A Christian Response to a Violent World

[James Nored]

A Christian Response to a Violent World

The recent, tragic shooting in Aurora, CO at the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises, is an event which calls for prayer, lament, and comfort to be extended to the victims and their families. It is a national tragedy, much like 9/11, and thus calls for a national lament. Such national laments are found in the Psalms, such as Psalm 79, in which the Psalmist laments the destruction of Jerusalem. This Sunday we will be reading a portion of Psalm 79 during our worship to give voice to this national tragedy.

The shooting in Aurora also gives rise to reflection upon the seeming rise of violence in our society and what our response ought to be as individual Christians and as a church.

A biblical study of violence is revealing, even just a word study. Right away, it is noted that the reason that God destroys Noah's world is violence: "¹¹ Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. ¹² God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. ¹³ So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth (Gen. 6:11-13) This surely should give pause to any society that is violent. Many, in fact, believe, that God's judgment will follow violent societies/nations, leading to many living in difficult times (such as David Lipscomb in the Civil War) to have an apocalyptic worldview.

• Violence is an act of injustice (Job 19:7).
• The wicked "love violence" (Ps. 11:5).
• Violence is linked to "strife" (55:9), "oppression" (Ps. 72:14), "pride" (Ps. 73:6), unfaithfulness (Prov. 13:2), war (Isa. 42:25), and acts against the innocent (Isa. 53:9).
• A land without violence marks the future world where God's rule is acknowledged and followed (60:18).
• Jeremiah 22:3 is a good summary of who violence should not be directed against: "This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place" (Jer. 22:3).
• Violence arouses the anger of God, and causes the land to be stripped (Ezek. 8:17, 12:19).
• Nineveh was called upon to give up its violence (Jn. 3:8).
• Habakkuk is a lament against God not acting against the violence done to God's people.
• Zepheniah speaks of priests who profane the sanctuary of God and do violence to the law (Zeph. 3:4).
• Divorce is an act of violence. “The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the LORD, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the LORD Almighty (Mal. 2:16).
• Mt. 11:12 is a difficult passage on the kingdom of heaven and violence, but seems to be saying that violent people have always sought to violate God's kingdom shalom (peace).
• Paul was subjected to the violence of a mob (Acts 21:35).
• Elders are called to not be violent, but gentle (1 Tim. 3:3).
• Revelation speaks of Babylon being destroyed with violence (Rev. 18:21).

From these passages and others, it would seem that violence is the bringing of hurt or destruction into the lives of others--often to those who are innocent, defenseless or marginalized. This destruction can be physical, emotional, or spiritual, and is motivated by or linked to a degrading society, godlessness, strife, oppression, pride, unfaithfulness, and war. Natural violence is a result of sin entering into the world (Gen 3), and Satan sometimes uses these forces (Job).

Thus, there are all kinds of violence in the world today, including:

• Physical abuse
• Sexual Abuse (so vividly exhibited in the Sandusky/Penn State Sexual Abuse scandal)
• Bullying
• Verbal abuse
• Gossip (which is violence to one's reputation, self-esteem)
• Control of others
• Divorce - click here for a great article on this from John Mark Hicks
• Cancer, disease, and death
• Division in a church
• Theft, rape, murder
• War

This is the world in which we live in--a violent world. In contrast, violence is not found in God's kingdom, and it is a violation of kingdom values. God uses violence at times in a fallen world to deal out punishment against evildoers, and he even uses the ultimate violent act--crucifixion--to save the world. 

So, how should Christians respond to this violent world? In several ways.

1. First, we should not participate in violence or imitate the violent ways around us. Obviously, physical abuse is totally out of the question for a person of God. But so too is verbal abuse. We must not name call, belittle, or be harsh with our spouse or children. We should not be stirring up anger and hatred on Facebook or in the office. We should be careful about the emails that we send out and the words that we say. Far too many political comments appear unkind and violent, stirring up hatred and anger. We should look for gentleness and an utter lack of violence in our church leaders--which includes how they talk and act to the flock and to one another.
2. Second, we should be sources of healing for those who have suffered violence. And in this broken world, this is virtually everyone around us to some extent or another. We cannot heal every person. But we can be a healer of those around us. Our co-workers. Our family members. Churches can heal their communities. How do we provide this healing? Through love, gentleness, kindness, all the rest of the fruit of the spirit, counseling, warmth, encouragement.
3. Third, we should be proactive in preventing violence by sharing Christ with the world.  I remember in one of my family life classes learning that one man had been the cause of 250 crimes/violent acts done through his family. But in the same way, if we can reach one person for Christ, this can have a positive effect down through the generations for that family, resulting in 250 or more blessings. Christ is the only hope for our violent world. If we want to save it, we can start by sharing Christ with our family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers--one person at a time.

