You know what we hate here in America? We hate us some grey. Say all you want about our public doctrine of tolerance, on a individual level we tend to live in extremes of black and white. Even the most uber PC devotee falls into definitive positions when confronted by issues they take personally. You are either a Republican or Democrat. You like Leno or Letterman. Pull for the Bosox or Yankees. Coke or Pepsi. We love to take sides and don't care for fence sitters. Nothing has demonstrated this to me more than my Facebook feed in the last forty eight hours.
The news that Bin Laden is dead as a result of U.S. Military action created a deluge of posts as people rushed to share their thoughts and feelings about the death of the most wanted man in the world. Not one post with ambivalent. I saw posts that rejoiced in his death and relished the idea that he is burning in hell. I saw posts the admonished Christians that we shouldn't celebrate a death. I saw posts that were anti-Semitic and some that pro-Israel. (not sure how they applied) I read a horrific one that suggested Americans have no right to judge Bin Laden because the deaths from abortion far outweigh his crimes. (That's not even comparing apples and oranges. That's like comparing apples and ... head lice. They don't belong in the same conversation and if brought up together it makes ya kinda queasy) No matter what the sentiment, that black or white mentality shone through. And I have to tell you, I found it troubling.
As a follower of Jesus, I've come to realize that, while the Bible does take definitive stands on absolute moral issues, it is also filled with paradox. The idea that two equal but seemingly opposite things could be true is baffling to Western minds. How can God be One and yet Three? That sounds like a stretch. They can't both be true...can they? The Bible teaches yes. A quick Google search will reveal plenty more seemly irreconcilable concepts in the Bible. Many times with Scripture it is not either-or, it's both. We have a real hard time with this. It has certainly been apparent in our response to Bin Laden. How can we celebrate the death of an evil man and yet love our enemy? You have to choose one, right? Well, maybe not.
Let me encourage you to embrace the power of paradox. The same God who challenged us to turn the other cheek accepted credit and worship when Israel slaughtered their enemies. Both things were appropriate and, from a biblical perspective, both were true. In this case, as well as with Bin Ladan, I would suggest that it is good to rejoice in the destruction of evil yet not allow hatred to take root in your heart. I can recoil in horror when faced with the possibility of a life lost for eternity and, simultaneously, want to high five the Seal team that brought justice on a murderer. Both equal, both true.
So let's apply a little of that highly publisized American open-mindedness to the paradox of the Christian life. It will shatter the box that you have so conviently put God into and will expand your ability to accept His work in your life. Plus it might calm a few of you down. In all honesty, some of you guys are freaking me out.
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