Not One Word to Promote Violence Should Come from Our Lips

The problem is that we must be able to disagree–even to declare others wrong–and others should be able to disagree with us as well.

On Sunday a gunman drove into a Mormon church in Grand Blanc Michigan, opened fire, killing 4 attendees and setting the church on fire before eventually being shot and killed by police.

We can all express our opinions regarding the motivation of the shooter.  There are many options, and they are all speculation.

• He was a Marine and a veteran of war in Iraq.  Perhaps he had some post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) struggles that made him act irrationally.  Many veterans are struggling with elements of post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI).  Commonly called PTSD, this is not a psychological condition, it is a brain injury that happens when living in life and death situations for long periods of time. The civilian population has no sense of the depth of pain these men who fought for our country are suffering.
• He shouted that all Mormons are anti-Christ.  Perhaps he had some skewed vision of evangelical Christianity that drove him not only to see Mormons as spiritual opponents, but also worthy of death.
• He had formerly dated a very religious Mormon woman.  Perhaps this tragedy was the result of a romantic relationship and the rejection of a man who was already mentally unstable.
• Perhaps some of these or all combined together to motivate his behavior.

Here is what we do know.  We increasingly see bad actors thinking that overt acts of violence against innocent people are a way to express their anger and frustrations over a society that is in turmoil. People are just not thinking rationally out there.

As always, the victims are not to blame, society is not to blame.  Blame must always be put squarely on the shoulders of the one who commits the crime.

However, wise people do reflect and respond.

As a pastor, writer, and spiritual leader this event reminds me that the people who read what I write, who listen to me speak, and sometimes even those who follow, do not always think through the things I say in the same way I assume they will.

We sometimes speak harsh words of criticism for those who preach a false gospel.  We need to be able to express those criticisms.  But we have to do it in a way that does not give tacit approval for anyone to act violently.

Jesus told us to turn the other cheek.

But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. (Matthew 5:39)

Jesus led a non-violent world-changing movement.  No one in the early church committed crimes in the name of Jesus.  Only later, under the corruption of the Medieval Church were such horrors executed.

Bearing the sword in justice is a governmental responsibility according to Paul in Romans 13.

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will [a]bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 

God places the punishment of criminals and evil doers in the hands of proper authorities, not in the hands of self-styled vigilantes who choose themselves as judge, jury, and executioner. That behavior is evil.

Paul told us to bless our enemies in Romans 12:14.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Not even a curse?  That is what Paul says.  We not only must avoid violence of any kind but also avoid the promotion or proclamation of the desire for violence on others.  That is what a curse is. This is why I have to be careful.  I have to admits that sometimes, over the course of ministry, I have seen some situations in which evil people have done horrible damage to the innocent.  I have prayed diligently for the victims, but I have never publicly cursed the evil ones.  Not because I didn’t want to, but because I have been commanded not to.

Paul told us that vengeance belongs to God, not us.

Romans 12:14–17 says,

Repay no one evil for evil. Have[e] regard for good things in the sight of all men.  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.  Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.

What about the intensely helpless feeling when the government that is tasked with protecting us fails us, or even worse, becomes our persecutor?  This was the situation that the Roman Christians—the people reading his letter for the first time—would face not many days in the future. The final court of appeal for a believer is not the Supreme Court; it is the divine court in heaven.  God not only says that vengeance belongs to him—not to us—but also that He promises He will repay.  We may suffer now, but there is coming a day when the judge of all the earth will make all things right.

Martyrdom was the expected destiny for many early believers (Romans 8:35–38).  Death is the destiny for all of us.  But eternal life awaits and the glory that will be revealed in us is not worthy to be compared with present suffering (Romans 8:18–19).

The entertainment industry is full of violence and hate.  Hate seethes in the echo chambers of online chat rooms, but it must never be part of the church or the conversations of God’s people.

We must preach the love of Christ that made the sacrifice for salvation.

We must condemn all forms of violence, especially in the name of conservative or Christian causes.  This does not mean that we oppose the appropriate administration of justice by properly appointed government personnel, personal self-defense, or the noble sacrifice of defending our nation in the military.

Do I oppose the theology of Mormonism?  Absolutely.  Will I condemn it as eternally damaging to human souls?  Yes, I will.  Does that justify violence against Mormons because I oppose their theology?  Absolutely not!

If they are not free to gather, preach, believe, and live according to the dictates of their consciences neither are we.  This freedom is precious, but to protect it, we must also be willing to protect it for all.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the worshippers of LDS ward of Grand Blanc, Michigan.  It is horrible that they have suffered this tragedy.

May they come to know and understand the love of God through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

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Audio version of this post can be found here: Not One Word to Promote Violence Should Come from Our Lips