The latest act of domestic terrorism last week at Ft. Hood, Texas had a distinctly international-jihadist look to it. And no few people, myself included, wondered if there just might be a connection between the religion of the gunman and his savage act. Well, I don't want to be unfair, or worse misrepresent the Gospel. And, in the interest of fairness, I need to say that Islam does not hold exclusive rights to violent extremism. Christians, or at least some who claim that title, also go off and commit heinous crimes. Like fundamentalists and radical pro-lifers who shoot doctors or blow-up abortion clinics to stop the killing of unborn babies. Sorry, but that's just as wrong as what happened at Ft. Hood, in fact in my eyes even more wrong because it's supposedly done in the name of Jesus. While Allah may be pleased with the shedding of infidel blood, and followers of Mohammad may believe they are purchasing passage to paradise by flying a commercial airliner into the World Trade Towers, no Christian does the will of God when motivated by blind hate or rage.
Oh, we need to be willing to take up arms, and to die if need be, to defend freedom. And we need to both promote and practice moral values rooted in the Bible and the life and person of Jesus Christ. But we had better not forget that forgiveness, grace, and mercy figure prominently in a life of discipleship.
While I have a decidedly conservative and biblical worldview, it would be an offense to my Lord and a defamation of his Gospel to preach death to Muslims because their religion is false. While I know that same-sex "marriage" is clearly and consistently condemned and forbidden by the Word of God, I also know that it is also a sin to treat anyone who is in bondage to that life with any less compassion, love, and respect than I would my own family.
Oh, we need to be willing to take up arms, and to die if need be, to defend freedom. And we need to both promote and practice moral values rooted in the Bible and the life and person of Jesus Christ. But we had better not forget that forgiveness, grace, and mercy figure prominently in a life of discipleship.
Major Hasan should be tried for his crime, and when found guilty he should suffer the penalty for what he did. Such penalty could mean his execution. If so, it would not be an act of vengeance, but of justice. Mercy may intercede and spare his life. But only the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ can save his soul. I pray that before the day of his execution, should that day come, that the Major would come to know the Lord. Should that happen he might, with his last words, confess his guilt, yet claim the mercy of God by virtue of the blood of Jesus, and express a desire to live for his Savior while acknowledging that he willingly accepts the justice of his execution.
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