Pray for Osama?

A number of churches in Australia (both Baptist and Anglican) are posting "Jesus loves Osama" on their church sign-boards. Prime Minister Howard is upset about it, even though he's fully aware that Christians are to love their enemies and to pray for those who persecute them. Click here: "Jesus Loves Osama" Signs Hit Australia, Baptist Church's Signs Draw Criticism Over Whether They Promote A Suitabl

These signs raise an interesting question (duly noting the trite nature of such slogans in the first place). As an American citizen, I would be thrilled if and when a Predator spots Osama and then launches a Hellfire missile in his direction, hopefully blowing him into little Osama bits. Justice would be served.

But as a Christian, I have been remiss in praying for my enemies (including Bin Laden). I am reminded that in my office as minister of Word and Sacrament, it is my sacred duty (should the occasion arise) to preach the law and the gospel to UBL and any like him, regardless.

Since I am a citizen of two kingdoms (one earthly and the other heavenly), and since my citizenship in the heavenly kingdom informs my earthly citizenship, I should, on the one hand, earnestly pray for UBL's conversion and repentance, and on the other, hope that he gets his. No contradiction here.  The two kingdoms fit together just fine.

As a minister, I should also be cognizant of the fact that my citizenship in the city of man not find its way into the pulpit at the expense of my charge to preach God's word. I must do what Scripture and the Canons of Dort command me to do--preach the gospel promiscuously to all who come within earshot, regardless of who and what they are.  My opinions about Predators and UBL are not part of that sacred calling.  OK to express them on a blog, but not in a sermon.

So, I'll pray for Osama's conversion and urge you to do the same, and at the same time I'll hope that our special forces find Osama and kill him.  Meanwhile, I will trust how that all works out to the grace and providence of God.

Your thoughts?

Comments

[Bryan Peters]

Although I love so much of the theology of the Magisterial Reformation, this is where I simply cannot follow. You say you mean to pray one thing and hope another. How can this glorify God? It seems to me that the two kingdoms do not fit together just fine at all. Your actions portrayed here seem contradictory and the New Testament seems to portray much of these two kingdoms in conflict.

[Tyler]

That's what I was wondering. How does "praying and hoping for UBL's conversion" and "hoping someone aims a missile at his head" nicely fit together? Seems like you want to forgive and not forgive. I understand we aren't perfect and that once we choose to forgive this doesn't mean we still won't struggle with seeking revenge on that person. But this doesn't give us the excuse to throw up our arms too quickly and say, "Oh well, I hope he burns in hell anyway!"

[Robin]

Some thoughts, guys...

Perhaps the aspiration echoes God's Divine attribute of not taking pleasure in the destruction of the wicked?

Add to that our finite limits of Providential knowledge, hoping in both God's mercy (if it pleases His Majesty) and/or His protection and vindication for HIS glory (trusting in His intervention while being fearful of/grieved for the destiny of OBL.)

The Sovreign Lord is able to deliver us from evil in one of two ways: conversion of the wicked or vanquishing them by death or imprisonment.

Who knows? Maybe prayer for the Apostle Paul before he was converted had a hand in the matter?

[AerodynamicPenguin]

There seems to be a serious contradiction in praying for someone's salvation and simultaneously wanting that person to be murdered. Isn't the kingdom of God supposed to challenge us to repent of desires for the destruction of another, and to inspire us to pray that God would enable us to love the unlovable from our hearts?

Think of Jesus's response to His murderers. If that's the ideal response to a persecutor, then shouldn't we be praying that God would sanctify our hearts, rather than calling this contradiction "no contradiction"?

This seems like a misuse of two-ages theology. It seems like an excuse for callousness and lovelessness. I mean, think of Jesus rebuking Peter for cutting off the ear of the soldier, and then even healing that man's ear. Jesus thereby rebukes Peter for his easy identification with the city of man in this action, rather than identifying primarily with the city of God.

[AerodynamicPenguin]

P.S. Another point I didn't think to mention earlier -- just because Osama bin Laden didn't personally attack me or you, that excuse us from the command to forgive him. He attacked "us," and clearly we are offended by his actions if we want him dead. And if we are so provoked by his actions that we want him dead, we obviously need to forgive him. And Jesus reminds us in the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18) that the debt we accrued, and which has been canceled at the cross, is far greater than any debt owed to us. So, two-ages theology falls short here if it's trying to excuse us from the need to forgive and to love.

This seems harmonious with the idea of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians, and with James's words against double-mindedness. All of these together seem to urge us to love, to repent when we don't love, to petition God for more loving hearts, and to not accept two minds or two hearts.

[AerodynamicPenguin]

I meant "doesn't" excuse us, in the 2nd line!

[James Duguid]

If the government managed to kill Bin Laden, I think that our happiness should be tempered with sadness. We should be happy that the government has successfully executed its God-given responsibility to bring about justice, but at the same time, we should also feel the tragedy of sin and its consequences. I would certainly be very happy to see Bin Laden saved from the wrath of God through Jesus Christ. However, we have God's command given to Noah after the Flood that whoever sheds blood must have his blood shed. Even if Bin Laden were to convert, I think the government would still have to execute him. So I will be glad if justice is served, even while I am sad to see another rebellious sinner suffer the consequences of his actions.

