risky entry

Why I’m against the closing of Gitmo, why I believe in coercive interrogation, and why I don’t use the word “torture.”

I think that the word “torture” is modernly defined far too broadly, emotionally evocative, and often leading people to miss the point. Where historically the subjects of torture may have predominantly been the guilty and the harmful, I think that the Holocaust and other contemporary evils have reshaped its definition to sometimes victimize the innocent. Lest we ever communicate that the acceptable subjects of torture are the innocent, it needs a narrowing redefinition to reemphasize its mission towards the guilty.

So, if you’re asking if I support the “torture” of detained terrorists, no I do not. However, I do support the coercive interrogation of which may consist of similar or the same activities.
That's not to say 'anything goes,' and it should be a means to an end; that is, nation and life-saving information.

As far as I'm concerned, when you become an enemy of humanity, you forfeit your own.

BUT WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

That is an oversimplified and often misleading question that needs to be placed on the shelf from time to time. Please don’t shut me off yet. I’m not suggesting we do so to overlook any contradiction of Scripture, but simply because there are often a more detailed set of situation-driven questions to be asked.

Romans 13 provides governing authorities a sword with the responsibility of both punishing evil and praising good. Would that not include the punishing of terrorists who exist to annihilate your home and way of life? The concept of “Just War” is both biblical and a necessary perspective in our responses to the evils manifest in various parts of our world. “Just War” is about differentiating wars that are warranted and those that are not. Was World War II warranted? Was our response towards Nazi Germany just and right? Or was our WWJD response to take the pacifist route while excess of 8 million innocent families were executed and burned alive?

I would contend that pacifism is both harmful and in contradiction to our God-given moral sentiments. What if U.S. intelligence agencies took the liberty of engaging in preemptive action which would lead to information to cut that 8 million number in half? Would WWJD say that if they say they don’t want to talk about it to leave them alone? Or would it allow the coercion/interrogation/torture of a few if it meant rewriting history books, saving millions, and giving life to those who have shown no disdain for it.

I know it’s difficult and I know it’s messy, but I would contend that it is both biblically permitted and necessary as we care for those God has placed under our reach.

I Will Raise My Glass

Malachi 3:16; "Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name."

I think it's interesting who the book was written for. It was written for those who fear God, not for God. So, I wouldn't interpret it as being God's record keeping either for future admonition or future rebuking. Rather, as his staff comforting us.

Historically, when shepherds would go out for extended periods of time to tend the sheep and take care of other needs, they would write their favorite passages of Scripture upon their staffs as a reminder of God's goodness and nearness.

I think this book of remembrance served the same purpose for those Malachi writes of. Also, that although maybe in different form, God has preserved this book in the hearts of his children today. A work that is never finished. Written upon by saints for thousands of years, continued to be penned by each one of us as we observe the providence and grace of God in the most beautiful and the most dark of times.

I can't help but get the imagery of a work that's finally bound at the end of time. That when we approach that table with family, friends, and saints long past, that there might be a copy waiting at each seat. That there we might raise our glass of wine and each, one by one, take our turns remembering and declaring, "This is what He did..."