These are fascinating times, filled with a mix of extraordinary events and diverse reactions. The recent news of Osama Bin Laden’s death prompted responses that, as someone deeply engaged in Christian apologetics, struck me as eerily parallel to the reactions recorded in the Gospels about Christ's resurrection. These parallels reveal much about the nature of belief and the human desire for proof.
This isn’t meant to be a scholarly debate, but rather a collection of reflections comparing the world’s most notorious terrorist and the world’s Savior.
1. Ideological Disbelief
It’s remarkable how ideologues, whether in the context of Osama Bin Laden or Jesus Christ, are almost impossible to convince. Despite overwhelming evidence—DNA tests, eyewitness accounts, and even confirmation from Bin Laden’s own daughter—some people still refuse to believe in his death. They dismiss the evidence as government deception or conspiracy.
Similarly, the Gospels show us that hardened skeptics, and indeed all humans born in sin, are naturally inclined to disbelief. For those unwilling to believe, no amount of evidence will suffice. As with the resurrection of Jesus, the predisposition to disbelief often overrides even the most compelling proof.
2. The Challenge of a Clear Narrative
The confusion and conflicting details surrounding the events of Bin Laden’s death reflect a universal truth: it’s challenging to piece together a clear narrative during emotional and dramatic events. Communication is complex—what we think we heard, what was actually said, and what we understood can all differ.
This is also true of the Gospel accounts of the resurrection. Apparent discrepancies in the timeline make the events more authentic to me. These are the testimonies of men who lived through these events, and they believed in them so deeply that they were willing to die for their testimony.
3. The Fog of Rumors and False Evidence
In the aftermath of Bin Laden’s death, we saw the spread of false rumors and even doctored images. Some senators were shown fake photos, and an early image of Bin Laden's death was quickly debunked as a Photoshop creation. President Obama chose not to release the real death image, understanding that for some, no proof would ever be enough.
This resonates with the history of relics associated with Jesus, many of which have been mired in controversy. While some find the Shroud of Turin compelling, I approach it with caution. The true evidence of the resurrection is not in relics but in the historical record and the transformed lives of believers.
4. The Power of Presuppositions
We all live by faith in something, and our presuppositions often shape our judgments. Hardened skeptics believe they see the truth clearly, yet their conclusions are colored by their biases.
Faith in Christ is a gift from God, one that breaks through our natural resistance. When someone comes to faith in Christ, it’s a miracle of the Holy Spirit. And once that faith takes root, the believer experiences the most compelling evidence of all: a personal relationship with Jesus. This experience is sweet, though we are prone to forget and drift.
I am convinced that the resurrection of Jesus is not only historically verifiable but also the best explanation for the agreed-upon facts. For those interested in exploring the evidence, I highly recommend an iPad app developed by my friend Doug Powell, Resurrection iWitness. It’s a powerful tool for those seeking to understand the truth.
5. A Final Comparison: Osama is Dead, Jesus is Alive
In the end, which will be easier to prove: Osama’s death or Jesus’ resurrection? In ancient Jerusalem, the authorities could have ended Christianity by presenting Jesus’ body. But they couldn’t, because He had risen. I wouldn’t be surprised if we eventually see conspiracy theories claiming Bin Laden is still alive, just as some believe Elvis or Hitler survived beyond their supposed deaths.
A Biblical Reflection on Reactions
There’s been significant debate over the public celebrations of Bin Laden’s death. Some argue it’s wrong to rejoice in the death of any person, while others see it as a justified response to the end of a man responsible for so much suffering.
King David’s responses to different situations in the Bible illustrate how complex our reactions can be. In 1 Samuel 17, David celebrated Goliath’s defeat by cutting off his head—a clear victory for God’s people. Yet in 1 Samuel 24, David spared Saul’s life, showing mercy to his enemy. And in 2 Samuel 6, David danced before the Lord in celebration, though his wife Michal despised him for it.
These varied reactions reflect the complexity of human emotions and the difficulty in judging others' actions. As Christians, we must be careful not to assume we fully understand another’s motives. We should also remember the heavenly celebration described in Revelation 19, where the righteous rejoice over the defeat of evil.
Conclusion: The Urgency of the Gospel
Osama Bin Laden is dead, and Jesus is alive. Osama was a man who sincerely believed in a faith system that demanded adherence to impossible standards, leading to oppression and destruction. But Jesus, through His death and resurrection, opened the door to mercy and grace. The cross demonstrates God’s justice, while the resurrection proves His power to save.
Amazingly, the blood of Jesus is sufficient even to cover the sins of Osama, had he repented. But he chose to resist and rebel, and now he faces the judgment of God. For those reading this, your chance for mercy is still open. Each heartbeat is a gift, and one unrepented sin is too many to stand before a holy God.
Now is the time to turn to Christ. These are sober times, filled with signs of the end. But in Christ, there is a living hope.
If you feel the tug on your heart, respond to God in simple, honest prayer:
Lord, I can’t run my life, and I can’t save myself. Please forgive my many sins. I’m crying out to You for help and salvation. I trust in Jesus’ sacrifice for me and ask You to make me Your child. Take my life, Lord. I’m taking baby steps today, but I will never outgrow my need for You. Amen.
To every reader, regardless of your background, I urge you to open your life to Jesus Christ, the risen and living God. The time to repent is now.
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