What should be the Christian citizens response to the events involving the unsuccessful Christmas Day terrorist attack on Northwest Airlines flight 253? Many questions have been asked about the lack of action by intelligence and security agencies who had information regarding Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian born terrorist. Oops, I mean alleged terrorist (lest I be subjected to a defamation suit by Abdulmutallab's lawyers).
Still, with all signs pointing to an egregious and nearly catastrophic failure, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said "the system worked". She subsequently revised her statement when stating on ABC's Good Morning America, "Clearly, there's some work that needs to be done". With so much pressure on the Secretary for an explanation, and with so much scrutiny on the situation, this misstatement and revision May be allowable (barely).
Yet there are some, who sensing more ominous implications, would ask other questions. I mean the kind of people who are inclined to see conspiracies at every turn. These include the 911 Truthers who boast such notable supporters as former 'green czar' Van Jones and former congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. Many of these 'truthers' were prone to ask the oft repeated question, "What did George Bush know and when did he know it?".
Considering the nature of the latest security debacle, will they now focus their inquisitorial ridicule upon our current POTUS? Will they ask, "What did Barack Obama know and when did he know it?". Not only is this very doubtful based on their political proclivity, but just as in the case of 911, it is also unwarranted based on the facts as we know them. Their is nothing to suggest a conspiritorial disregard for established security procedures in order to give the administration an reason for implementing more invasive measures guaranteed to intrude further upon our civil liberties. This is not likely to be the case, because since its inception, this administration has been rather presumptuous in imposing its unsubtly Marxist agenda with only passing regard to the Constitution or the will of the majority (of citizens, not congress).
Therefore, as indicated by the implementation of their agenda to date, we can reasonably predict that clandestine intent involving Abdulmutallab does not fit their modus operandi. Furthermore, questions like those put forth by the 'truthers' should not be utilized by Christians who value reason and propriety. Still, there are at least two things that we must do.
First, we must investigate and understand the ideologies of this administration and radical Islamism, both of which are waging their own distinctly strategic war against the West. This knowledge helps us develop an apologetic for addressing these specific issues of our times. Secondly, and more importantly, we must investigate and understand what God is doing in the world. This knowledge is a Mosaic which gives us an overview of our place in the history of the world. By this, we can understand how we should pray and act as we witness the Lord's plan unfolding before us.
Finally, it is precisely because we trust ourselves to God's sovereignty that we do not put stock in conspiracy theories. Neither do we fret over the egregious or evil deeds of men, even when we must oppose them as a matter of conscience. Rather, we believe that nothing may come to pass outside of God's sovereignty, and nothing may pass away until God has declared that its purpose has been fulfilled. This is not to be lightly considered. Moreover, it not easily understood or readily accepted by most Christians. That notwithstanding, this truth must be stated unequivocally, and it gives us confidence as we begin the new year.
