Is the Oslo Terrorist a Christian?

By Justin Edwards

Is Anders Behring Breivik a Christian?  Not be a long shot:

(HT: Grace in the Triad)

Osama, Terrorism, Despair, and Hope

By Justin Edwards

The world has been in a whirlwind since the news of the death of Osama bin Laden broke late Sunday evening.  Reactions have varied from celebration to condemnation, with many Christians struggling with how they should respond to the death of the world's most notorious killer of the last 2 decades.  In his article, A Christian Response to the death of Osama bin Laden, Randy White revisits the evil acts of bin Laden in recent years:

Osama bin Laden is a clear enemy.  As the leader of Al Qaeda, he is responsible for the death of over 3,000 men, women, and children on 9/11, as well as those who died on the USS Cole, the deaths of US servicemen shot down in Somalia in Operation Restore Hope, the 301 persons killed and 5,000 injured in bombings of U.S. Embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, the bombing of a synagogue in Tunisia, the deaths of 180 people in a nightclub in Bali, and the list goes on.  Clearly, Osama bin Laden has been the deadliest terrorist of this young century (HT: Worldview Weekend).

Osama bin Laden was a cold-blooded murderer who deserved death.  Christians can rejoice that this wicked man has received temporal justice for his crimes against humanity, and we can rejoice that he can no longer take another innocent human life.  Yet, while we can rejoice that bin Laden is history and can harm us no more, the reality is he is in hell and has yet to face God's final justice - in that, we cannot rejoice, but more on that later.

Although bin Laden is dead, the threat of terrorism did not die with him.  In fact, his death will likely be a catalyst for near-future attacks.  Coincidentally, about a week before May 2, I saw that Wikileaks had released information regarding repercussions of a bin Laden capture or assassination.  In this report, Al-Qaeda threatens to unleash a nuclear hellstorm if Osama is caught or assassinated.  The terrorist organization has supposedly hidden a nuclear bomb in Europe, ready for detonation should Osama be incarcerated or killed.  It is not unlikely that such a threat is imposed within the United States, given our security risks on the border among other things.

In my opinion, killing OBL is another win for Islam.  The U.S. was absolutely justified in this assassination, but the consequences will be more attacks and restricted freedoms.  Not only might Al-Qaeda accelerate its efforts to attack the United States, but there may be an increase in lone wolf terrorists or bin Laden sympathizers to unleash their frustrations against perceived tyranny of the United States.  In fact, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula publishes a high quality English-language magazine, Inspire, to recruit and instruct Muslims in the West to carry out terrorist attacks in their home countries. They released their 5th edition in April:

With this is mind, the threat of so-called "soft targets" being attacked has significantly increased since the killing of Osama bin Laden.  Security has been heightened in major cities around the country, and agencies are being encouraged to employ security measures that would invade the privacy of American citizens.  The following CBS report explains that routine patdowns may become the norm for entry into these soft targets:



As the next few weeks unfold, we will likely see an increase of Muslims memorializing bin Laden.  In fact, the location of his killing is already becoming a shrine for his admirers, where one Muslims states:

I've come here today to see a piece of our history...Osama was a good Muslim who fought for Islam. He was a hero to us. I expect in time to see all sorts of tourists here, even Japanese and Americans.

This shrine may serve as a rallying point and pilgrimage for bin Laden's followers to pay their respects.  What we are seeing is faithful Muslims supporting one of their heroes - a martyr in their eyes.

Such is the sentiment that may bring about a new wave of terror in the United States. The world is already in turmoil with a failing economy, natural disasters, and Middle East turmoil, and with the perhaps imminent threat of terrorist attacks in the United States and Europe, we can expect more death and restricted freedoms.

