Why Do People Kill?

An appropriately passionate response!

I'll paraphrase a straight-forward message from the sermon I heard in church last Sunday:

Remember when the group came to arrest Jesus in the garden armed with clubs and swords? And how one of Jesus group (John's gospel says it was Simon Peter) drew his sword and cut off the ear of a man (John identifies as Malchus) in the arresting group - asking Jesus if it was time to meet force with force, weapon with weapon?

Jesus immediately put a stop to any more violence - telling Peter to put away his weapon and even healed the wounded man.Jesus's opposition to violence and His abhorrence to the use of weapons was clear. Therefore, it is impossible to square our use of weapons today, with Jesus's command to put them away. Rather we should ask Jesus for His divine healing. 

Jesus was continuing  God's original design for creation.  A design where everything was "good!"  Non-violence was not a new concept that arrived with Jesus.  Listen to the words of Isaiah again:

4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

 Doesn't it make you wonder where the idea of using force, how ever it is done, originated?

In Isaiah's day I don't think the gun had been invented.   They used knives, swords, spear and maybe even arrows.  Tools that were originally meant for hunting for food to survive. Something meant for good!  Had, though history, turn to tools of human anger and rage.  Used now for evil!

A way to what?  
          Gain power? 
                Show strength ?  
                      Have it your way?
                                                    What?  

Killing for food became killing for What?

It is a senseless form of non-love!  So against all that God designed life to be.  

How in the world did something created so very good.  Become what we have today?  Not just the gun issue,  but the political arena as well.  In my silly imagination, it all truly began on the school ground centuries ago, when someone didn't get their way!  Right?

The use of force is ingrained into the very cerebral fabric of human nature!  People actually think it is smart and realistic to arm themselves with something that will harm anyone who disagrees with them.

Think about what you see in Russia and korea.  Their strength is displayed on world news, showing their major strength; by marching their human forces. guns rested on their shoulders, in front of the world.  See,  we can fight!  We Can Win!  We are tougher than you are!

One has to ask -- at least this one -- where did that mentality come from?  And Why?

I just remembered something that Pete Pero said in class one morning.  Pete was the  Black History Professor at Seminary.  We were talking about the race riots in the sixties.  Pete said something like, "When we finally decided that we were not afraid to die, we became brave.  They couldn't hurt us with their guns and cross burnings anymore."  Then they were able to live with a certain freedom.  Standing in the face of the bullies unafraid!  

Tools of destruction create fear!  That is why it seems to work for the human mind!

Any other brave person having a thought to share?

2 In days to come the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. 

3 Many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 

4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord! (Isaiah 2)

What Is God's Main Rule for Living?

It is not often that one can pick up the Bible and read a passage; and then be able to understand, without too much study, what is actually being communicated.  Usually we need to take into consideration contexts, language and culture in order to properly interpret biblical writing. 

However I read a passage in Roman 4, yesterday morning. One I have read over and over through the  years.  And yet yesterday morning one line popped off the page, right into the twenty-first century, ready to be used as is.  

…but where there is no law, neither is there violation. 16 For this reason it depends on faith,…..

Just think about that!   …where there is no law, neither is there violation.

If there were no laws, like in Abraham’s day, our only claim to proper, right, good, correct, acceptable etc would come from the faith we have in God; and how He asks us to live. Period!  

And, if we followed God’s request alone, we would be considered one of God’s children. 

No other expectations would govern our being.  

Just faith!  

WOW!

What do you suppose that would do to all the rules keepers and within-the-lines-colorers?  What would that do to the proper etiquette expectations for polite behavior?  Or the dress codes for acceptable standing in society?  

Or the Big-Two sins for today, “abortion” and “Gender choice?”

How would all the sin-namers do with the thought that it is faith alone that keeps us right with God?

Clarification!  That does not mean that we can just go wild and live as one who has no conscience, no concept of compassion and empathy?  Remember, the core value for faith in God is the truth that we are all made in God’s image.  We are all made to care for the creatures and creation that God has given us.  That is basically the only “law” God gave in the beginning. To take care of all that he has made!(Gen.1:29-31)

To take care of, is not to harm in anyway. 

If all those who have faith in God lived with just that one key request of faith; we wouldn’t need all the laws and rules.

