We’ve been thinking about 9/11 and how to apply clear Biblical teaching on loving and praying for our enemies, and the Taliban (today) and al-Queda (then) certainly qualify as enemies. By the way, I’m not talking about how our government should respond. As Chuck Colson said on September 14, 2001:

This [loving our enemies] doesn’t obviate the government’s use of the sword or a military force to swiftly and proportionately respond to those terrorist attacks. We must do that. Our government will. But as the nation’s anger rises, there is a great test for American Christians. Can we live by the Gospel? Will we love our neighbors, even those who look or sound or seem like those who so ruthlessly attacked us? – Chuck Colson

We as individual believers are called not to hate. Can we bring this closer to home?

I was thinking about these concepts when I read a first-person account of what a liberal bishop in north Georgia is doing to a conservative United Methodist Church. Here’s how the essay starts:

In April 2021, Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson of the North Georgia Annual Conference made an abrupt and unrequested decision to move Mt. Bethel Church’s senior minister, the Rev. Dr. Jody Ray. I know it was abrupt and unrequested because I serve on the church’s Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC); the committee was among the last to hear about it.

Typically, a change of this magnitude in a church our size – with a K-12 Christian school attached – would involve several conversations and consultations. Meetings would begin nine to 12 months prior to such a major change as the church and conference carefully considered the gifts and graces required of a pastor overseeing numerous programs and a large staff. These conversations are part of a deliberative process to ensure a smooth transition and the continued health and vitality of the church. Unfortunately, our bishop refused to engage in any meaningful and deliberative consultation with us. We became very concerned that the best interests of Mt. Bethel, its mission and ministries, were being ignored. – Casey Alercon, “Unbelievable Heartbreak: Confronting the Mess My Bishop Created at Mt Bethel Church“

If you’re a conservative, it’s hard to read about this controversy (which has been brewing for going on five months now) without getting angry. It appears to be a deliberate abuse of power. But when I read this a couple of days ago, I intentionally stopped and prayed for that bishop. Just as John Schmidt suggested that among the things we pray for Afghanistan, we pray for the Taliban.

You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5.43, 44, ESV)

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. (Romans 12.14, ESV)