Theological Reflections on September 11, 2001

By Ed Robinson

The events of 9-11, and other major crises, stimulate the deepest kinds of questions. These are most often theological questions because they are asked in the context of wondering where God is and what role God plays (or doesn’t play) in these kinds of crises. While these questions are often beyond “answers,” they do require careful theological reflection on the part of pastors who are called on to speak words of perspective, understanding, and hope. Here are a few of my pastoral reflections in response to members of my own “congregation” at Nazarene Theological Seminary:

1. Evil is real and present in the world. Though the ultimate defeat of death and evil has been accomplished in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the remaining effects are still very much alive. Though the will-induced tragedy of 9-11 has many complex socio-political ramifications, at its heart it is an evil act of evil persons. Consequently, it is almost impossible to “make sense” (i.e., to find meaning) in it.

2. People are free, moral agents. The scandal of freedom is evident in that this was not an act of fate or simply a collection of sociological factors that precipitated action. This was the free and immoral behavior of persons who chose to act in such ways.

3. God was present. Though it may be necessary to ask the question, “Where was God?” as a means of grieving and attempting to make sense of the event, the answer to the question is that he was present. God was present in his servants like the fire department chaplain who gave his life administering last rites. God was present in the courage of passengers on the flight headed to Washington D.C. who overtook the hijackers and crashed the plane in the process. God was present in the fallen rubble, bringing comfort in ways we shall never know to those who died quickly and to those who suffered slowly to death. God was certainly present for those believers who died. He did not leave them or forsake them in the moment of death.

4. We need to seek justice and offer forgiveness at the same time. While it seems impossible to do both of these things, it is necessary. We need to seek justice on a social level and forgiveness on a personal level. It is right and necessary to seek out those who are responsible for planning, financing, and executing the atrocities on September 11. We must also seek justice upon those who proactively harbor and enable such terrorism. It is for the sake of life in all of the world’s societies that such compulsion is necessary. At the same time and on a personal level, we must pray for the repentance and salvation of these same persons. Our faith in the power of the Gospel to transform persons compels us to do so. Should the perpetrators be found and should they come to faith in Jesus Christ, they must still suffer the societal consequences of their acts. If such a miracle would happen then it would be our privilege to come to the Table of the Lord together in this life, though we may need to visit the prison to do so, and then to sit next to one another at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in the life to come. Unthinkable? Our faith tells us it is not only possible, but has happened.

5. In seeking justice, we must be careful not to hate or seek revenge. These are not synonymous initiatives or emotions. We must, as Christians, participate in seeking justice, both in a punitive and redemptive sense (the lines here are not always easily drawn). As Christians, we never have the privilege of hatred or revenge. To hate another human is to step out of the character of God. To seek revenge is to step into the place of God, who understands all things perfectly. It is here that Christians must take a stand against those who in their ignorance and/or bigotry would go after all Muslims or Arabs as if terrorism were a religious or ethnic thing. Christians must also take a stand against other Christians who lay the blame for this evil deed on the homosexuals in New York City.

6. We must remember that we are Christian first, and live as a responsible national citizens in light of that. All of our thoughts, actions and words must be guided by our Christian commitment. We are called to be responsible citizens in the context of a global community.

Consequently and specifically, I cannot view the events of 9-11 as an isolated attack on the United States. I must remember that there are others in the world who have suffered as much or more often than this. In my personal feelings of being violated or having “my way of life changed”, I cannot overlook the fact that there are others in the world (including Christians), living with these insecurities, interruptions, and societal atrocities on a daily basis. It is their way of life. Their suffering cannot be ignored just as I don’t want our national suffering to be ignored.

7. These are days of opportunity for evangelism. I am not amazed at the yearning for God in prayer. I am not amazed at the temporary outbreak of courtesy and goodwill. Such events usually call out the best in us. But we must be ready to move beyond civility or patriotism to faith, faith in the God we seek in times of trouble. People are asking ultimate questions. We must give them ultimate answers. We will have lots of conversation about the lingering affects of 9-11, but this is time for the clear proclamation of the hope we have in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ed Robinson is Dean of the Faculty at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City.