I wanted to reflect a bit more on the very recent killing of Osama Bin Laden. This time I thought I would try to broaden the scope out a bit. Do 
you believe that someone like OSL could get “saved?” What would’ve happened if Osama Bin Laden became a born again Christian, repented, and began evangelistic work in the tribal areas and hills of Pakistan and Afghanistan? We know Bin Laden’s record, we know that heΒ was driven (as a consistent Muslim following in the footsteps of Mohammed) by a “supernatural” desire to wipe out the Gentile “Christian Nation of America” (for him this seemed a greater desire than wiping out Israel, although I’m sure they were a close second). We know that he was zealous for his Muslim beliefs, and that although apparently dying behind one of his wives as a human shield, he died the only death that guarantees him a place in paradise (a martyr’s death). We know that OBL masterminded 9/11 (unless you’re a “Truther”), we know that he was guilty for crimes against humanity; he was a man who hunted down infidels, with a “divine” drive to wipe them off the face of the map. And in many ways he was successful in accomplishing his goals, often and mostly just through the disruption he has caused both domestically and abroad for AmericaΒ — both economically and socially. But what if OBL would haveΒ become “saved?” What if he hadΒ experienced a beatific vision of Jesus, repented, and gave his life to spreading the Gospel all over the middle-east? That would have been amazing! Unfortunately that didn’t happen, at least not with Osama Bin Laden.
Although this kind of conversion did happen to a man very much so like Osama Bin Laden. A man from the middle-east; a man driven by a divine mandate to wipe out unbelievers and perverters of the truth of Judaism off the face of the map; a man who had sanction from the religious leadership amongst his community of faith. This man stood in support and facilitated the stoning of Christian people, he had them arrested, beaten, tortured, and who knows what else. He believed that he was finding favor with God for his efforts; his efforts to wipe Christians off the face of this earth! I’m sure you know who I am referring to by now, sure you do; this man’s name was Saul, converted to, and better known as the Apostle Paul (you can read about the specifics of his story, if you’re unaware, in Acts 7ff esp. 8).
Isn’t it amazing to contemplate what the grace of God can do in a “mad-man’s” life!
Check out Scot McKnight’s blog for the day..sure you’ll be interested in it! I tried to do an alternative Reformed position some justice in the limits of the space I had there by laying out how I differ from TULIP in significant ways. And I gave you some love by pointing people here for an explanation of alternative, evangelical Calvinism. I have to admit it is frustrating that Scot is implicitly painting Calvinism in a particularly narrow way by examining Stewart’s book. Stewart doesn’t mention TFT or Gunton..and has one mention of Barth! Seriously?
Yes of course. I’ll trump that and raise you 2: What if, under assault, cowering behind the desk he realized that he was the sinner, that the Christians he had killed were right, and Jesus is Lord. What if in a scant moment, he said in his heart “Jesus remember me, when you come into your kingdom”. Then, with the onslaught and the hail of bullets, he quickly forgot the Lord who (in scenario) saved him, grabbed the woman for a shield (if that is not an urban legend) and died shamefully. In my opinion, although I’m right, such a person would be received into heaven. He may have flames licking at his feet as the doors are slammed behind him, still he would be one of our brothers.
So what is the point? That a murderer should not be killed?
I remember a Christian woman on death row in Texas. She had repented while in prison, and several prominent Christians came to then Governor George W. Bush to ask to have her sentence commuted. I have no doubt (almost no doubt) that this person was a Christian who died well in the Lord. In Her case her death was tragic. I doubt that the Governor was happy to sign her death warrant. Still, that is the value of human life. That is one of the guarantors of the valuation of human life on this Earth, until the Lord returns, that if a man should take anothers life, that that man’s life should be forfeit. Besides, if the Governor had made an exception in her case, every death row inmate would have feigned a conversion, and none would have actually come to grips with their guilt, as did by the way the thief on the cross.
Someone with as much innocent blood on his hands (I know, there is no such thing as innocent) as OBL must where-ever possible go down to his grave in blood, and we should be satisfied at (in this case) the justice of God. If he was not saved, certainly God does not take joy in his death resulting in the final judgement, but there is satisfaction. “He will take those miserable sinners and destroy them and let His vineyard out to someone who will render to Him his due.”
Unless Saved/Reprobate be true: then we can always rejoice. We can throw a party on every occasion because God’s will from the foundation of the earth has been done. In that case, the world trade center was destroyed according to God’s will: PARTY!….. Perhaps thousands of the victims were born to burn in Hell. Party! and of course OBL was created to show God’s glory by mingling saved and reprobate blood and skin and hair and bone in the slurry of concrete that fell in Lower Manhattan. Rejoice therefore!