So what does this mean for you?  What kind of emotions do you feel knowing that the world has significantly become more volatile, as if it wasn't volatile enough already?  Are you afraid?  Are you fearful of the unexpected?  If all you have is this life now, then there really is no hope for you.  If this world, which ultimately offers you nothing but temporal happiness, despair and death - an evil place where wickedness reigns and immorality destroys, if this world is the only one you have to cling to - then you are utterly hopeless.  At any moment, your life could be taken from you, and the chances of that happening have now increased by the death of one evil man.  

If death knocked on your door today, would you find yourself in the same place as Osama bin Laden?  The truth is, if you are still living for yourself and for this world, if you have need of nothing and are trying to live in a manner that you believe would make you worthy of heaven, then you are just as guilty as bin Laden and will face the same judgment as he will face. While the wrath of God may come down more severely upon bin Laden, God's wrath is still unfathomable upon those who refuse to obey the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  You may think such a position is incredulous, and I don't blame you, but that doesn't change the reality that you are a law-breaker and deserve the wages of your sin.

To read more about this and how you can avoid facing the same judgment as Osama bin Laden, please see Eternal Life.

Now, for my brothers and sisters in Christ - we have an incredible opportunity to use the killing of Osama bin Laden to proclaim the Gospel.  First of all, as opposed to those without Christ, we have an enduring hope!  As we are secured by grace, it doesn't matter if we should be the victims of a terrorist attack.  We are not to fear the unexpected on this earth, for our hope is in the One who has conquered death and has established a kingdom for us to rule and reign with Christ for eternity!  This is the Hope that is within us, and we must be constantly ready to share this with others.

Secondly, I expect most people are willing to talk about the death of Osama bin Laden.  I can think of no easier way to transition into a spiritual conversation than using this instance to break the ice.  In the days to come, I may put a list of survey questions together to use in witnessing encounters, but for now, consider asking people this simple question: 

Where do you think Osama bin Laden is now?

This will be a springboard for you to eventually ask the person where they will go when they die. 

Most of us have lost people close to us.  The news of Osama bin Laden just might be a catalyst that sparks a new wave of terrorism, which could ultimately play into God's prophetic timetable.  In any case, the hour is now all the more urgent to proclaim the Gospel.  While we really don't know how any of this will play out, God, on the other hand, is in absolute control.  He is sovereign over all nations, people, angels, and devils, and these events are proceeding just as He has ordained them to proceed.  We do not know every detail of the future, but we do know that Christ is returning, and looking at the condition of the world today, I believe He is at the doorstep. 

If you have doubts as to where you will spend eternity, please do visit the Eternal Life page.  If you are unsure of your salvation, please don't hesitate to contact me.  If you know you are saved by the grace of God, what are you going to do with your life from here on out?  We have only one purpose in this life once we are bought by the blood of Christ - to love and obey Him with all of our hearts and to make His name known. 

Let your conduct be worthy of the Gospel of Christ... - Philippians 1:27

See also:

The Great White Throne Judgment

20 Reasons NOT to Hope for Christ's Return in 2011

Are You Ready?

Awake from Your Slumber

Don't Play Games with Your Eternity

Heart Inventory

People Who Will Not Go to Heaven

Terrorism Threat on Food - Public Information Release

By Justin Edwards

CBS News reported on Monday that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is plotting to poison salad bars and food buffets at multiple hotels and restaurants over a single weekend. While there is no specific or imminent threat, Homeland Security officials have determined the threats to be credible. You can see the CBS News video at this link: New Terror Threat Targets U.S. Food.

The Department of Homeland Security is pushing out a public document to raise awareness and to report suspicious activity. I received the document this morning and have uploaded here: If You See Something, Say Something. Please distribute to your business contacts, family, and friends, especially to those in the food industry. Even if you do not work in the food industry, some of the guidelines in the document should be acknowledged for when you visit restaurants and hotels, such as

• Person(s) taking notes, drawings, photos, or videos of your business

• Person(s) conducting surveillance of self-service areas (i.e., salad bars, condiment areas, and open bulk containers)

• Person(s) attempting to gain access to restricted or unauthorized areas

• Unattended vehicles illegally parked near your business

• Unattended items (e.g., backpacks, boxes) within or near your business

There is much chatter of terrorist activity among intelligence agencies, which is clearly overflowing into news sources these last couple of weeks. As there is a heightened state of alert over the holiday season due to critical threats of terrorism, please remember to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Should you see any sort of suspicious activity, do not hesitate to report to authorities.