Just a simple thought for a Monday morning!

13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. 16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations")—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become "the father of many nations," according to what was said, "So numerous shall your descendants be." 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 Therefore his faith "was reckoned to him as righteousness." 23 Now the words, "it was reckoned to him," were written not for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.(Rom. 4:13-25)

Guns And The Gospel!

I am thinking this morning about an interesting conversation I had  with a colleague the other day.  A person who is a much clearer thinker than myself.  I was telling him about my book, that was recently publish, concerning the way people try to limit God. 

The subject of liberal and conservative theological thinker came up. He said something like: “It is not about conservative or liberal.  It is just about what Jesus taught.”  

That caught me off guard a bit.   So I just listened!

I didn’t get his point at first; because he was being a little vague. Going in a direction away from what he was thinking.  Which was gun control. And instead, actually talking about Sunday’s Gospel!

And so I asked, what does that have to do with the issue of conservative and liberal thinking?  

He looked at me, with a huge question mark on his face, and said: “Clearly, it is against everything Jesus represents!”

He was talking about the recent school shooting in Florida.  And the government's, seeming, lack of interest in gun control. In his mind it was clear cut!  And since he knew what the connection was; because his mind had been on the sermon before I came in. He verbalized his sermon prep.  

I smiled, and thought to myself, I do that all the time!  And people often say to me: ‘What are you talking about!”

Anyway, with the topic cleared up, my mind began to engage in his thinking process.  The conversation went on for sometime.  I listened mostly!  Agreeing with all of what he was saying.  

Today my mind is truly engaged in the issue of gun control and the Gospel.  And I am astounded at my lack of Gospel passion on the subject. My first thought this morning was:  I abhor guns, what they represent, and the irreversible damage they can do. However, I haven’t spent a great deal of time truly processing all of that.  At least in a theological way!

Now to be fair, to my simple mind, Jesus never spoke of guns.  That could be the reason I never broached the subject.  

And yet, at the some time, I have been very aware of the theological dichotomy in how some people deal with the abortion issue in our culture today.  Where the theme is “thou shall not murder!”  And then they use guns to kill those who preform abortions.  Right?  I have written about such dichotomies from time to time.

My mental juices are flowing full force now.  

All these years that I ha have preached about Jesus’ radical reversal of the innate human need to destroy life.  And yet, guns have never been the topic of my sermons or writings.  I have always been against guns.  Since I was a little girl they were “wrong.”  But I never connected guns with the Gospel.  

Interesting!

Then, last night when, I watch the nightly new; and I watched those teen-agers, stand strong in their convictions.  Challenging the establishment’s stand on gun control.  So informed!  Very articulate!  Not intimated! I was so extremely proud of them.  

And a lot ashamed of myself!

Jesus’ call to love has no place for the destructive mentality of our present leadership.  Actually the mentality of many people in our world today.  

4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.(Is. 2:4)

How did I ever not connect that with the Gospel????? 

What Are We Missing?

I am going to continue with this universal theme the human mind carries close! Show me proof!  Help me to believe the unbelievable! 

36 But the witness that really confirms me far exceeds John's witness. It's the work the Father gave me to complete. These very tasks, as I go about completing them, confirm that the Father, in fact, sent me. 37 The Father who sent me, confirmed me. And you missed it. You never heard his voice, you never saw his appearance. 38 There is nothing left in your memory of his Message because you do not take his Messenger seriously. 39 "You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you'll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! 40 And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren't willing to receive from me the life you say you want. (John 5:36-40 The Message)

As I read that passage this morning I couldn’t help be think:  Man, I wish people today had their heads in their Bibles constantly trying to find anything!  Not to mention eternal life!  

Usually when the majority of people go to their Bibles today it is to find something that will cement their point in an argument.  I think what most of them don’t realize is that the Bible can most always find support for either side.  Eugene Peterson calls this kind of searching, using the Bible as a “toolbox”. 

I digress!   

What we read in this passage is a frustrated Jesus.  He -- God -- has come to earth to teach people eye to eye, voice to voice.   And they are still looking for him on the pages of The Book. 

....here I am, standing right before you, and you aren't willing to receive from me the life you say you want.

I am not sure, but it seems to me that our sophisticated  human minds just can’t seem to let this faith thing be simple.  We are always finding ways to complicate Jesus’ offer of life -- the abundant life -- that God is so willing to provide. 

