Posted on 04/21/2017 5:01:45 PM PDT by marshmallow
Twelve seconds of silence is an awkward eternity on television. Amr Adeeb, perhaps the most prominent talk show host in Egypt, leaned forward as he searched for a response.
The Copts of Egypt are made of steel! he finally uttered.
Moments earlier, Adeeb was watching a colleague in a simple home in Alexandria speak with the widow of Naseem Faheem, the guard at St. Marks Cathedral in the seaside Mediterranean city.
On Palm Sunday, the guard had redirected a suicide bomber through the perimeter metal detector, where the terrorist detonated. Likely the first to die in the blast, Faheem saved the lives of dozens inside the church.
Im not angry at the one who did this, said his wife, children by her side. Im telling him, May God forgive you, and we also forgive you. Believe me, we forgive you.
You put my husband in a place I couldnt have dreamed of.
Stunned, Adeeb stammered about Copts bearing atrocities over hundreds of years, but couldnt escape the central scandal.
How great is this forgiveness you have! his voice cracked. If it were my father, I could never say this. But this is their faith and religious conviction.
Millions marveled with him across the airwaves of Egypt.
So also did millions of Copts, recently rediscovering their ancient heritage, according to Ramez Atallah, president of the Bible Society of Egypt which subtitled and recirculated the satellite TV clip.
(Excerpt) Read more at christianitytoday.com ...
Perhaps it is their place to be martyrs so that the rest of us rise up. Will we rise up or just sit on our asses or go to the mall while they bear the brunt of injustice?
Incredible. I had to watch it a second time to pay closer attention to the studio host’s face. His eyes didn’t look watery at the end of the interview with the widow, but he sure was blinking as though there might be a few tears in them.
Thank you so much for posting this. I’m not on camera like that guy (at least I hope not, Big Brother), so I’m not even bothering to blink or wipe away the tears.
The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church. No, they do not suffer so we will rise up but so that Muslims and others may see and be converted.
Many people misunderstand forgiveness. The purpose is it goves you peace. But forgiving someone doesn’t mean you go to dinner with them.
Many people misunderstand forgiveness. The purpose is it goves you peace. But forgiving someone doesn’t mean you go to dinner with them.
Forgiveness does NOT mean what they did is ok, or that you should not stop or prevent evil any time that it’s possible. It means you won’t carry hatred and bitterness in your heart for them , you won’t seek revenge, only pray they will repent and turn to Christ. It also doesn’t mean you think they should be let off any legal consequences.
You can forgive someone for a wrong they did to you.
You can’t forgive someone for a wrong they committed to others.
I respectfully disagree.
I have defended myself with violence. In one occasion, extreme violence.
But I forgave my attackers. Will leave it up to God to judge them. Not my job.
> It means you wont carry hatred and bitterness in your heart for them , you wont seek revenge, only pray they will repent and turn to Christ.
The filthy scum that tried or murdered my loved ones could petition to the God of Gods, never mind the Sons thereof...
...and never ever get anything from me but revenge and balance. Evil must NEVER be allowed to run free.
There is only one God and the islamic filth have tried to apportion it for their horny evil filth. They WILL lose and NEVER be forgiven for their selfish filth.
One great thing about living in ancient Israel is if someone was murdered (premeditation) with witnesses (2 or more) GOD SAID HE HAD TO DIE. The person related to them could actually forgive them but it is GOD’s law that they die. Am I right?
>Wrong, Sir. The whole purpose of Jesus Christ dying on the cross and being raised by God from the dead was to do exactly what you say cannot be done. He died so that most horrid, dastardly, vilest of human can be forgiven and given eternal life.
That, sir, is a matter of opinion. You harm me or my loved ones, you accept the rewards or punishment.
God tells me that is how it all works.
>So in other words, every human born must be eliminated.
Were all pure evil until the Son of God, Christ becomes our reason for being.
Hardly. Inflicting death or physical harm requires certain dealings.
” We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm. “ Geo Orwell
Mr. Orwell understood the difference between forgiveness and protection.
As a man of war and of peace, I understand both dynamics. I sit here writing in my living room with my wife, completely at peace with all, but armed and able to do violence if need be to preserve that peace. I will forgive any one who violates that peace, but will not tolerate any illegal violence on my watch.....
Jesus told his disciples to sell their cloak and buy a sword. I doubt he meant it for use as a wall hanger....
He told the Centurion ( a man similar to me in many ways), to do no unlawful violence to any man....
We are also reminded to give what is Cesar’s to Cesar and to God what is God’s.
Copts (Christians) need to arm and be aware. Of course, the Egyptian ( or most any) government will not tolerate any such thing.....
Your opinion may vary.
>While we are alive, Jesus is pure mercy for us. We need to ask for it always.
Many go right to the Boss and skip the Son. God says to not allow bad people to do harm to innocents.
The elimination of bad people requires logic and understanding.
Forgiveness is only required if the sinner repents and changes their ways.
I don’t see any islamist repentance. Did I miss it?
L
bfl
The Copts are speaking from the heart of Christ. That us where forgiveness for “murder and mayhem” is to be found. Even forgiveness for the worst of all crimes, the crucifixion of the Son of God.
It is easy to misunderstand what forgiveness -— in this profound Christian context -— actually means.
It is not waving the hand to flick away evil like a piece of lint. It does not minimize the horror of heartless, wicked deeds. It does not enable or accommodate the evildoer in his evil. It does not replace or reduce justice.
It does say, “I see this evildoer as one far more damaged than his mutilated victim. What he deserves is hell, but what he needs us the rescue of his soul. Holy Spirit, lead him to repentance! Lord Jesus, save him from eternal fire!”
I was going to say, murder and mayhem are, if not mistakes, errors.
Nevertheless, I remain unsure how far my own sense of forgiveness extends.
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