Responding to the Bombing

Twenty-one Coptic believers were killed and ninety-seven were wounded by a suicide bomber in Alexandria, Egypt during a New Year's Mass. Egyptian officials claim that the attack was perpetrated by al-Qaida. The Egyptian president vowed, "We will cut off the hands of terrorists and those plotting against Egypt's security."


I cannot fathom the grief of the community of believers as they gathered today for worship. Their suffering is horrifying. Yet, I cannot help but wonder what a faithful Christian response to this tragedy ought to be. 


Notice the initial response of some believers in Egypt:

Soon after the explosion, youths clashed with police, chanting, "With our blood and soul, we redeem the cross,'' witnesses said. Some broke in to the nearby mosque, throwing books into the street and sparking stone- and bottle-throwing clashes with Muslims . . .

Police fired tear gas to break up the clashes. But in the afternoon, new violence erupted in a street between the church and the affiliated Saints Hospital. Some of the young protesters waved kitchen knives. . . .

Later, hundreds gathered at an Alexandria monastery for funerals of the victims, chanting "Mubarak, the Copts' blood is boiling,'' and "we will no longer be afraid, we will no longer submit'' as they waved crosses. 

Today the church gathered to worship. This is how they responded:

Father Maqar, who led the service, did not give a sermon, preferring to express his grief with silence.

"I tell Christians to pray and pray to ease their agony," he later told reporters. 

It is easy for me to sit in my leather chair, munching a donut and sipping coffee in my warm church office and pontificate about what the suffering brothers in Egypt ought to do. (Does my hypocrisy have limits?) Yet, I still think it is important for believers to ask what a faithful response ought to be. It is not just an exercise in ethics, but a reminder of our identity as believers in a crucified Messiah to ask, "How do we respond to suffering?"

So, what would you do? How would you respond if someone bombed your church? Why?

Unworthy of the Name

This morning I was jolted awake at an ungodly hour. In a hazy fog I found my clothes and pulled them on while staggering to the door. Half asleep, I drove. Upon arrival I joined the group of well intentioned fools that pay money to be yelled at and forced to stretch and strain our bodies to the point of failure. This is not a few push-ups and sit-ups, but the kind of exertion that elicits dizziness and even occasionally dry-heaving. After the first exercise I'm already thinking, "This was a mistake."

I believe that pain is a mistake. I believe that comfort is right. I organize my life accordingly. Christians don't believe this sort of thing. Christians shouldn't do this sort of thing.

Christians believe that "everyone desiring a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim 3.12). They rejoice to be counted worthy of suffering for the name of Jesus (Acts 5.41) because they think they are sharing in his sufferings (1 Pet 4.13-16) and become like him (Phil 3.10-11).

I know that self-flagellation is not the same thing as suffering for identification with Christ. I know that making my body uncomfortable will not be a sacrifice for God. I know that my gym is not comparable to the gymnasiums where the early Christians suffered. Sadly, it's the closest thing I've got.

I think of Polycarp (ca. 155) who was brought into the stadium and commanded, "Swear by the genius of Caesar; repent and say, 'away with the atheists!'"

Looking up at the crowd he said "Away with the atheists!" (The early Christians were accused of Atheism for refusing to honor the pantheon of gods and claiming there is only one God).

"Swear by the Genius of Caesar and I will release you," continued the Roman authority.

Polycarp simply replied, "For eighty-six years I have served him and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?"

Threatened to be devoured by wild animals Polycarp continued his folly. So, he was set ablaze. Tradition says the flames could not consume him so the crowd was forced to kill him with a dagger.

I think of the martyrs of Lyons and Vienne in 177. Blandina‒a slave girl‒endured such torture the crowd "marveled that the breath still remained in a body all mangled and covered with gaping wounds." (The picture above recounts her suffering). These Christians who were rotting in jail for the name wore their chains like jewelry. They endured burnings, beatings, stabbing, dragged behind animals, eaten by wild beasts and impaled on stakes. Those Christians were thankful to suffer for the name.

I struggle to suffer for my own health. I do not know suffering for the name. I wonder if I know Christ? My life is lived in slavish devotion to the desires of my flesh.

God forgive me. I am not worthy of the name.