A New Message?

I heard some guys talking today about the recent tornadoes and the damage and loss of life they have caused, a few weeks back throughout the south and most recently through Missouri. No one can deny how devastating weather has been this year. But a comment by one of them made me think. He said "Somebody's trying to tell us something". The implication is that God is trying to warn mankind about impending doom. I have heard that a lot. But is He really?

Hebrews 1:2 tells us that in these last days God has spoken to us by His Son. What that means is that God has made His message clear. If it wasn't clear when He spoke through the prophets (Heb. 1:1), it is clear now, because He has spoken by His Son, Jesus Christ. There is nothing else to say.

It is also worth mentioning that Christ spoke on this subject. In Luke 21:11, Jesus says:

There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

These things, He says, will happen as the end approaches. So, now that we see terrible events such as tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc. that leave a trail of death and destruction in their unforgiving paths, we shouldn't think that God is all of the sudden trying to tell us something.

These events are tragic, but I don't think it is God clearing His throat as if to wake us up. That's why Christ came. That's why His words are final. But, I could be wrong.

Was Killing Bin Laden Just?

The past few days have been filled with commentary on the killing of Usama Bin Laden, the terrorist behind the 9/11 attack on the US. Was the killing just or unjust? Should Christians rejoice in the killing of man who was filled with such violence and hatred?

Tonight I heard an interview with Edward Beck, a Catholic Priest and "religious" contributor to various news outlets. Beck indicated his frustration with the rejoicing and jubilation over the death of Bin Laden. Beck also continued, "killing one man (bin laden) is not justice. If you want justice then you would have to kill 3000." Beck was insinuating that for those who feel justice has been served by Bin Laden's death, there would need to be a one to one killing that had to take place.

Beck's whole argument was based on his misunderstanding of the justice of God. He seemingly has no concept or understanding of God's justice and blurs the lines for those who hear him. Beck indicated that a Christian should never condone killing and that as Christians, we are called to "love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us."

Although Beck is correct in his statement, he is way off in his understanding. Christ command to love and pray does not negate the penalty of sin and God's establishment of governmental authority to bring justice (Romans 13). God established the penalty for taking a human life in Genesis 9:5-6 and contrary to what many would want to believe, Christ did not undo this call for justice. Christ established His church and commanded that they be submissive to governmental authorities and the apostle Paul reiterated this in Romans 13. Our governments have been given the authority to wield the sword for our own protection and benefit.

I would agree with Beck that we should not rejoice of the destruction of a man, but we must not neglect rejoicing in the justice of God being fulfilled. Dr. John Piper wrote an excellent piece on this on the Desiring God blog (click here).

As Christians we do not rejoice in the destruction of the wicked, but we do rejoice in the satisfaction and justice of God.

Alabama Tornado Relief

Many have inquired about how they can donate to assist the local relief efforts in the aftermath of this past weeks devastating Tornado's. These donations will be sent directly to Camp Branch Baptist Church and will be used to purchase much needed relief items in the areas local to Camp Branch (Tuscaloosa / Birmingham areas).

Most Needed Items:
Chap Stick
Tarps
Towels
Plastic Tubs for Storage

Click Here to Donate