I read with shock about President Obama's speech where he called Israel back to 1967 borders. That would call for Israel to surrender half of Jerusalem and a great deal of the land that was Biblically promised to Abraham in Genesis. I cannot tell you the feelings that I got reading this- disbelief, sadness, horror, betrayal.
This is a bad move for many reasons. First, I will start off with the Biblical reasons. I happen to believe we are in the season of the Lord's return as prophesied in Revelation. One of the signs that we will see right before the Lord's return is the coming of the world against Israel. Zechariah 12:2-3 says, "“I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves."
So, the Bible says all nations will be gathered against Israel in the end times, including the US. We have been the largest supporter of Israel, and we have been blessed because of it. In Genesis, God promises Abraham, "Whoever blesses you I will bless, whoever curses you I will curse." Second, the Zechariah text states that Jerusalem will be an immovable rock- no one can change the borders. Third, the text states that all who try to move it will injure themselves- basically saying that if we mess with Israel and try to move it, we will incur injury. I believe this will be in the forms of natural disasters- hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, etc (let me see- seen any of those recently?). Israel is God's chosen nation; His chosen people. They are not to be messed with. Those who do so do it at their own risk.
Second, this is bad from a foreign policy standpoint. Israel is about the only friend in the Middle East that we have. To publicly and internationally humiliate them by calling them back to the 1967 borders is folly. Obama has a track record of disrespecting our allies, from NATO countries to Israel and beyond, and it will come back to bite us when we need them.
I am incredibly uneasy with this call from the President. While I respect his office and honor him as leader, this is a decision and policy I do not and cannot agree with. This is an alarming development in our world- much more alarming than anything I've seen recently. Obama, pick up your Bible and read it- realize the significance of what you are saying.
Worship Night
Catalyst Christian Church, Nicholasville, KY
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Why I SERIOUSLY don't care what Celebrities Say about Anything
“[Marriage is a] dying institution. I don't think we should live our lives in relationships based off old traditions that don't suit our world any longer."
This was a quote from actress Cameron Diaz. Now, I understand that she is insulated in her little Hollywood bubble where the real world rarely penetrates, and I also realize she may have had bad experiences with marriage growing up (which many of us do), but to make such a statement is at best mistaken, and at worst, dangerous.
To say that marriage doesn't suit our world any longer is like saying that cells don't suit our bodies any longer. The body is made up of about 75 trillion cells, and when those cells get sick or die, the entire body suffers. Family is to society what cells are to the human body. It is the fundamental building block of any nation or society, and if the family gets sick or dies, the nation or society dies along with it. I would argue that with a few notable exceptions, families with married parents are more stable than single-parent families. That's not to diminish the work being done by single parents. Many of them do a great job with the stresses involved. But I would argue that having two parents makes the job much easier.
Now, the only way a two-parent situation builds the optimal family unit is if there is permanence. That goes without saying. Marriage is the answer, or should be, for that permanence. So, if marriage is the key to having a stable, two-parent family, and if the family is to society what cells are to the body, then I would make the case that marriage not only "suits our world," as Ms Diaz puts it, but it ESSENTIAL to our world.
So, if that is all just plain common sense, why would Ms. Diaz say something like that? Well, Ms Diaz is simply reflecting a disturbing trend that is becoming more and more common in our society. That is simply self-centeredness. The self-centered person is all about me, me, me. The self-centered person can't stand making commitments and sacrifice, because that would take maturity and wisdom- both of which run contrary to self-centeredness. The self-centered person sees marriage as something that is good as long as it benefits me (and it has to benefit me every moment, not just some of the time or most of the time). The self-centered person never sees himself or herself as part of a larger picture. All the self-centered person sees is me, me, me.