[mholst]

You hit the issue square on. As a citizen of the U.S., I pray that Osama is dealt with justly. As a citizen of the kingdom of God, I pray that God will show His mercy to this terrorist. As one man, I have the responsibility to love my enemies and to preach/teach/share the Gospel with them. However, the government is not called (at least from my understanding of Romans 13) to love their enemies or to share the Gospel. Rather, they are to administer justice with the sword (i.e., death). There is nothing wrong, then, with praying that the government is enabled by God to carry out its divinely oriented purpose. So if the U.S. succeeds in killing Osama, I will rejoice in the fact that justice is done. I will not, however, rejoice in Osama's eternal condemnation (at least not until I am with Christ at His return).

[Reg Schofield]

As a christian we indeed are called to love our enemies but taking the the whole counsel of Gods word into account , we must remember that we can call out for justice to be done at the same time,with no contradiction.
If for example OBL repents,turns to Christ for salvation, do we just roll our eyes and go , well he can reach out to muslims now , forgive and forget. NO! He would still have to account for his evil actions prior to his conversion and if it was a real conversion ,that sin would drive him to accept the punishment for those crimes.
The state ,as Romans indicates,acts as Gods arm in matters of justice and retribution. It is totally lawful as Pastor Kim has said ,to want justice done and at the same time pray for his conversion .Plus if he is found and killed ,we are to take no delight in his death but feel satisfied that justice has prevailed. My 2 cents worth!!

[zrim]

yes, our dual citizenship sure creates an odd reality, does it not? while i appreciate the above posters' sentiments, KR is demonstrating just how odd our duality can be. KR may be blunt here, but i think he shows a grasp of the duality of the 2 kingdoms in a way many don't seem to fathom very well. how God's love and justice work together, how human duty and God's sovereignty co-exist, i have no idea. i don't even know how 2 + 2 = 4 even works! some concepts disappear behind a big, balck circle an di have no idea how they function. but they do. and neither QIRC (read: rationalism) nor mysticism are useful here. it is pure mystery, something our day is discomforted by and chooses the former two.

zrim

[Bryan Peters]

I do agree that it is Biblical to affirm the demands of justice, but I would argue that as New Covenant believers, we are to seek and hope for the conversion of unbelievers rather than their deaths. I also agree that some teachings of Scripture may not seem immediately reasonable or reconcilable to us, but my problem is that I do not see this ethic of "two kingdoms" taught in Scripture.

[walt]

There's absolutely no contradiction here, just tension between the two kingdoms. If OBL was converted, he would be the first to say that that he deserved to die for what he did per Genesis 9:5.

It glorifies God perfectly whether he's converted or hit by a hellfire, or converted then hit by a hellfire. If he's converted, then it glorifies God because he brought such a wicked sinner to Himself through the blood of Christ. If he's hit by a hellfire, then it glorifies God because God's justice was served in the already, and will be consummated in the not yet when he is in Hell awaiting the second death. Either way, God is glorified.

[Chris Sherman]

I like Walt's post.

My tendency is to pray for Osama's conversion and not to worry about whether or not the wicked receive justice here and now.


But my question is, if Osama converts, then could he become an evangelist? :)

[zrim]

nice, chris! i can feel your elbow as i write. uh, magic common sense 8-ball says once again, "no. he may speak with his family and friends all he wishes but he may not be an ordained evangelist."

zrim

[Chris Sherman]

Hello Mr.zrimec,

I can't write, I'm laughing too hard. I need one of those 8 ball thingy's you have. :)

[zrim]

he-he. i have one on my desk that an employee gave me for christmas a few years back. unfortunately, it is not as magic as i may have implied (it has yet to tell me what i should do when i grow up, to say nothing of what we should do with a converted osama). however, right next to it i do have a nice stone that has "nothing is written in stone" carved into it. what nice "concrete" for a two-kingdom devotee!!

zrim

[Scott]

I think you're right on. Though it makes no difference what I think. I just had this same conversation with two members of my church today. It seems that there is a line missing from these signs. "God loves Osama Bin Laden, but unless he repent and believe in Jesus Christ he will still spend eternity in hell." I question the motivation behind these signs. What purpose do they serve? To inspire people to pray for his conversion or to say that there's nothing really wrong with him. I don't know anything about the churches posting these signs, so I'll withhold judgment for know. Thanks for the post.

[DJ Cimino]

Can I ask what book you find most useful in explaining the two kingdoms you mention in this post? I am a former IFB, KJO, Dispy and I need a lot of help in this are! Thanks!

[walt]

DJ,

Go to www.upper-register.com and listen to "The Unfolding Mystery" series by Lee Irons. It will completely reformat your thinking.

[Andrew Alvarez]

I propose that if Osama does come to faith that an evidence of that faith would be his surrender to authorities and willing acceptance of the death penalty. Such should be the desire of justice for all Christians---that they would be willing to pay the earthly price for their earthly crimes even if they will not pay the eternal price.

I found this quote from George Washington interesting:

When you see a Crime punished, you may be inwardly Pleased; but always shew Pity to the Suffering Offender.