Greg Boyd has another excellent post: Was the Christian Security Guard A Hero? It's in reference to the shooting that took place at New Life Church in Colorado Springs on Dec. 9. One of the church's security guards shot (but didn't kill) the gunman (who ended up killing himself). The pastor of the church called the security guard a hero for shooting the gunman.I have to admit, I wrestle with the subject much like Greg. I can understand the just-war theory, and police protection, and whatnot.... but I just cannot reconcile it with the Bible. I know to many people it sounds like a copout, but... well, Greg does a good job of laying out the Scripture references in his post. I recommend you read it before jumping to any conclusions. This is kinda what he determines in a nutshell:
Every person who has pledged to live in the way of Jesus, rather than the way of the world, but who nevertheless carries (and is willing to use) a gun, for any reason, has to wrestle with this New Testament teaching. For my two cents, I confess I cannot see how the two are compatible. The use of lethal force may at times be justified and heroic by ordinary kingdom of the world standards. But I cannot see how it's compatible with being a citizen of the Kingdom of God.Definitely food for thought. May you have a peaceful day.
5 comments:
I concur with Greg.
I've been in a situation where I had the choice of shooting someone or letting the chips fall where they may. I chose the latter and fortunately it worked out. Not sure how I would have felt had my wife or baby been killed though, and I was left alive. Those are not easy situations to process.
Though I like Greg's argument he still doesn't settle the issue of an official government employee for me. Greg is saying that a Christian should not work for a government if his job might require him to kill someone. The interesting thing about the Romans 13 passage (especially verse 4) is that the term "minister of God" is used to describe this person who exacts God's revenge or punishment. That's the same word I use to describe what I do. To think that God only uses non-believers as His ministers is difficult. It's a tough question , and while Greg's article helps, it doesn't answer it completely for me.
Although, I agree with Tom that he still doesn't answer the question, I found this to be very helpful in my thought process. Still no opinion either way...well, i know how i feel but I'm not sure how it works. Yeah. anyway. see you soon.
I kind of liked the quote you put up earlier this month about the difference between compassion and justice. That we need the people who would pull the drowning ones out of the river, but we also need the one who goes up the river to stop them from falling in (I think the security guard in this case).
I remember interviewing the Texas Instruments when I graduated with an engineering degree from college. One of the first questions was "Do you have any problem working for a defense company that makes weapons?" I looked up at the interviewer. He worked for the company himself.
"Yes," I answered sincerely, "I do."
He went on to explain, sincerely, why it was important that they do their part to defend the country. I understood and appreciated what he did. But it wasn't for me. I knew that too.
I am grateful the lady shot the man. She didn't kill him. He killed himself. But she saved many lives.
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