To a self-centered person, marriage is the ultimate death-threat. Marriage is not easy nor is it always fun, rewarding, or fulfilling. It takes work, commitment, and sacrifice. It also brings joy, stability, productivity, and lifelong committed love. Plus, and you never hear this from Hollywood, married people have better sex. That's just an aside, though. :)
So, Ms Diaz is basically saying that since we are such a self-centered society, marriage doesn't fit our world any more. She makes a good point. Marriage will not work where there is childish self-centeredness. It will fail. However, marriage is not the problem. Self-centeredness is the problem. The same self-centeredness that runs contrary to marriage will ultimately destroy this nation, just like a virus that destroys cells in your body. Ever wonder how something as tiny as a virus could kill a human? It does it one cell at a time. The virus knows that in order to destroy the body, you must destroy it at the most basic level- the cellular level. The same is true of any society or nation- in order to destroy it, you have to take out the family. If you can't take out the family completely, then make the families sick. Split up the parents. Get couples living in "I'll stay in as long as it is good for me" relationships so that the transmission of values to the next generation never happens. Grow up an entire generation of kids who never had fathers in the home. Grow up an entire generation of kids living in two separate homes every other weekend, never having stability or the foundation of a secure, stable home. That sounds like a great way to kill a nation.
So, keep at it, Ms Diaz. You and all your self-centered movie stars out in the the fantasy world of Hollywood just don't get it. Continue living in your perpetual adolescence where the end of your nose is where your vision stops. My advice? Stick to acting. We like your movies- but we can't stand your philosophies.
This was a quote from actress Cameron Diaz. Now, I understand that she is insulated in her little Hollywood bubble where the real world rarely penetrates, and I also realize she may have had bad experiences with marriage growing up (which many of us do), but to make such a statement is at best mistaken, and at worst, dangerous.
To say that marriage doesn't suit our world any longer is like saying that cells don't suit our bodies any longer. The body is made up of about 75 trillion cells, and when those cells get sick or die, the entire body suffers. Family is to society what cells are to the human body. It is the fundamental building block of any nation or society, and if the family gets sick or dies, the nation or society dies along with it. I would argue that with a few notable exceptions, families with married parents are more stable than single-parent families. That's not to diminish the work being done by single parents. Many of them do a great job with the stresses involved. But I would argue that having two parents makes the job much easier.
Now, the only way a two-parent situation builds the optimal family unit is if there is permanence. That goes without saying. Marriage is the answer, or should be, for that permanence. So, if marriage is the key to having a stable, two-parent family, and if the family is to society what cells are to the body, then I would make the case that marriage not only "suits our world," as Ms Diaz puts it, but it ESSENTIAL to our world.
So, if that is all just plain common sense, why would Ms. Diaz say something like that? Well, Ms Diaz is simply reflecting a disturbing trend that is becoming more and more common in our society. That is simply self-centeredness. The self-centered person is all about me, me, me. The self-centered person can't stand making commitments and sacrifice, because that would take maturity and wisdom- both of which run contrary to self-centeredness. The self-centered person sees marriage as something that is good as long as it benefits me (and it has to benefit me every moment, not just some of the time or most of the time). The self-centered person never sees himself or herself as part of a larger picture. All the self-centered person sees is me, me, me.
To a self-centered person, marriage is the ultimate death-threat. Marriage is not easy nor is it always fun, rewarding, or fulfilling. It takes work, commitment, and sacrifice. It also brings joy, stability, productivity, and lifelong committed love. Plus, and you never hear this from Hollywood, married people have better sex. That's just an aside, though. :)
So, Ms Diaz is basically saying that since we are such a self-centered society, marriage doesn't fit our world any more. She makes a good point. Marriage will not work where there is childish self-centeredness. It will fail. However, marriage is not the problem. Self-centeredness is the problem. The same self-centeredness that runs contrary to marriage will ultimately destroy this nation, just like a virus that destroys cells in your body. Ever wonder how something as tiny as a virus could kill a human? It does it one cell at a time. The virus knows that in order to destroy the body, you must destroy it at the most basic level- the cellular level. The same is true of any society or nation- in order to destroy it, you have to take out the family. If you can't take out the family completely, then make the families sick. Split up the parents. Get couples living in "I'll stay in as long as it is good for me" relationships so that the transmission of values to the next generation never happens. Grow up an entire generation of kids who never had fathers in the home. Grow up an entire generation of kids living in two separate homes every other weekend, never having stability or the foundation of a secure, stable home. That sounds like a great way to kill a nation.
