God’s Response To Violence
BY Herschel Smith
9 years, 6 months ago
Many pastors argue that arming congregants goes against religious teachings of non-violence and that guns have no place in a place of worship. Many states, including South Carolina, specifically prohibit guns in church. “The presence of a cross in our sanctuary reminds us that God’s response to violence is never greater violence,” Pastor Baron Mullis of Atlanta’s Morningside Presbyterian Church told WGCL-TV. “This is a place of peace. … This is not a place for guns.”
Ridiculous. God demands violence as a response to threats on our person because of the fact that man is created in God’s image and life is to be preserved. It is our solemn duty. Mullis only says those things because he thinks of Jesus as a Bohemian hippie flower child rather than the creator and master of all things.
So although I tire of the constant duty of having to remind everyone of the error, to use Professor John Frame’s analysis, Pastor Mullis makes the error of assigning a single attribute to God’s character. He uses an “exclusive reduction” to describe God rather than using His attributes as an “emphasizing reduction” (in this case it’s peace).
“God is love” is a truism, but that isn’t the only thing God is. He is also justice, wrath, anger, righteousness, and so on. Pastor Mullis is advised to re-study his systematic theology. This time he should use a meaningful and worthwhile textbook rather than the crap he apparently used in seminary.
On June 21, 2015 at 10:45 pm, Sando182 said:
Additionally, the media is full of stories of forgiveness by the families of those killed. I dislike forgiveness without repentance on the part of the perpetrator, especially when it’s immediate and unconditional. I believe that is a mistake.
On June 22, 2015 at 7:00 am, Bobbye said:
Forgiveness is for the benefit of the offended, not the benefit of the offender. It puts one in the place where your Heavenly Father can deal completely with the offender, instead of you dealing, and also puts one in the place where The Father can forgive you in like manner. The only forgiveness that will benefit the offender is God’s forgiveness through the blood of Jesus.
On June 22, 2015 at 9:35 am, Sando182 said:
Since the offended is now dead, what role does my forgiveness play? It’s awfully God-like of me to say, “I forgive you for killing that other guy.”
The Charleston killer is glad he did it, not sorry, and would do it again if given the chance. I want him punished to the full extent possible, here and now. His eternal punishment is out of my hands.
On June 21, 2015 at 11:35 pm, George Tatro said:
Read your commentary and concluded that your intellectual gun is unloaded. Straw man attack, like the one you gave the Rev. Dr. Mullis. Apparently you have something against education, systematic theology, seminary, and Jesus, but I don’t have time to sort it out. Needless to say forgiveness and reconciliation are where the power lie. Some put their trust in Sigs, others in Glocks, but I trust in the Lord my God.
On June 22, 2015 at 7:04 am, Bobbye said:
I am sure that like many, if not most, Church members that you trust in the Lord but rely on the police.
On June 22, 2015 at 10:12 am, Herschel Smith said:
I’m glad to hear that you trust in the Lord. On a related subject, I was wondering – do you have a wife and children, and do you lock your door at night?
On June 22, 2015 at 10:40 am, Blake said:
George,
You’re words don’t carry much weight because you toss off baseless accusations and then run away.
If you had any sort of real counter argument, you should have been able to type it in the same amount of time it took you to write your non-argument.
If you are seminary trained, then I would say Herschel has every right to be skeptical of your religious education.
I know I’m skeptical.
On June 24, 2015 at 1:51 am, rumcrookâ„¢ said:
God also helps those who help themselves. And told his disciples to sell thier cloaks and purchase swords. So like Jean asam who stopped a mass murder in a church here in colorado, I go to church with a firearm and trust in God that should need arise I will have a sure eye a steady hand and I will stop the threat to my family and fellow parishioners. You however are free to look surprised and helpless when evil comes a callin. And ignore gods teachings to his disciples.
On June 24, 2015 at 2:02 am, rumcrookâ„¢ said:
Here’s a joke for you. There’s a great storm and much flooding in a particular man’s nieghborhood, his neighbor comes and tells him word has gone out that the river will overflow the banks and flood the neighborhood. He tells the nieghbor he trusts in God to protect and provide. And won’t leave. Next the home is flooded and he ends up on the roof, and a boat comes along and tells him to get in. He responds by saying no, god will protect him and keep him safe. The waters are now ready to overwhelm the roof when a helicopter Flys low and drops a rescuer on a rope. He refuses to climb on. It leaves. Then he is swept away to his doom.
On entering heaven he asks god why he didn’t protect and save him, God responds by telling him he sent a neighbor to warn him, and a boat and a helicopter! And he ignored them all.
I think I see a little of you in this guy on the roof.
On June 28, 2015 at 4:35 pm, Ned Weatherby said:
“The presence of a cross in our sanctuary reminds us that God’s response
to violence is never greater violence,” Pastor Baron Mullis of Atlanta’s
Morningside Presbyterian Church told WGCL-TV. “This is a place of peace. … This is not a place for guns.”
Right. Except when God destroys whole cities because one righteous man cannot be found. As for the church being “a place of peace” – right – it is until it isn’t. Didn’t the good Reverend get the memo about people getting murdered in a church? Oh right – it happens often in some middle eastern countries as well.
Interesting that you took the time to make a comment, charge Herschel with making straw man arguments, alleging that Herschel “must have something against education, systematic theology, seminary, and Jesus, but (you) don’t have time to sort it out. How convenient.
As for putting trust in the Lord, there’s a parable about the man sitting on top of his flooded house, and the water keeps rising. I suppose you’re going to be the one that complains to God after drowning, even after he sent a boat, a helicopter, and finally, a log. God also provided men with free will and the power to reason. So, jot a paragraph down explaining the charges against Herschel. Otherwise, I wish you the best.
BTW – even our church has locks on the doors and fire extinguishers. Sometimes, bad things happen to good people – even if they trust the Lord to solve every problem.