Considering 9/11, Now

It is hard to summarize the impact of an event.  I know I will not say all that could be said.  That’s because I don’t know all that could be said.  So, if you expect the authoritative statement of how 9/11 affected our nation and our world you will be sorely disappointed.

Some Positives

We Saw Heroic Actions- as we learned more about what transpired on 9/11 we learned of great acts of heroism.  We learned about some of the passengers on United 93 who fought the terrorists so they could not fulfill their plan.  They knew it would mean their own deaths, but the plane would not be used to kill others.

There were the many first responders who entered the twin towers knowing they probably, some definitely, would not make it out alive.  But they gave their lives to save the lives of others.  They are heroes.  As are the many people who surrendered days of their lives to search for survivors.

There are many heroes who decided, based on that day, to serve their country in far away places.  They loved their country and its citizens and offered their lives to keep them safe.

¹³ Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15

The Progress of the Gospel– many questioned what they believed.  Some came to know God in the midst of this process.  Studies show 39% of the churches in central Manhattan have been planted since 2000.  Church attendance in NY City has increased from 31 percent to 46 percent.  That is significant.  These studies don’t really examine what it is these people believe.  But the gospel made some headway in a largely secular city after 9/11.

Some Negatives

A Confusing of the Kingdoms- as a Christian, I live in 2 kingdoms.  I am a citizen of God’s kingdom and a citizen of the United States.  How I live as a U.S. citizen is shaped by my heavenly citizenship.  Scripture, particularly places like Romans 13, teaches that how I as a Christian respond to things is different than how the state should/could respond.  For instance: I do not have the right to punish criminals, but the state has the responsibility to punish evil doers.  As a Christian, I want the Islamo-terrorists to repent and be saved.  As a U.S. citizen, I want them brought to justice.  There is a battle within at times.  It can get confusing as to the best path.  At times I see I have been more driven by my longing for justice than the growth of the kingdom.  Many Christians project kingdom values on the government, or they want the church to carry the government’s agenda.  That leads me into the next 2 points.

¹⁹Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it^[i] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  ¹Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. ²Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. ³For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, ⁴for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 12-13

The Strengthening of Civil Religion- not all those who now go to church believe the gospel.  They are looking for comfort, and aren’t really interested in the fullness of the gospel (justification, adoption, sanctification & glorification).  They want a sense of peace and safety in a chaotic world.  I don’t like civil religion- it is the broad road that leads to hell.  But sadly, many people settle for this cheap imitation.

The Strengthening of Statism- a disturbing trend is the rise in government responsibility and dependence.  Many people are looking to government to fulfill the role of God in their lives.  And this has given the government far too much power over our lives.  At first I favored the Patriot Act- like most Americans I wanted my fellow citizens to be safe and I had nothing to hide.  But I see the government intruding more and more upon our rights and freedoms.  And often for little to no gain.  Patting down old women and babies won’t win the war on terror.  Seeing them in a full body scan won’t either.  We, in the name of political correctness, have gone all about security in a foolish, money wasting fashion.  And once the government is responsible for something, it is loathe to give that freedom back.

The Polarization of America- There has always been a political divide in this country.  But things seem to be getting deeper and the patriotism of dissenters is quickly called into question.  I wasn’t too excited about that ploy to support Bush’s plans.  And now the other side of the aisle is using the same tactic to discredit Obama’s detractors.  We also see knee jerk reactions to events like the shooting here in Tucson and in Norway.  People jump to the conclusion, including elected officials like the sheriff of Pima county, that right-wing radicals and Christians are to blame for anything and everything.  We see this in politics as utterly unfounded charges of “dominionism” designed to stir up hatred and fear are particular candidates.

A Never-Ending War- The War on Terror is too nebulous.  A war on Al-Queda would be specific and attainable.  Sort of.  We’d know who we were aiming for, but since they are not a geo-political entity we really aren’t at war with a country.  We couldn’t just take out terrorists in foreign countries.  So we’ve invaded a few and can’t seem to get out.  The great mind Vizzini said it well just prior to his death:

“You fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders – The most famous of which is “never get involved in a land war in Asia” – but only slightly less well-known is this: “Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line”!

I’m glad OBL isn’t able to prosecute his war against”the Great Satan” anymore.  Are we going to spend the next 30 years kicking the Taliban out of Afghanistan repeatedly?  I’m glad Saddam is no longer able to torture and kill his own citizens or invade weaker countries to plunder their wealth (at least we aren’t doing that!).  But I’ve long thought the notion of democracy is largely lost upon Middle Eastern Islamic population who are taught to “submit”.  Blood and money are being spent for no sensible reason.

While 9/11 sometimes brought out the best in us, it often brought out the worst in us.  Evil often does that because it brings out what is really inside of us.  As image bearers there is dignity.  As sinners, there is evil.  But I can’t escape the thought that some people have used this event to take advantage of the American people under the guise of serving the American people.