Tag Archives: Violence

Are you glad they’re dead?

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somali_piratesThis recent incident with the U.S. ship being attacked by pirates really caught a lot of attention. I was a little surprised to find in me a strong sense to see justice done. No, it was more than that. To use Jerry Falwell’s famous line, I wanted someone to “blow them away in the name of the Lord.” It probably comes from watching too many violent movies, but I often find myself longing to see criminals dealt with violently.

Let me say that I think the people involved acted appropriately, that is, I think this was an appropriate police action. What concerns me is what I see in myself and hear at times from other Christians. We can express a love for sinners, but then we turn around and cheer when some of those sinners are killed. There should be no joy at seeing someone’s life taken. Even if we think it was necessary, it should evoke sadness in us.

Like it or not, those men that were felled by sniper’s bullets, those criminals, were men that Jesus loved so much that he died on a cross for them. God loved them. If I’m going to be more like Christ, I’ve got to learn to love them too.

We need to be praying for such people. Praying that they come to know the Lord. Praying for peace in their world, in our world. And now, praying for the friends and families of those who are mourning their loss.

 

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4) We pray for all men. Even pirates.

Violence for Jesus

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I don’t know if you saw the story. “Israeli police have made two arrests after fighting erupted between Armenian and Greek Orthodox clergymen at one of Christianity’s most sacred sites – the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.” Here’s a link to the article. From the Al Jazeera website. No, I don’t frequent that website. Just thought it would help us remember that when Christians fight, the world is watching. A caption under a photo says: “Worshippers kicked and punched each other until Israeli police eventually restored order.” Worshippers?
I’ve never been in a church brawl, nor caught between rival monk gangs as they went at it. But I’ve seen the same spirit. A few times in person, but many more times in print and on the Internet. One brother on one Christian list announced that another “isn’t a Christian.” The Spiritual Sword recently declared that one Christian university is “no longer one of us.” Tempers flare on a regular basis. Insults fly. And somewhere, somehow, the world is still watching.
People will point to Jesus’ denouncement of the Pharisees and Paul’s harsh words toward opponents, finding their justification in such examples. For me personally, I can’t write such things without falling into “hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy,” which you may recognize as some of the works of the flesh from Galatians 5:20-21. There’s no justification for our using tools of the flesh to try and achieve spiritual goals.
Keep pointing out to me when I behave like the brawling monks. And I’ll try and do the same for you.