But now, a different perspective, and indeed, the perspective I should have considered first and foremost: in all roles in a hostage crisis such as this, what constitutes a proper and godly Christian response? It’s given, of course, that we should all pray for Angelo De la Cruz’s survival and safe return, regardless of how governments and terrorists react. But what about the hostage himself, or an embattled president attempting to deal with conflicting national and international opinion? Is this a proper context for cheek-turning?

It’s said of Fabrizio Quattrocchi, the Italian hostage in Iraq, that just before the terrorists killed him, he struggled defiantly, yelling, “Now, I will show you how an Italian dies!” Brave, proud words, those, but would a bible-believing Christian do well to die in like manner? The prophecied example of Christ is like sheep to a slaughter. Yet at the same time, balance this against the selfless act of rallying countrymen to bravery and denying terrorists a demoralizing propaganda tool. Christians, how should we react in such a circumstance?

Related book to add to the reading list: “AmongIn the Presence of My Enemies,” by Gracia Burnham. (Don’t know how I could have made such an obvious typo. Thanks, Cat.)