So, keep at it, Ms Diaz. You and all your self-centered movie stars out in the the fantasy world of Hollywood just don't get it. Continue living in your perpetual adolescence where the end of your nose is where your vision stops. My advice? Stick to acting. We like your movies- but we can't stand your philosophies.
Friday, May 6, 2011
The Power of Inertia
I remember well sitting in science class in high school and learning about inertia. The law of inertia states that objects will remain in their current state of motion unless acted upon by an outside force. In other words, a ball will stay where it is on the ground unless someone kicks it, throws it, or it rolls downhill (acted upon by gravity).
I have recently realized the power of this physical law on the spiritual lives of Christians. I have often wondered why it is that some people can go to church for months, years, decades and remain basically the same. I have often wondered why others can come to church and be radically altered in a short while. I have wondered how two hundred or two thousand people can hear the same message, read the same passage of Scripture, sing the same song, pray the same prayer- and yet have exceedingly different results.
The law of spiritual inertia says two things: 1) you will stay exactly where you are (that's the natural default mode of humanity. Don't change. Resist change. Stay where you are. It's safe, it's comfortable, it's familiar) unless 2) you are acted upon by an outside force. The outside force that acts upon us is the very Spirit of God. Because the default mode of people is spiritual stagnation and complacency, it takes an active effort on the part of the believer to allow the Spirit of God to move us. It takes intentional surrender and intentional action to break out of the current state of motion you are in. The default mode of humanity is NOT the pursuit of God and His purpose for you. The default mode is inaction. Laziness. Spiritual apathy.
I believe it is important for pastors to understand the spiritual law of inertia. Our congregations, barring intentional surrender to the outside action of the Holy Spirit, are complying with the law of inertia, remaining where they are, who they are, and being totally okay with it. I believe it is important for every Christian to realize that once the Spirit acts upon you and moves you, you develop momentum, and that momentum keeps you moving forward.
However, the Spirit of God isn't the only outside force acting upon you. Why, when you kick or throw a ball, does it eventually stop? Another force is at work known as friction. Friction stops forward motion and returns an object to a standstill. If you develop momentum in your Christian life, being acted upon by the Spirit of God, you will encounter friction. Friction from other believers, friction from the unbelieving world, friction from just about anywhere you can imagine. This world fears someone with spiritual momentum. It fears anything different, anything unique, anything that is revolutionary.
Today, allow yourself to be acted upon by the outside force of the Spirit of God. There is probably a great deal more in life that God wants for you than you are currently living. Go for it.
I have recently realized the power of this physical law on the spiritual lives of Christians. I have often wondered why it is that some people can go to church for months, years, decades and remain basically the same. I have often wondered why others can come to church and be radically altered in a short while. I have wondered how two hundred or two thousand people can hear the same message, read the same passage of Scripture, sing the same song, pray the same prayer- and yet have exceedingly different results.
The law of spiritual inertia says two things: 1) you will stay exactly where you are (that's the natural default mode of humanity. Don't change. Resist change. Stay where you are. It's safe, it's comfortable, it's familiar) unless 2) you are acted upon by an outside force. The outside force that acts upon us is the very Spirit of God. Because the default mode of people is spiritual stagnation and complacency, it takes an active effort on the part of the believer to allow the Spirit of God to move us. It takes intentional surrender and intentional action to break out of the current state of motion you are in. The default mode of humanity is NOT the pursuit of God and His purpose for you. The default mode is inaction. Laziness. Spiritual apathy.
I believe it is important for pastors to understand the spiritual law of inertia. Our congregations, barring intentional surrender to the outside action of the Holy Spirit, are complying with the law of inertia, remaining where they are, who they are, and being totally okay with it. I believe it is important for every Christian to realize that once the Spirit acts upon you and moves you, you develop momentum, and that momentum keeps you moving forward.
However, the Spirit of God isn't the only outside force acting upon you. Why, when you kick or throw a ball, does it eventually stop? Another force is at work known as friction. Friction stops forward motion and returns an object to a standstill. If you develop momentum in your Christian life, being acted upon by the Spirit of God, you will encounter friction. Friction from other believers, friction from the unbelieving world, friction from just about anywhere you can imagine. This world fears someone with spiritual momentum. It fears anything different, anything unique, anything that is revolutionary.
