‘Charlie Hebdo’: How to React to the Horror

Since Wednesday 7th January 2015, France has been in shock. The attack at the offices of the Charlie Hebdo satirical newspaper left twelve people dead, then five more were killed over the following two days. The French are sad, angry and indignant. How are we, as Christians, to react? Here are some things to consider in our response.

Weep with those who weep

Today we want to weep with those who weep (Rom. 12:15). The event cost the lives of seventeen people. Seventeen people who have families. Seventeen people created in the image of God. Seventeen people whose lives matter to God, and whose lives must count for us.

Pray for families and relatives of victims

We want to pray for those who suffer the loss of a loved one. We want to pray that they may find their solace in God through Christ.

Pray for terrorists and their families

Jesus called us to love our enemies (Matt. 5:43-45). Paul urged us: ‘Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse’ (Rom. 12:14) and ‘Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone’ (Rom. 12:17).

While the anger and indignation is overwhelming, let us remember these lessons and pray for terrorists.

Pray for justice

If on a personal level we must pray for our enemies and turn the other cheek, we can also pray that justice will be applied through existing authorities. In his grace God has established the authorities to restrict and punish evil: ‘For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer’ (Rom. 13:4).

Point to heavenly justice

If we do not have to avenge ourselves, it is because we know that justice belongs not to us, but to God: ‘Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord’ (Rom. 12:19). We also know that true justice does not exist in this world and we want to point to the true justice, which is from above.

Remind ourselves that the world is twisted

The world is going wrong. This barbarism is not normal, not acceptable. The world should not look like that. We know all this bears the mark of sin. It is as if there is a memory card in our mind and conscience which tells us that the world was once in a better state.

But the world is not only twisted. We are all twisted. Rousseau said that ‘Man is born good; it is society that corrupts him.’ But the Bible says otherwise: Man is born bad. The problem does not come from outside but from within.

Remember that the only solution is a new heart

If we talk about justice, we must remember that we are all guilty before God (Rom. 3:10, 23). Then we remind ourselves of our need for grace and want to extend that grace to all by preaching the gospel. We want to reiterate that it is the heart that is bad. And that the only solution is a new heart (Ezek. 36:26-27).

Be peacemakers

In these times of violence, we want to reaffirm our role as peacemakers. Although, as a Christian, I did not agree with everything Charlie Hebdo said nor their way of saying it, I do not want to create unnecessary controversy right now. We want to witness to the peace within us and the peace that God offers to the world in Jesus. We leave the debates and controversies for later.

Remember the persecuted church

This tragic event is an opportunity to remind us that brothers and sisters in Christ are dying every day because of their Christian faith. We must remain conscious of those who are far away and suffering, even if we do not always talk about them. On the other hand, let us not make the mistake of becoming so focused on those suffering far away that we forget the people suffering around us here and now.

Be witnesses

We are called to be witnesses. Let our words be gentle (Prov. 15:1), full of sweetness. Seek the wisdom and love to know how to react and how to talk about this event with those around us. We are called to be lights. The light shines brighter in the darkness.

Pray for continuous peace and democracy

National unity was the theme of the huge rally in France [on Sunday 11th January], with a record mobilisation of at least 3.7 million people across the country. People have compared it to the Liberation demonstrations in 1944! At the end of an alarming week, morale is back; for a time at least, we are reassured!

While the rally reflects the determination of the demonstrators to bounce back from the horror of the recent attacks, the deep divisions of French society cannot be minimised.

If you want to see a sobering opposite to the dominant mood, have a look at the ‘Je ne suis pas Charlie’ (I am not Charlie) Facebook page. As I write, it has received more than 24,000 likes in the last few days. The mainly Muslim French people who have liked the page are not supporters of violence. The vast majority are not happy with the Kouachis’ and Coulibaly’s acts of violence. But they also make it clear they would not take part in a national movement that backs people who insult Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam. (By the way, the Moroccan delegation, for example, who were at the Elysée on Sunday presented the heartfelt condolences of the Kingdom of Morocco, but did not take part in the rally in Paris ‘because of the presence of blasphemous caricatures of the Prophet in the rally’ said the Moroccan exterior minister.)

Over and again they express their anger at what they see as double standards: Why is it all right for Charlie Hebdo to mock Islam when the controversial comic Dieudonne M’bala M’bala is prosecuted for mocking Jews? Why is one defined as ‘inciting hatred’ and not the other? France is far from united. The danger is real and we need to pray.

Cling to our hope

We know that our hope is in the new heavens and the new earth. We know that before the return of Jesus Christ and his justice, we will continue to live in a world stained by sin. But we want to reassure ourselves by clinging to the glorious hope that God promises us: He ‘will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away’ (Rev. 21:4).