Engage

The Boston Bombers, Face to Face with Evil

Last week we looked into the face of evil, yet people who knew the Boston Bombers were clueless. Why? The first time I came face to face with raw evil was on a prison ministry trip to the largest women’s penitentiary in west Texas–It was August, no air conditioning, in Block C, known to house the worst trouble-makers. When entering a prison day room, one looks for a friendly face. Usually many smiles greet you, inviting a visit. Most incarcerated women are not evil women. The majority have made horrific choices, with many former alcohol or drugs addicts. But no one smiled back in Block C that day.

Last week we looked into the face of evil, yet people who knew the Boston Bombers were clueless. Why? The first time I came face to face with raw evil was on a prison ministry trip to the largest women’s penitentiary in west Texas–It was August, no air conditioning, in Block C, known to house the worst trouble-makers. When entering a prison day room, one looks for a friendly face. Usually many smiles greet you, inviting a visit. Most incarcerated women are not evil women. The majority have made horrific choices, with many former alcohol or drugs addicts. But no one smiled back in Block C that day.

      Before me sat a woman that resembled an albino Jabba the Hut from Star Wars. Her hair was stark white, her eyes a piercing pale blue, and her four hundred pounds dripped sweat. When she saw my Bible, she gushed King James verses in an eerie monotone voice. Was I afraid? You bet, but at the same time, I sensed the Holy Spirit taking charge. I sat down. After a bit of small talk, she explained that she had been wrongly convicted of several husbands’ murders. Sure. Normally, inmates never tell you why they are there—a red flag.
       She leaned close as if to pull me in and asked if I could help her find a better lawyer. I explained I was not there for that purpose. Then I told her about God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice on her behalf. She recoiled. She eyed me strangely and then said, “You know, I could really hurt you, but there is something between you and me.” I nodded and replied, “Yes, it is the Holy Spirit protecting me.” She grunted and I walked away. I have looked into the eyes of evil and they cowered in the presence of the Lord.
        Some people are easily labeled evil—Adolf Hitler, Charles Manson, Jezebel, the albino convict, and the Boston Bombers.  However, before they commit their evil deeds, most will masquerade their wickedness behind a mask of normalcy, like these two men who placed a deadly explosive next to an 8-year-old. “Normal” evil people may know the Bible (or the Koran) and act spiritual, sometimes super-spiritual. But watch out. They will look for ways to manipulate you for their own self-interest, like predators who seek out innocent children in our Sunday Schools, or men who masquerade as ministers to prey on naive women.
       Allender and Longman write in Bold Love, "All of us are capable of doing evil things, but evil people are driven by a self-interest that is so heartless, conscious, and cruel that it delights in stealing from others the lifeblood of their soul. Often the one who delights in evil is an ordinary, unassuming person who hides behind a façade of normalcy. Few people who are evil ever appear evil, even after the evidence of their deceit, destructiveness, and hardness is exposed."
      The mother who constantly criticizes her children, undermining their dreams for the future, ridiculing their decisions, and spoiling their relationships, may look like an overly enthusiastic parent but instead may be a malicious, jealous woman who enjoys sucking the lifeblood from her offspring. The elderly deacon who runs off multiple pastors may seem like a committed Christian leader but in reality may use his office to secure his own power, unconcerned about the damage to the pastors and their families.
      Solomon wrote about evil people in Proverbs; he called them the wicked and scoffers. How do we treat someone we discern is evil? We love them, but with a tough love, not a naive love. Garner all your strength to love with a love that says, “I will not allow you to win. I will stand in your face and call you on your behavior. I won’t be intimidated or manipulated. Neither will I hate you as you hate me, but instead I will love you. I will expose you with surprises, all for your good, hoping that you repent and change. If you refuse, I will still love you, but I will not allow you to wreck what is good, destroy me, or wreak the damage you desire.”
      How should we respond to the evil that we see more and more in our world today? Solomon tells us in Proverbs 24:19 and 20: Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked, for the evildoer has no future hope and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. Take heart. Be wise, offer Jesus, and continue doing good. For resources read Bold Love (Allender and Longman), People of the Lie (Scott Peck) or  Leading Women Who Wound (Sue Edwards and Kelley Mathews).

Dr. Edwards is Assistant Professor of Christian Education (Specialization: Women's Studies) at Dallas Theological Seminary and holds degrees from Trinity University, DTS, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is the author of New Doors in Ministry to Women, A Fresh Model for Transforming Your Church, Campus, or Mission Field and Women's Retreats, A Creative Planning Guide. She has 30 years experience in Bible teaching, directing women's ministry, retreat and conference speaking, training teams and teachers, and writing curriculum. Married to David for 34 years, she especially enjoys extended family gatherings and romping with her four grandchildren.