Today, allow yourself to be acted upon by the outside force of the Spirit of God. There is probably a great deal more in life that God wants for you than you are currently living. Go for it.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sympathy of Iran(ians)
One of the great things about playing soccer is the number of people from foreign countries and cultures that you get to meet. Last night I went over to the Indoor Soccer Arena to play the final game of the season. Many of the teams were short on players, and I wound up playing on three different teams over the course of 2.5 hours. Awesome night.
One of the teams I played on was called FC Persia. It was called that for a good reason- the entire team was from Iran. In between games, I got to talking with them. They were super nice guys and were very open to talking about their country. I asked one of them, "What is your honest opinion of Ahdmedinijad (or however you spell his name)? He said, "He's a tyrant. The whole world HATES US because of him. Nobody likes him- he only keeps power by brute force. He kills his own citizens. It's terrible over there."
Once again, another one of my stereotypes was shattered. I realized again how people who live in a free society have no right to criticize people who live in totalitarian societies. Because of news stories and all that, I have been conditioned to think that the crazy Iranian president truly did represent his people. What I found last night was that the Iranian people don't support him, don't like him, and are very well aware of what people in the world think of them because of him. These people were not fanatics, they were not jihadists. They were not Holocaust-denying psychos bent on punishing the infidels. They were people with their own thoughts, own beliefs, and own criticisms of their country.
They couldn't believe how Americans were allowed to speak about their President. They couldn't believe that Americans could walk into a store and buy a gun- in Iran, gun ownership is illegal. I guess it's difficult to terrorize your own people when they can shoot back, right Ahdmedinijad? They loved many things about America- most of them said they were never going back to Iran. Several of them had family members and friends that had been imprisoned or killed by the government over there.
Walking away from that soccer game, I had a new view on Iran. Or, should I say, Iranians. They have my sympathy- I have never lived under a tyrant. I have never lived in a totalitarian society where the rights of people aren't respected. I have never felt the disapproval of the world like the Iranians have- all for things they have no control over. While I still believe Iran to be a dangerous country, I don't blame the Iranian people. They hate their government as much as we do.
Lastly, they were very interested in the fact that I was a minister. I told them I pastored a church. They said, "Hmm!" Then they invited me to be on their team. I plan to go back and play with them. Maybe they will want to hear about Jesus. Even if they don't, I look forward to hearing more about their side of the world.
One of the teams I played on was called FC Persia. It was called that for a good reason- the entire team was from Iran. In between games, I got to talking with them. They were super nice guys and were very open to talking about their country. I asked one of them, "What is your honest opinion of Ahdmedinijad (or however you spell his name)? He said, "He's a tyrant. The whole world HATES US because of him. Nobody likes him- he only keeps power by brute force. He kills his own citizens. It's terrible over there."
Once again, another one of my stereotypes was shattered. I realized again how people who live in a free society have no right to criticize people who live in totalitarian societies. Because of news stories and all that, I have been conditioned to think that the crazy Iranian president truly did represent his people. What I found last night was that the Iranian people don't support him, don't like him, and are very well aware of what people in the world think of them because of him. These people were not fanatics, they were not jihadists. They were not Holocaust-denying psychos bent on punishing the infidels. They were people with their own thoughts, own beliefs, and own criticisms of their country.
They couldn't believe how Americans were allowed to speak about their President. They couldn't believe that Americans could walk into a store and buy a gun- in Iran, gun ownership is illegal. I guess it's difficult to terrorize your own people when they can shoot back, right Ahdmedinijad? They loved many things about America- most of them said they were never going back to Iran. Several of them had family members and friends that had been imprisoned or killed by the government over there.
Walking away from that soccer game, I had a new view on Iran. Or, should I say, Iranians. They have my sympathy- I have never lived under a tyrant. I have never lived in a totalitarian society where the rights of people aren't respected. I have never felt the disapproval of the world like the Iranians have- all for things they have no control over. While I still believe Iran to be a dangerous country, I don't blame the Iranian people. They hate their government as much as we do.
