We do well to begin with the question, “What does GOD think of the death of Osama bin Laden?” The answer(s) found in the Bible might surprise you. Let me direct you to the wise, helpful, and biblical words of Pastor John Piper at his blog:
God’s emotions are complex—like yours, only a million times more. Right now, your emotions about bin Laden are not simple, i.e. not single. There are several, and they intermingle. That is a good thing. You are God-like.
In response to Osama bin Laden’s death, quite a few tweets and blogs have cited the biblical truth that “God does not delight in the death of the wicked.” That is true.
It is also true that God does delight in the death of the wicked. There are things about every death that God approves in themselves and things about every death that God disapproves in themselves.
Is God Double-Minded?
This is not double talk. All thoughtful people make such distinctions. For example, if my daughter asks me if I like a movie, I might say yes or no to the same movie. Why? Because a movie can be assessed for its 1) acting, 2) plot, 3) cinematography, 4) nudity, 5) profanity, 6) suspense, 7) complexity, 8) faithfulness to the source, 9) reverence for God, 10) accurate picture of human nature, etc., etc., etc.
So my answer is almost always “yes, in some ways, and no in other ways.” But sometimes I will simply say yes, and sometimes no, because of extenuating circumstances.
Here is why I say God approves and disapproves…
(click through for rest of Piper’s thoughts)
Pastor Piper goes on to explain the two sides of his answer under these headings:
• In one sense, human death is not God’s pleasure (Ezekiel 18:23, 32)
• In another sense, the death and judgment of the unrepentant is God’s pleasure (several verses)
~ pdb
The Breadline 