Joe Carter, web editor for First Things, urges Christians to temper any relief at bin Laden’s death with humility and the understanding that those who commit evil acts are “fallen, sacred yet degraded,” human beings.

David Brody, chief political correspondent for CBN News, criticized Obama’s somber tone in announcing the death. “How about showing a little joy?” wrote Brody, suggesting that the president was overly concerned about Arab reaction.

Read a blog post at America magazine, the Jesuit weekly, titled “What is the Christian Response to Bin Laden’s Death?” It is written by the Rev. James Martin and argues that “as a Christian … I cannot rejoice at the death of a human being, no matter how monstrous he was.”

Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, cautions against celebratory reactions to Osama bin Laden’s death and says bin Laden did not have an earthly court trial but won’t escape God’s judgment. Mohler also describes the raid as fully acceptable under just-war theory.

Christianity Today has a blog post titled “How Should Christians Respond to Osama bin Laden’s Death?” It rounds up some initial reactions to bin Laden’s 2011 killing.

The Vatican called for reflection, not rejoicing, at the news of Osama bin Laden’s killing.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, on May 5, 2011, voiced reservations about the killing of bin Laden and the varying accounts of the episode. Read an article from The Telegraph about the controversy his remarks generated.

What are the laws regarding how churches and religious institutions comply with government guidelines? By Charles Austin The Record* Because the phrase, “freedom of religion,” is a beloved mantra of American democracy, the relationship between religion and civil authority is one of the most complicated and misunderstood aspects of modern life. In fact, religion in […]

Paul L. Gavrilyuk is an associate professor in theology at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. His publications include “Eastern Orthodoxy,” The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Religion (2007).