LOVING BIN LADEN


How’s that for a provocative title for a blog post? Rather jarring, don’t you think?

That’s what I thought when I picked up the March/April issue of “Mission Frontiers” to read when I was on vacation in Chicago. The full title was: “Loving bin Laden - What Does Jesus Expect Us To Do?” The idea seemed absurd...

But just a few lines into the first page editorial, something went haywire inside me. Things started spinning and I felt like I’d been punched in the stomach, or hit with a fist smack dab in my solar plexus. A profound conviction settled upon me as I continued to read, and a “shift” of seismic proportions jolted within me. I know this feeling; I’ve had it before. It’s the Holy Spirit speaking loudly and boldly to me: “Pay attention, Dan! This is very important!” And for the next few hours I responded intently to what I was reading, evaluating, reflecting intently, praying, facebooking and instant messaging people, and considering what all of this might mean in my areas of ministry--and for my own faith convictions.

Basically, I realized that this was not what I have been doing. I have not been loving “enemies” of any kind--personally or generally, locally or globally. Even more disturbing, I realized I have hardly been praying for them, if at all, and if I have, it has always been “negative” praying; more about protection from them, thwarting them, praying against them, their attitudes, and their actions. Even though Jesus’ injunction is quite unequivocal in Scripture (“I tell you: love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” Matt. 5:44), we always worm our way around this one, trying to soften and situationalize it, to do something "spiritually" with it, to justify why we do not love our enemies, and to make excuses why we can’t love them. “It’s impractical,” we say; “unrealistic, extreme, idealistic, not meant to be taken literally.” I have been as good as the next guy playing fast and loose with this expectation/dictate/ command of my Savior.


What was especially hard for me to realize was how different and far I have come from the convictions I once held regarding my “enemies.” In high school, leading up to the time I had to register for the draft at age 18 (yes, I am THAT old!), I agonized long and hard about war, killing, enemies, the use of violence, self-protection, etc. It was the late ‘60’s. Vietnam, civil rights, the Cold War, rebellion against authority and the “status quo”--you know what I’m talkin’ about--this was the environment in which I was growing up. Even in the Church, there were ripples of dissension, questioning, doubting, rethinking of ethical issues and belief, and so forth. However, when it came time to register for the draft, and to the possibility of having to kill our “enemies,” I simply could not square this with my faith/my relationship with Jesus. With the help of several pastors, counselors, friends, and reading sources, I realized that I would have to register as a conscientious objector. This was quite a process, requiring a paper that clearly stated my convictions, several letters from people that affirmed I was “sincere” in my beliefs, and a face to face encounter with the local draft board. I had to articulate my position with clarity, respond to “what if” scenarios (“what if” your family was about to be killed by a gunman in your home and the only way to protect your loved ones was to kill him first?”), be against all war (not just the Vietnam War--so then, what about Hitler, Pearl Harbor, World War II? And all of my family members who have served in the military?), and clarify how it is that God orders entire nations to be killed in the same Bible that declares: “love your enemies”?

I pressed ahead--and received my CO deferment without even going before the draft board! Somehow, my convictions spoke clearly and sincerely enough to the fact that I believed violent responses to enemies are immoral, unscriptural, ineffective, and un-Christlike; impossible behavior for those who truly love and follow Jesus. I still believe this...sort of, I guess...


Yet something has happened over the years. WIth the passage of time, through different experiences, fresh perspectives, having to rethink my convictions, and seeing issues in a new light, the harder, absolute, more literalistic approach to the teachings of Jesus that I had in my teenage years have softened and shifted. I understand life and faith differently now, with more maturity, realizing that many things are not as simple nor as black-and-white as I once thought. God is way bigger than I can figure out, and “His ways are not our ways.” There are complexities all around us, aren’t there? The Bible is very complex! We don’t take everything in it literally, by any means. Many of its teachings are irrelevant; transformed and fulfilled by Jesus Himself! Regarding our “enemies,” and war and defense and a government’s response to those who want to annihilate its citizens, self-defense is certainly appropriate--even Scriptural--is it not?


Then why did this issue of “Mission Frontiers” mess with me so profoundly? Why did I feel “checked” by Holy Spirit and convicted to start looking at my “enemies” through different eyes, and with a different heart? Clearly, something in my understanding and belief system was not quite in line with what Jesus would have me think and do. Reading the articles and perspective in this magazine was a moral checkup for me, and it has changed my heart, my intentions, and my behavior toward my “enemies” already. Especially in the realm of prayer: from now on, concern for the welfare and well-being of our “enemies” will be a continuing priority for Hilmar Covenant’s prayer ministry. It will be a way for us to be countercultural; perhaps to show our community and the world that there is another way--a better way--to live, to look at the world, to engage in relationships. Perhaps people will start asking questions about the ways we live out our faith in Christ, our understanding of Scripture, even worship. Loving our “enemies”...maybe it will even create such curiosity and interest in our church (that is, in our witness as people of faith) that people will be enticed and come to us, wanting to learn more, because the way of Jesus really does shake up the “status quo.”

