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"The evil in human history is regarded as the consequence of man's wrong use of his unique capacities," Reinhold Niebuhr wrote 50 years ago. "The wrong use is always due to some failure to recognize the limits of his capacities of power, wisdom, and virtue . …The God of the Bible is, like Zeus, 'jealous.' But his jealousy is aroused not by the achievement of culture and civilization. Divine jealousy is aroused by man's refusal to observe the limits of his freedom."

We are not to cease fighting terrorism with all the power, wisdom, and virtue at our disposal. But ultimately it is not terrorism we should fear.

"For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me," wrote Isaiah, "and warned me not to walk in the way of the people, saying, 'Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall regard as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread' " (8:11-13).

A people who imagines that the worst thing that could happen is a massive anthrax attack has a limited imagination. Likewise, a nation that thinks the path to security is based on genius and creativity is a nation on the path of self-destruction.

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

The website for the Department of Homeland Security has more information on U.S. response to terrorism and more.

Six Nightmares: Real Threats in a Dangerous World and How American Can Meet Them is available at Amazon.com.

Christianity Today essays on Christian response to terrorism and the events of September 11 include:

Ten Things We Should Have Learned Since September 11, 2001We can't turn a blind eye to Islam, evangelism, heroism, and our Christian calling. (Sept. 10, 2002)

White-Powder WorriesThe anthrax scare has put us on edge. How shall we deal with wartime fears. (November 11, 2001)

Judgment DayGod promised that calamity would follow disobedience. So why are we quick to dismiss it as a reason for the September 11 attacks? (Sept. 25, 2001)

Now What?A Christian response to religious terrorism. (Sept. 21, 2001)

To Embrace the EnemyIs reconciliation possible in the wake of such evil? (Sept. 21, 2001)

After the Grave in the AirTrue reconciliation comes not by ignoring justice nor by putting justice first, but by unconditional embrace. (Sept. 21, 2001)

Books & Culture Corner: The Imagination of Disaster"We thought we were invulnerable." Really? (Sept. 17, 2001)

Taking It PersonallyWhat do we do with all this anger? (Sept. 14, 2001)

When Sin ReignsAn event like this shows us what humans are capable of becoming—both as children of darkness and of light. (Sept. 13, 2001)

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September 9 2002, Vol. 46, No. 10