For those who may have missed it on Monday, I provided some resources to help your family plan for major emergencies: Disaster Preparedness for Your Family.

Disaster Preparedness for Your Family

By Justin Edwards

Most of you do not know my professional field of work is in bioterrorism response. While my world is  likely quite different than yours in terms of thinking about natural or man-made disasters, I find it troubling that most people I talk to in casual conversations have no sort of disaster plan for themselves or their families. Although Americans have been through several catastrophic events over the last decade, the public is largely complacent when it comes to disaster preparedness. We have mostly lost touch with the reality of another 9/11 (or worse) because we live by the lie that "ignorance is bliss" and have our proverbial heads in the sand. The truth is, we are overdue for a major catastrophe here in America as the world continues to contract with the birth pangs of the end times, and when the inevitable comes, most Americans will find themselves in panic having no idea what to do or how to survive the worst-case scenario.

In a follow-up to last week's post, Merry Terror?, I'd like to provide you with some resources to encourage you to think about and prepare your family for an impending disaster. These resources will help you plan for a man-made disaster (intentional or incidental) or natural catastrophe (2010, by the way, was the deadliest year of disaster in more than a generation as earthquakes, heat waves, floods, volcanoes, super typhoons, blizzards, landslides and droughts killed at least a quarter million people). While I am not promoting or endorsing hording, preparing your family for the short term following any type of disaster is merely taking steps to be responsible for the health and safety of your family. Depending on the government to help you is not an option, so it must start with the wisdom and resources God provides you to get through these events.

To use the old cliche, it's not a matter of if these things will happen, but when they will happen. There are dark days ahead with a frail economy, rumors of war and terrorism, and an increase in natural disasters. As Christians eagerly awaiting our Savior's return, we are to expect these things and not be afraid, but we can take steps now to be prepared for when disaster strikes.

Please feel free to ask any questions and I'll do my best to answer or point you in the right direction.

1. CDC - Personal Preparedness for Bio/Chem/Rad/Nuc Terrorism

The possibility of public health emergencies arising in the United States concerns many people in the wake of recent hurricanes, tsunamis, acts of terrorism, and the threat of pandemic influenza. Though some people feel it is impossible to be prepared for unexpected events, the truth is that taking preparedness actions helps people deal with disasters of all sorts much more effectively when they do occur.

To help, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Red Cross have teamed up to answer common questions and provide step by step guidance you can take now to protect you and your loved ones.

2. FEMA Basic Preparedness: Are You Ready?

Are You Ready? provides a step-by-step approach to disaster preparedness by walking the reader through how to get informed about local emergency plans, how to identify hazards that affect their local area, and how to develop and maintain an emergency communications plan and disaster supplies kit. Other topics covered include evacuation, emergency public shelters, animals in disaster, and information specific to people with disabilities.

3. Ready.Gov (How to Prepare a Kit)

You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days. In addition, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer.

4. Emergency Supplies (Vendor)

“Helping People Prepare…for over 20 years. Offering Food Storage, Emergency Kits, Water Filtration, First Aid, MRE (Meals Ready to Eat), Survival Kits, Camping Gear, disaster preparedness and more! We are committed to serving you with over 900 products!"

5. Family Disaster Plan (Checklist and Guideline)

This booklet is a plan template and is intended to give you a format and possible suggestions about information you might want to include in a family disaster plan. It is not all inclusive and should be modified by the user as needed. Each individual or family should adapt this plan to their specific needs or requirements.