Lastly, they were very interested in the fact that I was a minister. I told them I pastored a church. They said, "Hmm!" Then they invited me to be on their team. I plan to go back and play with them. Maybe they will want to hear about Jesus. Even if they don't, I look forward to hearing more about their side of the world.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Importance of Fundamentals
Yesterday was a different kind of day- normally my middle school soccer team (which I am very proud of) has games Tuesdays and Thursdays, but this past Thursday we had a team cancel on us, and we just had practice. Seeing as how we don't play until next Tuesday, there wasn't anything pressing to work on, and I decided it would simply be a day where we hit fundamentals very hard.
For an hour and a half I ran my players through things they learned (or should have learned) when they were 6 years old. Over and over again they practiced striking the ball with accuracy, receiving a ball and controlling it, etc. I'm sure it was boring. I'm sure it wasn't thrilling to these guys.
I believe this is a life lesson that applies to everything: when the fundamentals are good, everything is good. You can apply this lesson anywhere, anytime. Why is our government in so much debt? The fundamental law- spend less than you make- wasn't followed. Why are our schools being outperformed by dozens of other countries? We've neglected fundamentals of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Why are our churches so anemic? We don't know the first thing about the Bible. We don't know who Jesus is. We don't know anything about grace.
The fundamentals. The building blocks of life. The best soccer teams I've ever been on were ones that did the ordinary things- dribbling, passing, defense- extraordinarily well. The best churches I've been in are ones that do the ordinary things- prayer, study, love, grace- extraordinarily well. The most effective Christians I know are ones that have strong fundamental beliefs that lead and guide in every aspect of their lives.
Perhaps it is time to refocus on the fundamentals. Are they exciting? No. Are they thrilling? Nope. Do they make headlines? Not often. Are they essential? Absolutely.
One of my players actually complained yesterday. He said, "You should make this exciting." I stopped practice, called my team around me, and said this, "Let me tell you what "exciting" is. "Exciting" is when the other team knows this stuff and you don't. "Exciting" is when the other team can shoot with accuracy and you can't. "Exciting" is when the other team knows how to play defense and you don't. Exciting? You guys don't need "exciting." You guys need to learn how to play the game."
Maybe Christians are the same way. Maybe we need to learn how to play the game instead of wanting everything to be "exciting." Maybe we need to sit in silence for awhile, basking in the presence of God. Exciting? Maybe not. Maybe we need to begin a serious study of God's Word, not just a verse here and there. Exciting? Maybe, maybe not. Maybe a little less emphasis on excitement and a little more emphasis on fundamentals is exactly what our anemic, comfortable, non-controversial churches need these days. Maybe it's simply what I need.
For an hour and a half I ran my players through things they learned (or should have learned) when they were 6 years old. Over and over again they practiced striking the ball with accuracy, receiving a ball and controlling it, etc. I'm sure it was boring. I'm sure it wasn't thrilling to these guys.
I believe this is a life lesson that applies to everything: when the fundamentals are good, everything is good. You can apply this lesson anywhere, anytime. Why is our government in so much debt? The fundamental law- spend less than you make- wasn't followed. Why are our schools being outperformed by dozens of other countries? We've neglected fundamentals of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Why are our churches so anemic? We don't know the first thing about the Bible. We don't know who Jesus is. We don't know anything about grace.
The fundamentals. The building blocks of life. The best soccer teams I've ever been on were ones that did the ordinary things- dribbling, passing, defense- extraordinarily well. The best churches I've been in are ones that do the ordinary things- prayer, study, love, grace- extraordinarily well. The most effective Christians I know are ones that have strong fundamental beliefs that lead and guide in every aspect of their lives.
Perhaps it is time to refocus on the fundamentals. Are they exciting? No. Are they thrilling? Nope. Do they make headlines? Not often. Are they essential? Absolutely.
One of my players actually complained yesterday. He said, "You should make this exciting." I stopped practice, called my team around me, and said this, "Let me tell you what "exciting" is. "Exciting" is when the other team knows this stuff and you don't. "Exciting" is when the other team can shoot with accuracy and you can't. "Exciting" is when the other team knows how to play defense and you don't. Exciting? You guys don't need "exciting." You guys need to learn how to play the game."
