Author	Thread: Question: How should Christians react to the death of evil people?"
Admin	Question: How should Christians react to the death of evil people?" Posted : 6 May, 2011 10:16 AM This is taken from www.gotquestions.org Answer: With the recent death of Osama bin Laden, many Christians are wondering how they should feel about such an event. Are we to rejoice/celebrate when evil people die / are killed? Interestingly, the authors of the Bible seem to have struggled with this issue as well, with different perspectives being presented in different passages. First, there is Ezekiel 18:23, ��As surely as I live,� declares the Lord God, �I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.�� Clearly, God does not take pleasure in the death of evil people. Why is this? Why wouldn�t a holy and righteous God take pleasure in evil people receiving the punishment they deserve? Ultimately, the answer would have to be that God knows the eternal destiny of evil people. God knows how horrible eternity in the lake of fire will be. Similar to Ezekiel 18:23, 2 Peter 3:9 states that God is �not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.� So, in terms of the eternal destiny of evil people, no, we should not rejoice at their eternal demise. Hell is so absolutely horrible that we should never rejoice when someone goes there. Second, there is Proverbs 11:10, �When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.� This seems to be speaking of the death of evil people in an earthly/temporal sense. When there are fewer evil people in the world, the world is a better place. We can rejoice when justice is done, when evil is defeated. A mass murderer being removed from the world is a good thing. God has ordained governments (and the military) as instruments of judgment against evil. When evil people are killed, whether in the judicial system via the death penalty, or whether through military means, it is God�s justice being accomplished (Romans 13:1-7). For justice being done, and for evil people being removed from this world, yes, we can rejoice. There are many other scriptures that could be discussed (Deuteronomy 32:43; Job 31:29; Psalm 58:10; Proverbs 17:5, 24:17-18; Jeremiah 11:20; Ezekiel 33:11), but Ezekiel 18:23 and Proverbs 11:10 are likely sufficient to help us achieve this difficult biblical balance. Yes, we can rejoice when evil is defeated, even if that includes the death of evil people. Ridding the world of evil people is a good thing. At the same time, we are not to rejoice at the eternal condemnation of evil people. God does not desire that evil people spend eternity in the lake of fire, and He definitely does not rejoice when they go there. Neither should we. Post Reply
View Profile History	Question: How should Christians react to the death of evil people?" Posted : 6 May, 2011 03:26 PM How should Christians react to the death of evil people?" The scriptures listed in the Article are spot on...the question of How { Should }...every person is unique & has differant ways of expressing Feelings & Reactions...My self..." I am relieved & joyful that a Evil Terrorist has been Delivered into the hands of Peace Keepers {USA/Seals} for the betterment of Humanity "...These Wars & Terrorisims have gone on for Ages in the Middle East & Holy Land of Israel...Its sad this has to happen...Its all in Gods hands & timing...xo Post Reply
View Profile History	Question: How should Christians react to the death of evil people?" Posted : 6 May, 2011 04:54 PM There was a lot of talk about this and how a Christian should react to the news of Bin Laden's death [in a Christian way], especially since Scripture seems to support both rejoicing over the death of the wicked and the fact that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. My personal feeling on it was that I rejoiced in the fact that there would be no more death at Bin Laden's hand, but could not rejoice that he has most likely realized there is a hell for the wicked and there is no Allah to pat him on the back for all the deaths he caused in the name of Allah. To know that someone has passed into eternity without the Lord is a very heart heavy feeling. Post Reply
View Profile History	Question: How should Christians react to the death of evil people?" Posted : 6 May, 2011 07:11 PM Opps their twins!...lol I answered the wrong one. Post Reply
View Profile History	Question: How should Christians react to the death of evil people?" Posted : 6 May, 2011 07:33 PM "I will mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." ~ Martin Luther King Jr Post Reply
View Profile History	Question: How should Christians react to the death of evil people?" Posted : 7 May, 2011 01:21 PM A very interesting case brother... I believe that we must turn to the NT primarily in order to get it right. Significant parts of the mentality described in the OT were fitted into the theocratical system of the Old Covenant - where killing in God's name was obligatory and willed by God himself. As such, I would say that the mentality reflected by Jesus and the Apostles represent the New Covenant which we are part of. Personally, I have been praying for Osama bin Laden from time to time, that he may come to faith in Jesus. It may seem that this has not happened, but we cannot know for sure. In general therefore, I do not see that we as Christians should rejoice over anyone's death, when talking about the spiritual sense. Despite that, it is highly likely that the death of people like bin Laden, Hitler and Mao were fortunate for the lives of many people around the world - that is; those who had not yet been killed by them. Post Reply