6. American Red Cross 

Do you know what to do? Do you have a plan? Fire, police and emergency medical services may be delayed in responding. You need to learn what to do, have a plan, and be prepared to take care of yourself, your family and your community. 

7. Nuclear Preparedness (Power Plants)

We always expect our nuclear stations to operate safely, but in the unlikely event of a nuclear station emergency, we want you to be prepared. We’ve prepared emergency planning information in conjunction with the states and counties around our nuclear facilities. These plans are designed to protect you. If you hear sirens, we want you to know what they mean and what you need to do. 

Merry Terror?

By Justin Edwards

The holiday season each year routinely raises alert levels among counter-terrorism agencies, but with the failed plot by the underwear bomber last Christmas day and numerous foiled plots in Europe and the United States in 2010, authorities have their work cut out for them over these next couple of weeks. What's more, Iraqi authorities are reporting that al Qaeda is planning suicide attacks in the United States and Europe during the Christmas holidays.

Drudge is running a major headline from the Associated Press that two insurgents have confessed these planned attacks to Iraqi senior officials. The Iraqi government has reported these claims as "critical threats" to Interpol and the U.S. Security Council this week. Allegedly among these plots were the suicide bombing in Sweden last weekend claimed the insurgents, who insist to be part of a cell taking its orders directly from al Qaeda's central leadership. Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani told the Associated Press,

Several members of this terrorist group have direct links with the central leaders of the al Qaeda organization.  Those captured represent the main structure of the al Qaeda organization in Iraq (source).

Having recently attended a counter-terrorism conference in November, I am confident that al Qaeda operatives are entrenched on American soil. For years our borders have given criminals and terrorists easy access to the U.S., using coyotes (smugglers) to import weapons, money, drugs, and people, including terrorists and parts for WMDs. In his book, The Day of Islam: The Annihilation of America and the Western World, Paul Williams details how Hezbollah and HAMAS have positioned themselves with Mexico's narcoterrorist groups and high profile gangs, such as MS-13, to smuggle these goods and terrorists into the United States. In his August 2009 article, MS-13 Smuggles Muslim Terrorists into the United States, Williams writes:

Shot Heard 'Round the World - Quran Burning

By Justin Edwards

AP

If my life was not covered by the blood of Jesus Christ, I would be very afraid of the coming days and weeks following the planned Quran burning on September 11, 2010 led by Dove World Outreach Center pastor Terry Jones. I am generally very weary of subjective feelings, but yesterday I couldn't help but literally feel the spiritual warfare taking place. And this war is raging.

After initially posting on this Quran burning yesterday in an effort to publicly rebuke and call these people to repentance (HERE), the implications of this burning began to really sink in and weighed on my heart all day long.

Folks, this is serious - deadly serious.

This is so serious that I think it has the potential to spark something unimaginable in the minds of secular people, yet something predictable in the minds of born again Christians as far as the end-times are concerned. As small as this 50-member church is, as little as they represent genuine disciples of Jesus Christ, they may have the fate of the world in the palm of their hands, humanly speaking.

History has shown that it does not take much of anything to send nations to war. The American Revolutionary War and World War I is historical proof of that, and I believe September 11, 2010 may initiate the same.

This Quran burning may indeed be another "shot heard 'round the world".

It is obvious that American troops, military bases, American embassies, and other American assets will be at risk. In fact, the mere rhetoric coming from Terry Jones may have already put us past the point of no return. But there is more to consider, much more.

Terrorism. Islamists have already waged war against the West and are seeking to bring the world under the bloody grip of Sharia law through the caliphate once again. This is in fact a mandate of Islam whose last caliphate fell with the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. The terrorist attacks over the last century have proved this politically fascist ideology has not lost its charge since Muhammad founded the religion in the 6th century. The tentacles of Islam are vast through contemporary society, and the militant wing of Islam has done well to shred freedoms around the world through the efforts of the Muslim Brotherhood, HAMAS, the PLO, Hezbollah, al Qaida, splinter organizations of these terrorist groups, and of course state-sponsors of terrorism such as Iran, Iraq, Sudan, and Syria.