Maybe Christians are the same way. Maybe we need to learn how to play the game instead of wanting everything to be "exciting." Maybe we need to sit in silence for awhile, basking in the presence of God. Exciting? Maybe not. Maybe we need to begin a serious study of God's Word, not just a verse here and there. Exciting? Maybe, maybe not. Maybe a little less emphasis on excitement and a little more emphasis on fundamentals is exactly what our anemic, comfortable, non-controversial churches need these days. Maybe it's simply what I need.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Good Christian B**ches
I recently heard that there was a new show planning to run on ABC called, "Good Christian Bitches." It's about a lady who returns to a community and is the subject of malicious talk from the women in the Christian community. No doubt it will be a cross between Desperate Housewives, The Real Housewives of Whatever County, and Sex in the City.
I'm not here to say whether or not it should be aired. My first thought on the subject was, "Why do the writers of this show have this material to work with?" The sin of gossip and slander, unfortunately, is probably the most obvious act of disobedience to Scripture in the church. It is everywhere. Everywhere you look, Christian people, men and women (but women in particular- I'm not being sexist, just observant) slander and gossip and talk maliciously about just about anything you can think of. As a minister, I have been the subject of more malicious talk, gossip, and slander in the church than just about anyone else I know. It flows freely in Christian communities, Christian families, and Christian events.
The thing that hurts even worse is when the unbelieving world sees it and we don't. The writers for this show, unfortunately, aren't going to have to make up ANYTHING. All they have to do is attend church for a few months and they will have all the material they will need. All they have to do is observe Christian conversation in the church hallways. They will probably hear something malicious about a minister or a person in the church. Lord help us if they ever get a hold of private text messages or emails sent from Christian to Christian. That will provide more than enough material for the writers of this show.
I guess what I am trying to say is this- Christians, I am upset about this show, but to be honest, we've brought this on ourselves. I think the reason I am most upset is that it isn't a fabrication. They will probably show a very real portrayal. They will show, on national tv, what happens every day in our communities and churches. They will make fun of us using material WE have provided for them. I say we stop providing them with the material and follow Scripture when it comes to our mouths.
Proverbs 10:19- "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."
Ephesians 4:29- "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up, that it may benefit those who listen."
Proverbs 18:2- "Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions."
The list goes on. This TV show has called out the Christian community on one of its biggest areas of disobedience to Scripture. Protest it if you want, but get your own house in order first.
I'm not here to say whether or not it should be aired. My first thought on the subject was, "Why do the writers of this show have this material to work with?" The sin of gossip and slander, unfortunately, is probably the most obvious act of disobedience to Scripture in the church. It is everywhere. Everywhere you look, Christian people, men and women (but women in particular- I'm not being sexist, just observant) slander and gossip and talk maliciously about just about anything you can think of. As a minister, I have been the subject of more malicious talk, gossip, and slander in the church than just about anyone else I know. It flows freely in Christian communities, Christian families, and Christian events.
The thing that hurts even worse is when the unbelieving world sees it and we don't. The writers for this show, unfortunately, aren't going to have to make up ANYTHING. All they have to do is attend church for a few months and they will have all the material they will need. All they have to do is observe Christian conversation in the church hallways. They will probably hear something malicious about a minister or a person in the church. Lord help us if they ever get a hold of private text messages or emails sent from Christian to Christian. That will provide more than enough material for the writers of this show.
I guess what I am trying to say is this- Christians, I am upset about this show, but to be honest, we've brought this on ourselves. I think the reason I am most upset is that it isn't a fabrication. They will probably show a very real portrayal. They will show, on national tv, what happens every day in our communities and churches. They will make fun of us using material WE have provided for them. I say we stop providing them with the material and follow Scripture when it comes to our mouths.
Proverbs 10:19- "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."
Ephesians 4:29- "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up, that it may benefit those who listen."
Proverbs 18:2- "Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions."
