President Obama announced tonight that Osama bin Laden, leader of the group responsible for the September 11 attacks, was killed during an operation in Pakistan.
"On nights like this one, we can say that justice has been done.'' He emphasized Al Qaeda's distinctions from Islam. "The United States is not and never will be at war with Islam." Here's a transcript of the address.
It wasn't long before some Christians began tweeting about Rob Bell's ideas by wondering whether Osama bin Laden is in hell. Here's a sample of some other Christian pastors, bloggers, tweeters' reactions on Twitter along the themes of celebration/justice:
Derek Webb: don't celebrate death, celebrate justice
Jared Wilson "the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies." (2 Chron. 20:27). #prooftextingiseasy #theologynotsomuch
Ed Stetzer: Now that bin Laden is gone, can we have our civil liberties back, send home the #TSA and restore the 4th Amendment?
Esther Fleece: What's up with Christians tweeting verses like they are fortune cookies? This is not a simple discussion.
Eugene Cho: May the world be united in pursuing peace. Blessed are the peacemakers.
Jordan Sekulow: Crank this up as you celebrate the termination of bin Laden http://t.co/N7K9X8u
Cameron Strang: I was with the president in the East Room 13 days ago with some Christian leaders. A tad less significant than what happened there tonight.
Caryn Rivadeneira: Proud to be an American. Proud of the US special forces. Glad to see justice served. Not a fan of the cheering crowds.
Abraham Piper: Osama Bin Laden is dead? I want to see the long-form death certificate.
Rachel Held Evans: Trying to keep in mind that how I respond to the death of my enemies says as much about me as it does about my enemies.
Mark Driscoll: The cheering crowds remind us that justice is glorious & comes ultimately through Jesus cross or hell. Justice wins http://ow.ly/4KUXP
Update:
Mark Tooley sent CT the following statement:
"All persons of good will can rejoice that the U.S. military has successfully ended Osama bin Laden's career of terror. Sadly, since 9-11, many church voices have insisted that Christianity mandates pacifism. Hopefully there will be greater appreciation for The Church's historic stance that God ordained the state to punish the wicked."
Justin Taylor: The Government's Sword as an Instrument of God's Wrath | "[A governing authority] 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 13:4
CT did a cover story in 2002 on "Islam a religion of peace?"
