My colleague and friend Greg Ward wrote this in an email about the celebration of justice, especially with reference to the commission/ministry of the civil magistrate; he was responding to those who hold that we cannot celebrate the just execution of Osama bin Laden:
Actually Rom 13 is the crux of the argument. The question isn't whether or not the people of God (in either the OT or now) should celebrate the meting out of justice. The question is whether or not the event in question is just. Romans 13 doesn't have to mention celebrating justice, it needs only clarify how God meets out justice in the period between Christ's coming and his return.
God has given the sword to the governments of the world. When those governments properly wield the sword for justice, it is cause for celebration, clearly what the OT passages have in mind. When the government wields the sword for injustice, it is not. The OT is replete with examples of the King of Judah/Israel, the chosen mediator of God's justice wielding the sword for all the wrong reasons, and it was unjust, and prophets were sent to address the issue. The issues really weren't any plainer then than they are now.
So, when an event takes place, the question is, was justice properly meted out by a proper authority. For example there have been "Christians" that have bombed abortion clinics, or killed abortion doctors. This is not just, and it is no cause for celebration. On the flip side, our government has made abortion legal, which is also not just. Again no cause for celebration.
However, when our government pursues a terrorist that has acknowledged and even celebrated his part in heinous crimes, and brings him to justice . . this is proper justice, properly meted out, by a proper authority. It is the way God intends it to work, and unfortunately it seems a fairly rare event these days. It is an appropriate time to celebrate that God has meted out his justice through the government. Further, this is actually the celebration of life you mention. If there is no joy in justice, how will there be joy in heaven?
Greg
4 comments:
Most of the people I've heard from who responded with sadness to this event were not only concerned with the celebrations, but with the question of whether the event was just. Was it just that he was killed with no trial, no evidence, and no process? Is "collateral damage" in the form of a dead woman who (likely?) had little or no role in the events just?
As for the celebrations, it would be enlightening to take the video from the celebrations after 9/11 and the celebrations yesterday and study the similarities and differences.
The religious service for his burial was such a touching and sensitive jesture of good will. Was it just?
No evidence? You're kidding right?
No process? Do you suppose that justice is limited to the court system with no role for the military in a war situation? This is a war my friend. It was a fire fight.
Compare the celebrations? Yes, do that. And while you're at it, compare the reasons for the celebrations - that's the point. Dancing over the murder of 3000+ non combatants and dancing over the execution of the man who planned and funded the murders of the 3000. Got it? There's a difference my friend.
JT, if you do not think this was just, then by all means do not celebrate it. In fact, even if you do think it was just, you don't have to celebrate it. But, I would encourage you to think carefully about whether or not you really think this was an unjust act.
1. I think Cassidy and I have already demonstrated this meets the appropriate Biblical criteria for justice.
2. The only other thing that might make it unjust would be if the actions of Obama and our soldiers were unjust according to the laws and constitution of our government. I am not a lawyer, but Obama is. And I seriously doubt you will find anything illegal about this given that bin Laden (a foreigner) conspired an act of war on American soil against non-combatants. These are exactly the kind of situations we have a military and CIC for.
3. Further, if you are saying this was unjust, you are essentially saying Obama, the soldiers that executed the mission, and everyone in the chain of command are guilty of (or accessories to) murder, or perhaps manslaughter . . . no small accusation. There's really no middle ground here. It is either a just act, or a heinous criminal one.
Greg
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