade. Of course, they have already seen firsthand the true justice that comes to those who reject God and the gospel of His Son, Jesus.
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