The list goes on. This TV show has called out the Christian community on one of its biggest areas of disobedience to Scripture. Protest it if you want, but get your own house in order first.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Deaths in Arizona
Like most of you, I have been shocked and saddened by the reports of the senseless killings in Arizona- a federal judge, a 9 year old girl, and four others, as well as 13 or so wounded. I watched the news and heard all the commentary. I've seen pictures of the guy who did it and of his victims. It's been on my mind all day.
I've been listening to the commentaries from all sides. I've heard the incident described from several different perspectives: MSNBC commentators called the motive a "right-wing ideology." FoxNews was quick to point out that his favorite books were "Mein Kampf" and "The Communist Manifesto," showing he was a left-winger. Gun-control advocates are hollering for more gun-control. Pro-gun people are pointing out that the Arizona Congresswoman was pro Second Amendment. Mental health professionals are talking about his mental illness and how we need more treatment. It's a frenzy of commentary, and it does make you stop and think.
However, the one thing that I have not heard from all the commentators is this: this act was evil. Why does our society have such a problem with calling evil for what it truly is? We jump to the labels of right and left, political agendas about guns or banning guns, evaluating the mind but not the heart. This act, this mass pre-meditated murder of innocent people, was pure evil. In our attempts to be a non-judgmental culture, the word "evil" has gone the way of the dodo bird. To describe something as "evil" is politically incorrect. However, I call it like I see it. This was an evil act perpetuated by a human being with a dead soul, and it's about time someone said it.
I think our reluctance to categorize anything as "evil" also shields us from looking too closely at ourselves. To think that we are incapable of such an act ourselves is to think naively about ourselves. You and I have the same sin nature that this man has. If we leave it unchecked, if we don't allow the love and grace of Jesus Christ to destroy that sin nature and replace it with love, we will be capable of the same act. Will all of us become murderers? No. Or Yes. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus says that whoever harbors hatred in his heart is the same as a murderer. Yes, there is evil in you, and there is evil in me. It's about time we start calling it what it is.
This act in Arizona was evil. It won't be solved by more gun control, blaming right or left, analyzing mental health, etc. The only way things like this will stop is when the heart changes. I guess what is so scary about the murderer in Arizona is that I am so much like him. I have the same nature, the same anger, the same ability to kill, that he does. And so do you. I am in desperate need of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to kill that sin nature within me and replace it with a spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And so are you.
I've been listening to the commentaries from all sides. I've heard the incident described from several different perspectives: MSNBC commentators called the motive a "right-wing ideology." FoxNews was quick to point out that his favorite books were "Mein Kampf" and "The Communist Manifesto," showing he was a left-winger. Gun-control advocates are hollering for more gun-control. Pro-gun people are pointing out that the Arizona Congresswoman was pro Second Amendment. Mental health professionals are talking about his mental illness and how we need more treatment. It's a frenzy of commentary, and it does make you stop and think.
However, the one thing that I have not heard from all the commentators is this: this act was evil. Why does our society have such a problem with calling evil for what it truly is? We jump to the labels of right and left, political agendas about guns or banning guns, evaluating the mind but not the heart. This act, this mass pre-meditated murder of innocent people, was pure evil. In our attempts to be a non-judgmental culture, the word "evil" has gone the way of the dodo bird. To describe something as "evil" is politically incorrect. However, I call it like I see it. This was an evil act perpetuated by a human being with a dead soul, and it's about time someone said it.
I think our reluctance to categorize anything as "evil" also shields us from looking too closely at ourselves. To think that we are incapable of such an act ourselves is to think naively about ourselves. You and I have the same sin nature that this man has. If we leave it unchecked, if we don't allow the love and grace of Jesus Christ to destroy that sin nature and replace it with love, we will be capable of the same act. Will all of us become murderers? No. Or Yes. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus says that whoever harbors hatred in his heart is the same as a murderer. Yes, there is evil in you, and there is evil in me. It's about time we start calling it what it is.
This act in Arizona was evil. It won't be solved by more gun control, blaming right or left, analyzing mental health, etc. The only way things like this will stop is when the heart changes. I guess what is so scary about the murderer in Arizona is that I am so much like him. I have the same nature, the same anger, the same ability to kill, that he does. And so do you. I am in desperate need of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to kill that sin nature within me and replace it with a spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And so are you.
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