This is a question to all my Christian brothers and sisters, especially those who continue to rejoice in the belief that Osama bin Laden will spend an eternity in Hell.

For the sake of my curiosity, let’s pretend that Osama bin Laden did whatever it takes (according to your belief) to be saved, whether he spoke the Sinner’s Prayer and was baptized by the Holy Spirit… or he simply confessed with his mouth that Jesus is Lord and asked God for forgiveness — whatever it takes in your eyes to be forgiven and accepted into the Kingdom of Heaven.

How would that information make you feel?

After almost 10 years searching for the man many believed to be the master-mind behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Osama bin Laden was finally found and killed. Many have rejoiced at his death, because he is responsible for the destruction of thousands of people and the suffering of even more. However, I am having trouble rejoicing — not because I agreed with his convictions, religion, beliefs, or even his actions. I do not, his actions are deplorable in my eyes. I cannot rejoice because to my knowledge Osama died without a relationship with Jesus and will probably be spending a long time in a place that will not be made for men.

Yes, I understand that justice had to be served. I understand that there are consequences for our actions. I know that these constructs exists within human societies for a reason. I accept these terms, but that does not mean that I can rejoice when these constructs are put into action. In an eye-for-an-eye world, Osama bin Laden got what he deserved, I get it.

Ultimately, the death of Osama bin Laden made me consider my own life. I soon realized, that I am not much different from him. I am a man of conviction, a man of religion, sometimes a man with radical beliefs. I have taken what is not mine to take. I am responsible for the suffering of others (even those for whom I love). I am even responsible for the destruction of innocent life. No, my crimes against humanity are not as severe or have as broad of a reach as Osama’s — but my crimes still exist.

I have read comments from close friends and family expressing their pleasure in this man’s death, wishing his suffering had lasted longer, and even thankful that Osama will spend an eternity in Hell. Upon my death, I doubt my friends and family will rejoice, wish that I suffered longer, or hope that I burn in Hell — perhaps they should. Until that time, I am thankful to have the knowledge that my crimes have been forgiven through the work of Jesus. The biggest difference between me and Osama is not our actions on Earth but what Jesus has already done through us.

Gosh, I want to write about the crappy words we use every frickin’ day. But I’m not really sure if you darn people will appreciate the friggin point. I mean, gee whiz, there are so many Christians who are so loose with the words they use. Shucks, some of y’all even use words straight from h-e-double-hockey-sticks. Before I was saved I cursed like a dang sailor. But after being saved I felt like curse-words didn’t glorify God, so I stopped using them. Heck, it was an outright witnessing tool – all of my friends knew that I stopped swearing, and thus Jesus had obviously changed my heart.

Golly, I hope I don’t step on any of y’alls toes, but it’s just been on my blasted heart lately.

I use Google analytics to track what is happening on my blog. I get to see which pages are most popular, how long people spend at my blog, and also what people search for to end up on my blog. Here are the top 11 funniest searches I’ve had in the past 30 days (in no particular order).

01. “what’s a handbasket and why do we got to hell in one?” – Isn’t it obvious?

02. should christians believe in santa claus – Yes.

03. muslim vs. baptist – The fight of the century!

04. i need molds of the ten commandments – Don’t we all.

05. how to have church without programs book – I recommend the Bible.

06. help, i don’t want to go to church – Help?

07. thigs to be thankful to god for – Google, peanut butter, and two-ply toliet paper.

08. notes on how to have to be a good pastor wife – Amen.

09. is it biblical to pay church volunteers? – Volunteer?

10. god bless me just a little – Me too.

11. churches say they will forgive if you pay us money – Me too!

At the beginning of this year I posted Going to Hell in a Handbasket (Part 1 & Part 2). In these posts I discussed a new… or different… perspective on sin. I have always been taught that it is our sins that send us to Hell. However, it occurred to me that the Bible never actually says that our sins send us to Hell. I am still unable to find a verse in Scripture that supports this – but I definitely understand why people believe this. It is a very easy leap to make, but it is a leap. In my opinion, if we are being honest, we should not make that leap (or any leap). Rather, we should read Scripture plainly and simply.

When discussing the topic of Sin relative to Hell there are two scripture references that come to mind. The first is, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) The second is, “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:14-15)

If we consider just these two verses, it appears that sin results in death (not Hell). Something else entirely then places us in Hell, namely, not being in the book of life (or Lamb’s Book of Life). These are not the only verses of course, there are others that support this same understanding, like God telling Adam that his punishment would be death. Paul talking about how sin entered the world and death through sin, etc. All of these verses seem to indicate that sin accomplishes death, not hell. Again, I have not found any verses that teach the contrary.

But I have another reason for believing that sin does not send us to Hell. It might seem extra-biblical, but it is only as extra-biblical as believing that our sins send us to Hell. In fact, let us consider that the truth just might very well be that sin does send us to Hell. Where does this put Jesus?

Scripture seems to indicate that Jesus gave himself as a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Jesus is our propitiation (1 John 2:2). Paul says that he died for us (Romans 5:6). But what does this all mean? Basically it means that Christ sacrificed himself, took on our punishment for the sins we commit so we would not have to. Logically, if the punishment for our sins is to be sent to Hell and Jesus took the punishment for our sins then a just God would have to send Jesus to Hell.

At this point we are faced with at least two options:
1) We believe that Jesus is going to be sent to Hell at the appointed time.
2) We believe that Scripture never teaches that our sins send us to Hell.

I choose option 2, not because I am trying to get out of a tough spot, but because it seems to be the simplest reading of Scripture. If option 1 is true, then I think Jesus’ sacrifice has a completely new face. He no longer just died on the cross for us, he will be sent to Hell because of us. However, just as Scripture seems quiet on sins sending us to Hell, it seems abnormally quiet on Jesus being sent to Hell – so I am confident my position.

What do you think?