I’m glad you asked this question!
While Saul/Paul’s conversion did not bring on the organized judicial consequences of the state for his violent crimes (since his brutal actions were actually backed by the ‘powers that were’), it would be foolish to think he escaped divine justice in his earthly life (SEE 2 Corinthians 11:23-27). I believe Paul was allowed to “suffer many things” for the name of Christ in a way few have had to, as a way to offset the lack of a human justice system holding him accountable for his crimes. The beautiful thing is that Paul accepted these apparent consequences for a violent past, both willingly and with humility. All was endurable because his eye was on a greater grace!
If OBL had accepted Christ, he would have made an incredibly powerful teacher and witness for the gospel of grace, there is no doubt. But I believe, like Paul, he would have had a similar acceptance of the need for justice and would have turned himself in under the current context of law and order. It’s hard to imagine the world allowing him to repent of vast bloodshed without requiring the just and earthly consequences for his actions, and in all honesty, it’s hard to imagine a transformed man of God allowing it much thought either. Whether saved or unsaved, these earthly consequences would be just, and the world could rejoice in justice satisfied. The difference in our hypothetical situation of a “saved” OBL is that, by turning himself in, he would have been rejoicing in justice with us! And perhaps that would have been the greatest testimony of all.
NO!!! You are romanticizing the prime incarnation of the demonic for our generation!!!!
Fantastic contemplation Bobby! I haven’t said much to anyone concerning Bin Laden’s death at all…I have really been contemplating this whole situation…How am I to respond to everyone, Christians and those who aren’t, Scripturally and in the Spirit of Christ? It is easy for us to take a passage of Scripture and justify our position, but I am really looking to go beyond that…I am really looking to dialogue with Christians about issues like these…How do we respond as Christians Scripturally and in the Spirit of Christ? I believe that this is where a Trinitarian (EC) approach is of vital importance because everything is centered in and flows from the Lord Jesus Christ…These are just some of my thoughts..
In His Great Love and Mercy,
Chris Singer
What a wonderful comparison…….thank you.
@Randy,
Thanks for the head’s up, and link love there at McKnight’s; much appreciated brother! I don’t think many folks “get it” or “want to,” with nuance actually available in the “tradition.” Oh well, we’ll just keep pressin’ on π !
@Duane,
My point was more simple. Just that we’re all sinners! And that salvation is possible for all, even Osama if he were still alive. This post didn’t really have anything to say about Just War/Pacifism or the actual killing of OBL.
@Josh T.,
Great point, in fact I think your qualification should be an addendum on the post; I thought about what OBL would really do if he really would’ve become Christian (or should’ve i.e. turn himself in — that would have been a huge huge testimony of God’s grace!). I agree with you, I’m sure there are plenty of things that followed the Apostle Paul. Also, I know that the parallel I was trying to draw certainly breaks down at points. The primary point, which you catch well, is that both OBL, Saul/Paul, Bobby, Josh, Randy, Duane, Kenneth, Chris, JIM, etc. are all sinners needing a Savior; and all sinners for whom Christ died!
@Kenneth,
I don’t think so! Instead of minimizing/romanticizing evil I’m highlighting the magnitude and depth of who Jesus is in His demonstrated love at the cross. Plus, I don’t buy the idea that OBL incarnated the demonic for our generation; he’s just a symbol a foot soldier for a demonic idea adhered to by a billion people in this world (Islam . . . if you haven’t spend some time studying the life of Mohammed, and check out how this idea of radical Islam and moderate is a farce). Anyway, I don’t agree with you at all!! Maybe if I followed the idea that there are sub-human reprobates out in the world for whom Christ died, then I could go along with you; but remember this is the Evangelical Calvinist blog π .
@Chris,
Amen. It’s always good to be thoughtful, which is why it’s also good to not have a blog at points π . I agree, a Trinitarian theology of God “as” love, and a vicarious humanity in Christ; allows us to talk in a way that centers everything in Christ (that Christ is Supreme over all, death and life Col 1.15ff), and allows us to think in christological/theological ways that recognizes that Christ died for everyone, loves everyone, and that there is no dualism between righteousness/evil; there’s an asymmetry there, and Christ’s cross far outshadows the evil of even someone like OBL. I think folks fear coming to terms with their own potential for evil and wickedness; but if they take serious the idea of the vicarious substitution of Christ at the cross, then this won’t pose an issue for them. Great thoughts, Christ! Glad you’ve found the “Trinitarian faith,” brother! π
@JIM,
Glad you found it helpful!