What do you think is the cause of all of the violence in the world today? Are we more violent today than in previous generations? What other forms of violence can you think of? Which of the above had you not thought of as being violence before?

 

[James Nored]

Wow, Steve. That girl's story is amazing. So much pain and loss. And a decision to follow Christ and be baptized. A lesson for us all--life is violent, and sometimes, way too short. Thank you so much for sharing this. I will definitely be re-telling her story.

I like your thoughts on this not being the time to get on a high horse or argue a lot about gun control, but instead it being a time to reach out to those in pain and to pray. Absolutely. That is, I believe, what Christ would do. And are we not supposed to be Christ to the world? 

Christ transformed the world through his love and by dying for the world. Why do we think that we can transform the world through laws and the like?

[Steve Martin]

This horrible event has been rough on those of us in Colorado. A member of our congregation ended up leading worship in the congregation in Aurora the following Sunday - he said it was not at all easy. Lots of intense emotions all around.

I don't have a lot to say regarding your post, James - really good thoughts. I will agree that it's vital that, when things like this happen, that we take care to react as Christ would have us react, and not as the world would react. This isn't a time to get on our high horses about gun control - on EITHER side of the issue - or complain about laws or hope the guy "gets the chair" or other things I've heard thrown around. It's a time to open our hearts to those in pain, and open our hearts to those pleased by this (there are some), and especially pray like mad for the man who felt it important that he do so much violence. 

I was impressed by the maturity of a young (15yr old) girl I recently got to know as I served at a youth camp a couple weeks ago. Four of her friends were killed in this tragedy, and here is a partial (redacted) set of her Facebook posts from the day of and following the shooting. It's kind of a long read, but moving - pay special attention to her last post...

"A lot of my friends were at the theater in Colorado when the shooting occurred, my thoughts and prayers are with you guys, along with the rest affected."

"Finally confirmed, 2 of my friends were among the 12 that were killed.... My thoughts and prayers are with their families, and the rest of the families affected by this senseless act of violence. I'm being kept posted if there are anymore. Which my gut feeling says there's more."

"3 more friends are "missing." They've said that theres about 10 bodies still in the theater that have not been identified. I pray that they're in the hospital and were just missed and not ones still in the theater."

"Received some very good and worse news tonight: One of the 3 friends missing has also been confirmed dead... Another of the 3 is in critical condition, but alive. Still no word on my other friend that was possibly killed that was mentioned earlier, and the last one of the 3 is still missing. We're all praying hard for you guys."

"Can't sleep... All this worry is slowly eating away at me.."

"Just heard our other friend was also killed... But from what they told me she died almost instantly, with no pain... That still leaves one friend missing."

"For the longest time I didn't have many people to turn to when I needed help, but since this last week at camp I am surrounded by so many Christians so willing to drop anything they're doing to help anyway they can. Words cannot express how thankful I am for all your guys support and prayers."

"The last friend who was missing is in the hospital in critical care, but is doing well. Thank you everybody for all of your prayers."

"God be with you Rebecca, Jessica, Veronica, and Jon. And to everybody else affected. I hope I will see you guys again one day.."

"The worst is over now. Now comes the long road of recovery... And even forgiveness"

 

Yes - she lost 4 people in this, and is already thinking of forgiveness. Wow.

 

The most amazing part - since this has all happened, she has decided to get baptized. In her words "I, for one, do not want to be one of those people in the end that say "I wasn't given enough time..."

 

God can help us find the good - no matter how evil the act. He's always there.

[James Nored]

Thanks for your thoughts, Steve. Yes, telling people that they are no more than animals does not help people respect themselves or others. Violence, though, goes well before Darwin, obviously, as God destroyed the world of Noah's time due to their violence.

You are certainly correct that humanity strayed away from its intended purpose as God's greatest creation. We often sin by acting like we are no more than animals.

I'm not sure if violence is increasing or not. Certainly, as you point out, we are more aware of it today more quickly due to the speed and ubiquitous nature of modern communication.

Glad that you liked the article. I do indeed try to do more than just complain! :)

[Steve Davis]

I think violence in the world is caused by a lack of respect for human life.

Our culture does not lift up the importance of being human.

To many people believe we are just another "animal species."

But human beings are more than an animal.

Human beings are creatures whose breath and being come from God.

Humanity has strayed away from their intended purpose as God's greatest creation.

Human history is full of violence.  I think we are more aware of violence today because of the 

increase in technology.  1st century communication was word of mouth or hand carried letters.

20 to 50 years ago weekly and daily newspapers, some radio and TV were the main sources of news.  Now, violence can be recorded on a cell phone, and in seconds be on the internet and beat the news media to the punch.

I liked your article.  Offering a christian response is refreshing from just complaining about what is going on in the world.