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10).  

Jesus isn’t talking about the abundance of  possessions or money or friends.  He is talking about a life that brings joy to the heart, and purpose to living.

The Father who sent me, confirmed me. And you missed it. You never heard his voice,....   

Don’t you wonder what it is we’ve missed?  

Or better yet, how we have missed it?

Try On Humility!

"What must we do to perform the works of God?"

Lets think about what it would be like to model Jesus’ example in today’s world. 

I’ll suggest that the word to keep in mind is humility.

At this particular point, in John’s Gospel (see below), Jesus has not only shown them who he is; but given them all kinds of clues and hints.  Actually, he has out-and-out explained to them who he is; and what he is all about.   

Think about it! 

They have just witnessed him feeding five thousand hungry people.  

He has walked on the stormy waters of the sea of Galilee; without sinking.  

And now, they still want more clues.  “More “signs!”  More proof!

Surely we humans are a vacillating crew!  We hesitate to believe!  We are constantly in a state of deciding.  Then changing our minds!

And still, after all these centuries, we have the need to have more information about Jesus’ offer of life -- true and abundant life

What is it, do you suppose, that keeps us from taking a hold of Jesus’ hand and just believing in him?  Just taking the first step in the journey to follow him?  

What is it that is so difficult?  

What is it that causes us to refuse such a perfect model for living?  Really truly living?  

Could it be that the idea of being like Jesus creates, in us, some kind of rebellion, some kind of disgust maybe? 

I mean think about it!  To be as Jesus modeled -- his voice, words, facial expressions, his movements and over all attitude -- does mean the life and work of a humble servant. He even tells them that, more than once!  

It does mean forgiving and loving, and offering peace instead of conflict.   To wave the need to always be right and number one?  

Do we really want to throw our lot in with the one that God has sent?  

Think about it!  It would mean being different!   Very different! 

It means being kinder and less bold!  More forgiving and respectful!   It would mean allowing others to be who they are; and accepting them just that way.  

Truly!  Wouldn't it be nice living around people like that!!!!    

But to actually be like that????   

Well, that is another thing!

27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal." 28 Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." 30 So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing?(John 6:27-30)

What About Those Who Live Between the Wheat and Weeds?

“Let them grow together until the harvest”

Turns out, the farmers hopes for the perfect crop are less then ideal. Both for the farmer and the people who observe his field.  The farmer’s field is the whole world.   And the world we live in is clearly less than ideal  It is simply, just life as we know it! 

What is somehow left out of this analogy is those other plants.  The ones that are not weeds or wheat. Those, less defined plants, that live between the wheat and weeds.  The ones who still have questions and doubts.  The ones who have either not been raised within the Christian community; or those who have been turned off or confused by how God's word has been taught, preached or lived out in the field. There are a whole lot of plants, that are not wheats or weed, still wondering in the middle of the farmers well groomed soil.

What do they see as they live within the wheat and weeds.  What is it that they observe about how the good plants live and communicate God's will and purpose to the evil plants? 

Don't you wonder what happens to those other plants? 

One of Jesus points, in this parable, is that God takes the entire crop, the good, bad and those in-between, and hold it all within his hands; within his divine plan for the whole of life.  

The suggestion is, that If the servants where to pull out all of the weeds, or anything but the wheat,  some of the good plants might be damaged.  Ruined for good!  So, farmer allows them all to live together until the time comes to harvest the field.  Then, any needed, separation will occur. 

The request is: don't limit the possibilities of God!  

We may not understand all of this!  We may not understand why "evil" needs to remain actively growing within a world that God has created; and is continuing to create as “good”.   

Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!

All we are asked to grasp, to believe, is that God is an active God within this messy mixed-up world. 

That God is indeed handling any and all situations! 

 At the same time, we are asked to actively live in the world and all it offers; until the time comes for us to leave the world.  

During this in-between time we are invited to have faith!  Faith that God knows what he is doing and how to do it.  We are to have faith that God is -- and always has been -- in charge of it all. (see John 1:1-5) 

God knows our thoughts and frustration.  

God is so much wiser then we will ever be!

