New Youth Bible Study with Francis Chan plus Francis comments on the Christian reaction to the Osama Bin Laden news
Yesterday our team was in San Francisco to film teaching with Francis Chan for an upcoming youth Bible study resource called Surrender. We loved working with Francis last year on the Courage series. When it came time for our team to tackle this issue of Surrender it was our first choice to see if Francis would partner with us again.
The tag line for this Bible study is Others before self. Christ above all. It will address surrendering our stuff, our status, our sin and ultimately our self. Our culture tells us that we should only look out for ourselves. The idea of surrendering is usually only talked about when a bad guy surrenders to the good guys in the movies or on the news. But as Christians isn’t that what we are called to do too? We are the “bad guys” (sinners) and we can continue to try to fight our way through … or we can surrender to the “good Guy” and let him take over.
We hope the Surrender Bible study is a great resource for pastors to inspire and encourage the students in their youth ministry. It will be released this August.
The night before our filming with Francis is when news broke of Osama Bin Laden’s assassination. Twitter and Facebook exploded with comments both rejoicing the death of this tyrant and warning Christians against getting smug. I have always appreciated Francis’ attention to scripture and living Biblically … so I asked him for his thoughts on recent news events.
Here’s what he had to say …
I’m excited about the new study for youth!! Just finished Francis’ Crazy Love study with our students.
On Francis’ comments about Bin Laden – although I don’t rejoice in his torment in Hell, I do rejoice in our victory and justice. I too was having trouble with some of the reactions but a friend recently posted something on FB and it caused me to consider all of scripture. For example in I Samuel, Israel, “arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines” when David slew Goliath. In Esther, the Jews “celebrated with gladness and feasting” after the victory God granted them over adversaries. God is in control. I’ve NO problem thanking God for guiding/protecting Navy Seals and our military in their execution of justice.
I don’t think it is proper to rejoice, because we, the United States are not without fault in this case. What about the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and its outright murdering of innocent civilian Afgans? “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfulled.” (2Cor. 10:4-6, NKJV) “For our stuggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph.6:12, NIV)
We a sinner goes into eternity un-redeemed, it is a loss, not a victory. Sure, governments must do what they do, but we serve the King of Kings, and His battles are fought for different purposes for different outcomes. Let’s not forget our purpose of existence on this earth–to glorify God through winning lost sinners, like Osama Bin Laden to the obedience of Christ.
Well-said, Michelle. I was conflicted in seeing the “USA, USA” celebrations. But I love your examples of God’s people celebrating when evil is defeated. USA, USA, USA! Thanks.
I praise God’s justice being served and the U.S. military being his chosen tool for applying it. However, my spirit is burdened to change hearts early in life, while children and teens around the world still have the opportunity to turn to Christ and away from violence and anger. Consider if, as a child, Bin Laden had been reached for Christ… could he have been reached? Only God knows, but what if… Thanks to all of you who are shepherding and praying for our youth. Again, God knows the impact of your work and prayers. – Blessings to those who serve our country and our youth. God protect and keep you in His care.
Ron, don’t blame the US Army for the actions of a few. It’s horrible, but it happens in every major war. I don’t believe any true Christian would ever take part in such a thing, so these men were and may be still ‘in their sin’, and hopefully they will be redeemed before their eternity begins. I agree and I would have rejoiced if Bin Laden had repented and accepted Jesus as his Savior, but of course he would have been tortured and beheaded promptly for such an action, but just think of his reward…not 70 virgins. He maybe could have been like Saul of Tarsus, but unfortunately he lived and died by the ‘sword’, a choice he made.
Dear Reverend Chan:
I wholeheartedly agree. We must not rejoice in iniquity. We must yield Spiritually to the Love of Jesus in every way in conformity with the commandments, the most apropos of which, here, is “thou shalt not kill.” That commandment makes any participation in this assassination and any approval of it, an act against the Will of God and a sin.
God is pure love and unlimited forgiveness. We must, as ambassadors of Christ, walk in love and forgiveness toward anyone, including Osama Bin Laden and his cohorts, who caused or contributed to cause any American deaths on September 11, 2001.
There is no gray area with God. There is only Godly Love or Satanic hate/revenge. The Holy Spirit leads us only one way: along the path of pure love and forgiveness, especially toward Osama Bin Laden.
Hallelujah for your message of Love and Forgiveness! There is no other Godly reaction!
Sincerely yours,
Caleb Boone
Hays, Kansas.