In closing, let me share some of the parts of the magazine that touched my heart so deeply:

How does God want us to respond (to our “enemies”)? It might be natural for us to be fearful, but we are called to supernatural living. And fear is not part of supernatural living.

Carl (Medearis) and Ted (Dekker) have just released an exciting new book, “Tea With Hezbollah,” the incredible, heart-pounding account of their journeys in the Middle East to meet with a number of Muslim leaders whom many would likely call terrorists. Is it possible to love these kind of people with the love of Christ? To put our fears aside and to reach out to Muslims, especially Muslims in our midst? Do we care enough about these people to move outside of our comfort zones, conquer our fears, and bring the love of Christ to them in genuine friendship? It is the love of Christ that transforms lives, and it is the love of Christ that can transform the Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist worlds.

Jesus is welcome (by Muslims), but our Christianity is not. We must come to terms with the fact that our job is not to go around the world and force our versions of Christianity on people and “convert” them to our side. This is not a contest to see how many people we can get to become like us and join our “team.” Our job is to introduce them to Jesus and His love for them, and let the Holy Spirit guide them into following Jesus in their own unique way as they learn about Him from the Scriptures.

(face to face with the #2 man in Hezbollah) I knew why I was there: to visibly share the love Christ with an enemy. But was he actually my enemy? Did he personally want to harm me? I doubt it. Yet by most definitions he was the enemy of my people, Americans. Maybe even the enemy of Christians. And for sure the enemy of the Israelis. But how could I follow the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth to love my enemies if I never met any?

It’s one thing to ask Western Christians to follow Jesus and point out that one of the things he clearly said and taught was to love our enemies. It’s another thing altogether to make that teaching specific with an actual enemy. Like bin Laden. The question is a good one: what do we do with our actual, physical enemies (rather than our theoretical enemies), people who might want to kill us if they had the chance? Most Christians are left with only two choices, both political: the more “conservative” route of building a strong military case against our enemies, or the more “liberal” route of favoring diplomacy. But isn’t there a third way that’s actually more powerful, more pragmatic and therefore more effective? How about the way of Jesus? It’s not passive, not wimpy, but instead an incredibly compelling method that moves beyond mere dialogue to actual solutions. But because politicians and believers of all stripes don’t think this way of Jesus is very useful, it’s simply ignored.

(To leaders of Hezbollah, Hamas, the bin Laden brothers): What was Jesus’ most famous teaching? Most of them said: “To love your enemies.” We’d then ask: “So how is that goin’ for ya?” To which they’d respond: “Not very well because it’s not practical.” I assured them that unfortunately most of my American friends thought the same.

The three most common objections to loving our enemies:
1. “It sounds like pacifism, and I believe in the Just War theory.” But I am not speaking politically, so that argument simply becomes an excuse to not personally follow a direct command of Christ,
2. “It doesn’t take into account that there is real evil in this world and that some Muslims are, in fact, engaging in a jihad against the West.” While I agree that some Muslims have and will engage in clear and horrific acts of terror, it doesn’t follow that we should stop loving our enemies. In fact, this may be the best argument for loving them. Could it be that this is our best, and possibly only, weapon against potential future terrorists? That if they personally experience the love of Jesus from one of his followers, they would not engage in such activity? Very possibly.
3. “Love” doesn’t always work.” If we’re using love as a strategy to “get them”, then it won’t work. But if we love our enemies because God does, and if our hearts are soft toward them because we see God weeping over them, the effect is direct and powerful.

Three steps for employing the strategy of Jesus:
1. Take time to think about who your actual enemies are. Then engage that person emotionally and spiritually. Imagine what his or her life is like. Why are they the way they are? NOW PRAY FOR THEM. (emphasis mine!) Allow God to begin to place compassion and insight into your heart for that person, and to give you perspective.
2. Begin to ask God for a plan for meeting this person and talking to him or her. Make it real. Make it practical. PRAY that you will have the courage and the words to say what God gives you to say when the time comes.
3. Go. Across the street. Around the world.. But you have to go. It’s not rocket science for a reader like you. I’m guessing you’ve traveled before. This is simply one step further. You’re now going to meet an actual enemy.

To read the full issue or selected articles, click here: Loving Bin Laden

I’m convicted. I must “love my “enemies.” I’m not completely sure what this means or looks like, exactly. But certainly not the way I’ve been dealing with it and thinking about it in recent years. Most essentially, I am going to approach love of my “enemies” through prayer, enlisting a corps of people who are willing to commit to this new, different journey with me. If you want to join me, let me know. I know that prayer is powerful, that prayer changes things, and that Jesus told us to pray for our “enemies.” Sounds like a pretty sound prescription for positive, substantial change!

Jesus, show me the way......