It is clear that Islam needs no excuse to wage their war of jihad. But, a Quran burning will most certainly encourage to ramp up their efforts.

Terrorism is coming to a city near you. Consider the European riots sparked by a caricature of Muhammad or remarks made by the pope. It takes hardly a word to bring fundamental Muslims to protest, oftentimes violently. Burning the Islamic text is surely to bring suicide bombings, mass shootings, or worse, the use of a Weapon of Mass Destruction. We have been long overdue for another terrorist strike, and these antics may serve to break the camel's back for the terrorists to proceed with their plans.

The rhetoric from protesters says it all - and I take them seriously,

"If Quran is burned it would be beginning of destruction of America," read one English-language banner held up by the protesters, who chanted "Down with America!" (source)

I do not say these things to strike fear in you. I am hardly a fearmongerer. I just can't help but think what this silly charade will cause. And terrorism may not be the worst of it.

Our brothers and sisters in Christ are now at risk around the world. Missionaries and Christians in Muslim-dominated countries will especially be at risk - Indonesia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Palestinian territories, Syria, Sudan, and Lebanon.

I do not have to tell you a common form of execution by Islamists is decapitation. Public beheading. When will we see the first casualty from this abhorrent ignorance of Dove Outreach? When will the first breaking news report be heard of a mass shooting - execution style or firing line - of born again Christians? By following through with the Quran burning, Terry Jones and his flock do not love the brethren - in fact, they hate the brethren.

We know that Christian persecution has always existed and will increase as we near the return of Jesus Christ. And although this 50-member congregation is anything but representative of the Body of Christ, they may very well be the cause of a significant increase in Christian persecution worldwide. The government already considers us "right wing extremists", and this will only encourage the left to crack down on our religious freedoms.

What I see happening as a result of the Quran burnings is nothing short of devastating. Who knew a single "pastor" and 50 followers could have so much power and influence to send the world into a frenzy and play such a potentially significant role in moving things forward on the prophetic time line.

We at the least will see mass violent protests, and I find it very plausible we will see major acts of terrorism, war, Christian executions, and significant loss of freedoms.

In these last 2 days before the scheduled Quran burning, I ask that you join me in prayer for the protection of born again Christians around the world. I ask that you pray the veil will be lifted from the blind eyes of the people at Dove World Outreach and the Holy Spirit will draw them to repentance. Pray that God will use Christians to be bold in denouncing these hateful acts and that He will be glorified through our testimony. Pray that God will protect our troops and any other body that has the potential to experience this backlash. And pray for the hearts of Muslims to be softened so they can respond to the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ who gives us the peace that passes all understanding and sets us free from the spiritual and religious bondage the world and the prince of the world offers.

There is still time for Terry Jones to renounce his intentions to burn the Quran. You can contact him through the Dove World Outreach website.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, ¹² teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, ¹³ looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

¹⁵ Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. - Titus 2:11-15

The Lessons of Adam Gadahn - Robert Spencer

By Robert Spencer
Jihad Watch

The first American to be charged with treason since World War II was back in the news Sunday, both for a new videotape he released and for reports of his capture that turned out to be false. In the videotape, al-Qaeda operative Adam Gadahn, an American convert to Islam, praised the Fort Hood jihad murderer and called upon Muslims to carry out jihad attacks in the United States. The reports that Gadahn had been captured caused widespread excitement until the arrestee turned out to be a different American convert to Islam, Abu Yahya Mujahdeen Al-Adam, who like Gadahn is an al-Qaeda leader. The videotape and the arrest of the other American-born Muslim demonstrate yet again the cognitive dissonance that prevails at the highest levels regarding the nature of the jihad threat.

