Considering 9/11, Then

I wrote this on 9/13/01 for our church newsletter.  I tried to offer some perspective.  I hope to follow this up with a “now” take.

Spring 2001 from the Staten Island Ferry

What is probably the single most horrible act of terrorism in history has ushered America into reality.  The so-called reality shows that are so popular now can never top live footage of two passenger jets colliding, purposefully, into the World Trade Center.  Until this moment we have been under the illusion of being invulnerable.

The horrific bombing in Oklahoma was done by one of our own.  Other acts of foreign terrorism on our shores have been minimal and shut out of our national consciousness.  Never again.  The world is filled with such acts, though not on this scale.  And we will never be the same.

The responses in our hearts are mixed.  We weep for the victims, their families and even ourselves.  We’ve been stripped of that illusion and it is painful.  There is also anger, even outrage.  I’m reminded of the song “If I had a Rocket Launcher” by Bruce Cockburn.  It was written after witnessing similar horrible acts in South America in the mid-80’s.  If he had one “some son of a b—  would die”.  That is how I feel at times.  Do you?

It is natural, or should I say normal.  Our innate sense of justice, as people made in God’s image, cries for justice.  Our sinful nature perverts it into revenge.  The longing for justice is noble, honorable and right.  The thirst for revenge crosses the line into sin.

So what is to be our response as Christians?  Romans 12 says the following:

 ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  ²⁰ On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Paul recognizes that all people will not be at peace with us.  Evil is not an excuse to perpetrate evil.  We are to love our enemies, seeking to overcome their hatred with love.  That longing for justice is brought before God.  We are to leave room for God’s wrath by forsaking the temptation to express ours.  Why?  God will take care of it.  Maybe not in this life, but He will.  His justice will be more terrible and profound than any you or I could concoct.  We must turn to Him in prayer like the persistent widow begging for justice in this case (Luke 18).

That is not all.  These people should not get off in this life.  God has given the state the power of the sword for just such a reason.  See Romans 13- “ ⁴ For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer”.

Our government has been given the right to protect us and punish those guilty of atrocities such as this.  Timothy McVeigh learned this.  So should these people.  But they may not (all) be brought to a human bar of justice.  Don’t worry- God sees and God will avenge, He will repay.  Our faith looks to Him to keep that promise in such matters great and small.  It is when we refuse to trust God that we take matters into our hands.

The flip side of this is why would Jesus, a loving God, allow this to happen?  Why didn’t He restrain this sin?  Maybe it’s because we are so prone to overlook sin and the evil in our hearts.  This crime was committed in the name of their false god or idol.  Idolatry is evil, and drives people to commit great evils.  We should not seek to commit similar evils in the name of our idols as Americans.

This catastrophe should cause us to look at ourselves.  Why was our soul shaken?  Were we trusting in something or someone other than Christ to provide peace?  Is our faith in Jesus plus our government?  Is it in Jesus plus our financial system?  Any such situation is a violation of the first commandment (Exodus 20:1) and we need to repent.

This tragedy could be the opening of many doors of evangelism.  It will also close off many hearts to the truth.  But we believe in a God who endured the pain of a horrible death to save us. Unlike the heroic efforts of the passengers who crashed the plane in Pennsylvania to save lives, Jesus didn’t have to die.  He chose to die for people who deserved to die. That’s how horrible sin is- the one innocent person in all of history since the Fall was put to death by sinners one and all.  We have no right to accuse Him of our sin, or the sin of others.