The latest count had the death toll at 132 and hundreds wounded, some in critical condition. Sadly the story is becoming a 21st century groundhog day. Growing up in Southern California I understand the feeling of living in eminent threat. We have earthquakes, and lots of them. You sleep and rise under the threat that at any moment and without notice, everything can start shaking. The world now lives with the threat that everything without notice can be shaken through the calculated efforts of Jihad. This latest incident in Paris is not as simple as terrorists attacking innocent people, it is not just about radical Islam, it is not just that we live with the fear of terror. From a politically conservative perspective, these are the talking points we are used to, from a biblical perspective our reflection is much more devastating than that. Lets understand where this terrible massacre took place. France is an essentially Secular State. It cares nothing for religion. France is committed to post-modernism, secularism, liberalism, pro-homosexual “marriage”, and an evangelical population that does not the break 1% mark. Although politically, France can range from radical liberal to ultra conservative, nevertheless as regards the Biblical worldview, it is a godless place. This liberal spirit has also led to an age of “tolerance” and multiculturalism in the West, France being at the cutting edge of that through Islamic immigration so that by 2030 10% of the total population will be Muslim.
Although several attacks were reported, lets look at the attack at Bataclan Concert Hall in Paris. The concert was in full swing, the band, Eagles Of Death Metal. The song? Kiss the Devil, the lyrics:
Who’ll love the devil?…
Who’ll song his song?…
Who will love the devil and his song?…
I’ll love the devil!…
I’ll sing his song!…
I will love the devil and his song!…
Who’ll love the devil?…
Who’ll kiss his tongue?…
Who will kiss the devil on his tongue?…
I’ll love the devil!…
I’ll kiss his tongue!…
I will kiss the devil on his tongue!…
Who’ll love the devil?…
Who’ll sing his song?…
I will love the devil and his song!…
Who’ll love the devil?…
Who’ll kiss his tongue?…
I will kiss the devil on his tongue!…
Who’ll love the devil?…
Who’ll sing his song?…
I WILL LOVE THE DEVIL AND SING HIS SONG!…
You can’t make this stuff up. But that was the song playing during the attack. What about the culture of those attending? Well, its obvious they were not there for choir lessons, this was a time of revelry pure and simple. Worst yet, what the band was playing and these people were singing was pure blasphemy since Scripture tells us to “kiss the Son” not the devil (Ps. 2). What took place in Paris this past week was evil, but it was wave upon waves of evil. The reality is, the jihadis were simply as evil as those who were singing “kiss the devil.” From the biblical perspective, we live in an evil age. Sin has a way of leveling the playing field. The gospel is not just for jihadis who would massacre innocent people. It is for the millennial who desperately needs to crush the devil not “kiss the devil.” But for both the reveler and murderer, the only way the devil can be defeated is through the cross. This is why ultimately, our answers must steer away from the political and towards the evangelical. The answer is a not found in a new president, the answer is found in the gospel.
The gospel is not about exchanging habits. For the Jihadist, the gospel is not merely a call to stop killing people and start feeding people because the gospel is not a humanitarian project. For the reveler, the gospel is not about listening to nice music instead of death metal because the gospel is not about reform. Of course, what is needed is regeneration. But that means only the gospel can fully and truly make sense out of the mess of terrorism and hedonism alike.
Sola Gratia
Kim King
November 17, 2015 at 9:01 amGood article Pastor Emilio. May the Lord continue to shed light through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Kim King
November 17, 2015 at 9:03 amMay the Lord continue to use you to shed light through His gospel :) What I meant to say.
Andrew Clover
November 18, 2015 at 8:24 amI think your concise article is well stated and right on the money. I heard you on The Dividing Line yesterday and you and Dr. White were right on. This is not a case of innocent, in the biblical sense, people being slaughtered by evil people. It was a case of the aggressively violent and godless attacking those who are a little more passively godless. But this is how the world goes on apart from Christ.
Emilio Ramos
November 18, 2015 at 8:27 amThank you so much for checking the article out. It was a blast being on the dividing line. If you like what you read, please share our page and articles. Thanks and God bless.
Wesley
November 19, 2015 at 11:35 amJust a little clarity on a minor detail; Eagles of Death Metal are a modern Pop band, more or less. The name was, from what I can tell, ironic. Excellent article, though. Thank you! =]