Our job is to live along side the weeds, wheat, and all the other plants.  While being attentive to our own growing.   It is up to us to keep listening to God’s way.  And, just maybe some of the weeds will begin to pay attention too. 

But here is the complication!  The but!!!

Does God really wants us not to confront the evil we observe lurking about?

Are we just to ignore the evil living around us?  

Are we to turn our backs on wrong?  Pretend it is not growing in the field?  

Don't we not have some responsibility to counter-act evil?  To say a resounding no!   

Any comments or suggestions?

...Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.” 37 Jesus replied, I The Son of Man am the farmer who plants the good seed. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. 39 The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels. 40 “Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. 41 I, Son of Man, will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!  (Matt. 13:36-43 NLT)

Do We Live As Dry Bones?

Yesterday I suggested John’s Gospel, in reference to the Spirit’s presence within ourselves.  This morning what came to my mind was John 15.  I remember reading this chapter, sometime during my seminary years; after being trained to read scripture with a exegetical mind.  The epiphany, I connected with that day, has constantly given me the confidence to live my call through thick and thin.

“God’s Spirit actually lives in me!”

Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.(vs. 4)

It was one of those light-bulb-moments!  It made such sense to me!  The vine moves life and fruit and possibility into the branch.  Into you and me!

What just popped into my head is the story of the Valley of Dry Bones.  Where the Prophet Ezekiel was put right in the middle of a bunch of dead bones to prophesy to such death. 

….and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.

Read more of the story below!

The analogy of dry dead bones is what God must have been observing about the Hebrew people.  A people with no hope, no joy — no living Spirit.  A people whose fruit had gone bad!

When we are connected to the life giving vine, God’s Spirit, we don’t live dead.  That is, we don’t simply exist as we move through our days.  

As Lutherans we believe that at our Baptism God breaths His Spirit into us.  That is the gift of Baptism.  And as we grow and learn about Jesus/God, that Spirit is our instructor/advocate in the growth of our faith. It moves in and out of our thoughts, and doubts, and wonders, about this marvelous story called the Bible.  The Spirit — the Vine — keeps us connected to our source of life.  True and abundant life! 

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.(John 10:10)

4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord." 7 So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." 10 I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude. 11 Then he said to me, "Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, "Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.(Ezekiel 37)

Is God Really Three?

In the beginning there were three! The wind, the One who spoke, and the Word spoken!  

1 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. 6 And God said, "Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." 7 So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. 8 God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.(Gen. 1)

But the Creator God was the only one people knew of.  The only one they heard from was the God who created.  A God above in wind, clouds, thunder, fire and smoke. That God spoke through prophets.

When God came to earth in Jesus’ skin there were two active God’s that move about with the people.  The Word now spoke in person, and supposedly, God was in heaven.  But there were still three; because the wind still blew in and through  them.

We call this the Trinity of God.  The three parts of God — Creator, Spoken Word, Wind/breath!  God three in one!

True story!  

An especially precocious little six year old had apparently given the Trinity a lot— a lot — of thought. 

It was just before the Monday night worship service, when she and her mother approached me.  Her mom said: “Josie has a question for you.”  The look on her mom’s face was one of please help.  I sat down and Josie stood straight in front of me. Then with a soft shy voice, and a very serious expression, she said: “In know about God! But I don’t understand the three God’s.”

I smiled at her and said something about that being a very good thing to wonder about.  Then I use my two example for such questions, the apple and the egg.  Both have three parts but are still considered one unit.  I asked her if she could tell me the three parts of the egg and apple.  She did a fine job! Then I explained, God is the Creator, Jesus is God’s word in the flesh, and then there is the Holy Spirit The explanation seemed to satisfy her.  Her mother just had a huge smile on her face.  

Children are so willing to believe in God.  It is so simple to them somehow.  Just clear cut in their curious minds. 

However something happens to the innocence of a child’s mind.  And as we grow into adults that precious quality changes.  And we doubt!  And try logic and reason. And thats okay!  

Doubt can lead to the strongest faith!

This Holy Spirit we hear and read about is most troubling to some.  It is somehow just too unlikely.  Too unrealistic!  Too illusive with no matter, no substance!

Have you ever had questions about the Holy Spirit? 

Or maybe I should ask, do you have questions about the  Holy Spirit?  I would like to know your thoughts before I enter into some discussion about it.