Miroslav Volf reflects on the fear and relief reactions of the killing of Osama bin Laden:
Fear and relief
In the Christian Century’s “Century Blog” by Miroslav Volf
As I listened to President Obama’s calmly triumphant announcement that Osama bin Laden had been killed and “justice has been served”–and to the reports of celebrations in American streets–I tried to sort out my own responses to the surprising news. Throughout the morning, my inbox filled with e-mails from friends near and far. These reactions, unlike those of the U.S. government and most Americans, were more ambivalent.
A friend at Yale reminded me of Proverbs 24:17, Ezekiel 33:11 and Matthew 5:44, adding this:
After 9/11 I found it very hard to bring myself to pray for Usama bin Laden. But by God’s grace I did because Jesus said I must. And though I am tempted to rejoice today, I will not because Jesus said I must not.