Monstrous Mass Murder In Norway

It was like a joining of the Oklahoma City bombing coupled with the deadly rampage at the Columbine High School several years ago. And a peaceful nation is now trying to cope with something they never expected to see after a deranged killer attacked in two separate locations one after the other.

First there came the deadly explosion that shattered multiple windows at the government headquarters in Oslo, Norway and that killed 7 and wounded at least 15 others. It has been called an act of ‘domestic terrorism’.

Then the murderer took out his vengeance on an island youth camp where at least 80, mostly kids, were gunned down in a cold and calculated fashion – something sending chills down the spine of anyone who can even vaguely imagine the horrific scene there. Some of the scared and wounded youth played dead when the gunman got near them and their actions likely saved their lives. Many others were not as fortunate, as he many times returned and shot the motionless bodies again, just to make sure they were dead.

Both attacks, taken together, added up to the deadliest event on Norwegian soil since World War II. The perpetrator was Anders Behring Breivik. He has been characterized by officials as a political conservative and right-wing extremist, as seen by previous writings on his Facebook page. He was said to be anti-Muslim as well, and listed his religion as ‘Christian’. The killer also had a Twitter account apparently belonging to Mr. Breivik with a week-old post stating, “One person with a belief is equal to the force of 100,000 who have only interests.” Tragically, his wretched beliefs were forced into the most evil of actions and many innocent people paid the ultimate price as a result.

Terrorism, in any form, is the ultimate form of brutality and especially cowardice. Few things are more wicked than the actions like those taken in Norway this past week. And the term itself has become a horrible household word across the globe, as such incidents now happen at an alarming frequency. And obviously there is no real way of knowing about, or preventing, being in the ‘line of fire’ for these barbaric moments – at least physically speaking. And this is precisely why God warns in His word of such possibilities in passages like Proverbs 27:1. “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.”

This same concept and biblical wisdom is echoed by James in the New Testament. God’s thoughts are recorded through His servant there in James 4:13-14. “Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

For about 80 souls at the island camp in Norway, they had no idea of how ‘little time’ would make up the boundaries of their young lives. Hopefully some who perished were spiritually ready when the disaster struck since the Bible warns of certain future judgment after this life ends in Hebrews 9:27. It also clearly reveals how to get fully spiritually ready for that all-important moment, in verses like Romans 10:13 which declares, "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."

As far as Mr. Breivik being a Christian, that certainly is more than up for debate, considering his heinous and outrageous actions. Those who become new creations in Christ Jesus, through personal faith, are not perfect. But they are different. They are unique, having been indwelt by the Holy Spirit and given all new hearts according to 2 Corinthians 5:17. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Then, too, in 1 Peter 1:14-16, all true believers are given a tall order as far as how they are to conduct their affairs in this life. The Apostle writes. “as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." It goes without saying that what the killer in Norway did was about as far from this lofty standard required by God as humanly possible.

In addition, it is God alone who truly knows the inner heart of each man. It is also true that just claiming to be a Christian may mean absolutely nothing as is the case with so many who do so. The Bible speaks on this subject through the words of the Savior in Matt 7:13-14. "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

The Lord Himself also physically faced during His earthly ministry those who swore they belonged to Him. But His firm and sobering words to them indicated otherwise. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' (Matthew 7:21-23)

The eternal destiny of those who were so suddenly and cruelly ushered into eternity in the Norway attack is set in stone and final forever. There is no second chance – a principle clearly taught in the Scriptures. All that can be done now is praying for the survivors who have been give a second chance and the loved ones of the slain. Hopefully these will pause and realize how fragile and uncertain life really is. Hopefully they will all somehow realize that they need to do serious business with God and be fully ready to face Him whenever their time on earth ends – young or old! And hopefully they will all be made aware, through this staggering event, their immediate need for a Savior and the absolute truth recorded by the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:1-2.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” 

Bill Breckenridge