How Should Christians Respond in Wake of Terrorist Attacks?
Dr. Rex M. Rogers
No one knows whether the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001, and its aftermath will result in a spiritual sea-change in American culture. The question at the moment is how will people respond? Will Americans turn to biblical Christianity, or will they react in a more postmodern fashion, grasping for answers in the vague spiritualism of contemporary culture?
God may use this tragedy and the tenderness and openness it has produced in American hearts to bring about an "awakening" of interest in Christ and Christianity. American history has seen this occur before, and no biblical reason exists for why it couldn't happen again.
Death is the ultimate undeniable reality. This current demonstration of human depravity claimed the lives of more Americans in one event on one day than any other in American history. The tragedy has literally shaken people to the core of their spiritual beings. American military might was at least temporarily shown ineffective. The twin icons of American capitalism were literally brought down. A terrorist "arrow" struck "The Big Apple," in a manner heretofore inconceivable. Thousands of innocents died.
People are searching for meaning. "God" is once again a name, not just a curse on national television. The Bible is not only being read at length but is being broadcast around the world in service after service. Christianity, systematically ignored by media in recent days, now rings loud and clear through the voices of survivors or their loved ones as God once again demonstrates that He has "His remnant" in every place. So the Truth of biblical Christianity is being proclaimed.
Will people respond to this Truth? Or will people follow the morally relativistic notions of this "New Age" and seek to patch together their own answers ? create their own meaning?
"Syncretism" is the name of the religious game today. We don't "receive and believe" our religious convictions. We "build" our religious convictions, one belief at a time, a little bit of this and a little bit of that. America is no longer a secular nation (actually, it never was), but a nation given to religiosity as diverse as its people. In this postmodern mode, Americans want spirituality but are not at all concerned that one tenet of their faith may be contradictory to another. What matters is that "I have faith (in whatever) and my religious views work for me."
In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, we've seen both: Americans turning to the infinite God of biblical Christianity, as well as the Sovereign Living God and Americans turning to the finite gods of counterfeit faiths. Where American spiritual responses go from here, only God knows.
For Christians in this Christ-starved culture, there is spiritual responsibility
and opportunity:
- Take great care not to claim an "insider" knowledge about
God's purposes by saying, "Lo, God is doing this," or "Lo, God is doing that." Remember Romans 11:33-34, "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" - Be glad when the Bible is presented, even if it is shared by one with
whom you
disagree. Remember Philippians 1:18, "But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice." - Be prepared to speak about your faith. Remember 1 Peter 3:15, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
No one knows the future, that is, except God. Our task as Christians is not to worry about the details of emerging history as much as to evidence trust in the God of history. Show searching people Christ's love, then show them His truth. A culture's spiritual sea-change begins with one changed heart.
