A lot of people have done a lot of writing this past week. A lot of people have done a lot of talking this past week. I have been searching for the right words. The death of Osama bin Laden has been the topic of conversation since Sunday night and, as only we can do, we have found a way to let this divide us too. Many have talked about justice finally being served, while others have said this death should not be celebrated. Others have talked about closure and the healing this brings while others have worried about the potential repercussions.
As important as these issues are, and they are important, what has consumed me this past week is the question, "How do we, as people of faith, confront evil." Two things come to mind; first: Bonhoeffer. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was a pacifist, saw pure evil in Hitler and felt the need to stop this evil. He associated himself with a group that planned an assassination attempt on Hitler, an association that ultimately cost him his life. (If you dont know much about Bonhoeffer please look him up, he is a fascinating man that we need to know about.)
The second is Ephesians 6. Verses 10-20 speak of this battle against evil and our need to put on the full armor of God. I find this passage so helpful because it reminds us not to fight evil on our own but only with God's protection.
Now I am not offering any answers here but I am interested in your thoughts, how do we confront evil? Is there an evil that needs to be confronted? If there is, is it our job to confront it? And, what is the best way to carry that out?
I look forward to hearing from you.
See you in church,
Pastor Chris
Thursday, May 5, 2011
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