In the videotape, Gadahn called Nidal Hasan, who murdered thirteen people in the name of jihad and Islam at Fort Hood in November 2009, “Brother Nidal” and held him up as “the ideal role-model for every repentant Muslim in the armies of the unbelievers and apostate regimes.” And not just military personnel: Gadahn added that “Nidal Hasan is a pioneer, a trailblazer and a role-model who has opened a door, lit a path and shown the way forward for every Muslim who finds himself among the unbelievers.”

Gadahn advised his fellow jihad warriors: “You shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking that military bases are the only high-value targets in America and the West. On the contrary, there are countless other strategic places, institutions and installations which, by striking, the Muslim can do major damage.” He implored jihadis to think out of the box: “As the blessed operations of September 11th showed, a little imagination and planning and a limited budget can turn almost anything into a deadly, effective and convenient weapon.”

The California native also called upon Muslims to disrupt Western societies “by killing or capturing people in government, industry and the media.” These and other acts of jihadist violence would weaken “consumer confidence and stifle spending.” Gadahn grounded this appeal to mayhem in explicitly Islamic terms: “I am calling on every honest and vigilant Muslim in the countries of the Zionist-Crusader alliance in general and America, Britain and Israel in particular to prepare to play his due role in responding to and repelling the aggression of the enemies of Islam.”

Clearly this kind of appeal resonates among some Muslims – as evidenced by the fact that the captive confused with Gadahn was another American convert. And the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the shadowy Hamas-linked group that bills itself (and fools many of the governing establishment and mainstream media in doing so) as a Muslim civil rights organization, seemed anxious to dispel the impression that Gadahn’s message would gain any traction among Muslims in the U.S., or at least among CAIR members. When it looked as if Gadahn had been captured, the organization issued a press release saying: “We welcome the reported arrest of Adam Gadahn and repeat the American Muslim community’s repudiation of all those who would promote or condone terrorism anywhere in the world.”

High-sounding words, but ultimately devoid of substance – and not solely because Gadahn is still at large. Belying its moderate protestations, CAIR (an unindicted co-conspirator in a case involving the funneling of charitable contributions to Hamas by what was once the largest Islamic charity in the U.S., the Holy Land Foundation) and its allied Muslim groups in America have never developed any kind of program for mosques and Islamic schools to teach against the version of Islam that Adam Gadahn and Abu Yahya Mujahdeen Al-Adam believe in and practice. Their vague condemnations contain nothing that would dissuade a young convert from believing that he has a divine responsibility to make war against unbelievers based on numerous Qur’anic commands (9:5, 9:29, 9:123, 47:4, etc.) and the Islamic legal superstructure mandating jihad warfare that is built upon them. Said the Muslim Prophet Muhammad: “Allah assigns for a person who participates in (holy battles) in Allah’s Cause and nothing causes him to do so except belief in Allah and in His Messengers, that he will be recompensed by Allah either with a reward, or booty (if he survives) or will be admitted to Paradise (if he is killed in the battle as a martyr).”

Although they profess to oppose what Gadahn is trying to do in Islam’s name, CAIR and the rest have done nothing to prevent the conversion and recruitment to jihad of more Adam Gadahns. For Gadahn himself discovered Islam by cruising the Internet. The appeals he saw there were much like the one he himself issued Sunday: an assumption of Islamic authenticity and the moral high ground, even when calling for bloodshed and murder.

A young man like Gadahn who gains what he knows about Islam from the internet will find dozens of jihadist websites, many of which feature detailed explications of the Qur’an and Sunnah making the case for jihad warfare — and precious few, if any, Muslim sites that go into any detail to refute this interpretation of Islam in favor of the essentially peaceful upon the existence of which so much American policy is based.

Adam Gadahn’s videotape and the capture of Abu Yahya Mujahdeen Al-Adam thus not only remind us that we must continue to be on guard against the jihad against the U.S. that the Obama Administration would prefer to pretend is not happening; they also underscore the ever-increasing need to call slick groups like CAIR to account, and to implement genuinely workable measures to stop jihadist recruitment in mosques in America.