Hate and How to Overcome It: How Should We Respond to the Tragic Death of Fred Phelps?

Christianity Today ^ | 3/20/2014 | Ed Stetzer

[Former Fetus]

Death is always a tragedy. Hate makes it more so.

Today, a man known for hate died. CNN concluded that his infamy was worth a breaking news alert.

But how do we respond? How does this breaking news relate to the gospel's good news?

I've had some run-ins with Westboro, though I don't like to use the words "Baptist" and "Church" when referring to it. (My apologies to the city of Westboro, but your sacrifice is appreciated to rescue the words "Baptist" and "Church.")

I actually have a reminder of the Phelps family that I see every day. If you visit my office, you'd see a nameplate. They called me a "Lying Whore, False Prophet" for believing the crazy idea that God loves people—even sinners. As a result, one of my enterprising team members (Lizette Beard) made a nameplate. Every day I can ponder about Fred Phelps—and how he turned the love of God into hate.

The Phelps family (a better description than a "Baptist church," though even that is filled with tragic irony as they self destruct), protested at my former church.

You can read how we responded here and part of that answer may be helpful here.

We were determined to show and share the love of Jesus in the midst of their distortion of the gospel, explaining:

Our answer to offensive signs was to show and share the love of Christ with anyone in need. Whether speaking to the protestors, counter protestors, or the media, we were prepared to speak about what God is doing in our community... The last thing we have time to do is shut down because five people show up with offensive signs.

[Former Fetus]

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matt. 5:43-48)

[cripplecreek]

Simple.

I pray that he found God before he passed and I move on.

[Army Air Corps]

Fred Phelps, pal of Al Gore.

[Army Air Corps]

Bingo.

[CorporateStepsister]

I feel the same way about him as I do people who had much to give, but wasted it on self destructiveness and self hate. They had their chance at so much and now decided to end up as what they are now remembered for. Right now, whatever chance they have for redemption is lost.

[Wuli]

I’d say Fred, I hope you are not lost to G-d, and I hope you are soon forgotten on Earth. May you rest in peace and may the humanity rest more peacefully without you.

[ConorMacNessa]

Exactly!

No one knows the final disposition of a soul but the Lord. I abhor those who disturb the funerals of others for whatever reason. There is no cause to do so regardless of how heinous the offenses of the departed may have been.

The Lord will mete out judgment - whatever it may be. It is not ours to do so.



"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[MeshugeMikey]

Amen!

[MeshugeMikey]

Dear Fred.

you will be long gone and soon forgotten.

[DLfromthedesert]

Why is his death tragic? He was 84; it was his time. What he did with his life was tragic.

[Cyber Liberty]

I hope by now he’s found out that God does not, in fact, hate fags.

[TBP]

Nobody’s death should be celebrated, not even a person as vile as Fred Phelps. That which is Life and gives life, whatever you name choose to use, chose to give the world Fred Phelps, for some reason, one which I admit I don’t understand and I’m sure most people don’t.

Nevertheless, he was a human being with a family and they are (mostly) grieving. As hateful a lot as the Westboro group is, rejoicing at anyone’s death is unseemly and inhuman.

[RginTN]

Phelps and his family are false flags acting to demonize Christians. The Soviets created false flags all too often. See the Verona papers

I’m sure they have some Swiss bank account being financed by Leftists.

[SunkenCiv]

In the case of Fred, point out at every opportunity that he was a typical Democrat with typical Democrat views. Thanks Former Fetus.

[steve86]

Does God hate demons?

[animal172]

Maybe we should return the favor and protest at his funeral.

[hinckley buzzard]

Yes. Simple. Pray for his soul. All the rest is not of God.

[mountainbunny]

Rejoicing in the death of someone who may have fallen short of Heaven does not come from God.

Anyone rejoicing needs to think long and hard about where that “joy” is actually coming from.

Prayers for the repose of his soul, for those who loved him, and for the conversion of non-believers.

[melsec]

Yes and I pray that no-one goes and protests at his funeral even though they probably deserve it. Mercy and forgiveness takes the higher road!