Today we mourn with Colorado. With the terrible news about the movie theater shootings, Americans are faced once again with the tremendous questions regarding God, man, and evil. People ask lots of why’s on days like this. In light of such events, Christians instinctively realize they need the church. Pain, wickedness, and suffering give new dimensions to the phrase, “The body of Christ, broken for you.”
Also today we witnessed prominent church leaders respond to the crisis. The consistently progressive United Methodist General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) came out with a statement signed off by General Secretary Jim Winkler and Director of Civil & Human Rights Bill Mefford. As of 2:15, the document read, “The United Methodist Church considers it a priority public health issue to prevent firearm-related death and injury. In its resolution on ‘Gun Violence,’ the denomination calls for social policies and personal lifestyles that bring an end to senseless gun violence, including a ban on all handguns.” It continued, “Equal to our sadness at this tragic loss of life is our disappointment at Congress’ inability to place public safety above the interests of the National Rifle Assn. Our society can no longer afford to allow the power of the gun lobby in its efforts to ensure ownership without responsibility to keep Congress mute on this pressing public-safety issue.”
You know what will make things better? According to this epistle, it would be political mobilization. “We believe these simple policies would help lessen the increasing violence associated with the current absence of effective gun regulations,” GBCS posited, “In the face of mounting gun-related killings, it is imperative for Congress to take action.” Thus, launching a crusade against the NRA is the primary response for the UMC lobbying arm.
Winkler and Mefford weren’t the only clergy speaking to the shooting. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote up an article on his well-read blog. “How could such a thing happen? How could a human being do such a thing?” he asked his readers. Mohler followed with an exploration of human depravity and salvation. He observed, “First, Christians know that the human heart is capable of great evil. Human history includes a catalog of human horrors… The Fall released human moral evil into the cosmos, and every single human being is a sinner, tempted by a full range of sinfulness.” He likewise claimed, “Human beings are capable of unspeakable moral evil. We are shocked by such atrocities, but only because we have some distance from the last one. We cannot afford to be shocked when humans commit grotesque moral evil. It tells us the truth about unbridled human sin.”
Mohler then concluded, “Second, we must be thankful for restraints on moral evil. Christians must not underestimate the potential of any human being — ourselves included — to commit moral horror.” He pointed to the conscience and institutions like government to help curb human wickedness. More importantly, he argued, “Third, we must admit that there will be no fully satisfying answer to these questions in this life. Christians know that God is sovereign, and that nothing is outside of his control. We also know that he allows evil to exist, and human beings to commit moral atrocities.” Turning more to theology proper, he reported, “We cannot deny the sovereignty of God to be denied and evil allowed its independent existence, and yet we cannot deny the reality of evil and the horror of its threat to be lessened. We are reminded that evil can be answered only by a cross.” At the cross, Christ Himself took upon evil and its fruits more than any other human. The Son of God suffered just as us. He even suffered the just wrath of the Father on our behalf.
In parting, Mohler instructed, “We must grieve with those who grieve. We must pray for Gospel churches in the Denver area who will be called upon for urgent ministry. We must pray for our nation and communities. And we must pray that God will guard ourselves from evil — especially our own evil. And we must point to the cross. What other answer can we give?”
Here we can make an interesting observation: in light of the shootings, Winkler and Mefford turn to partisan politics. Mohler turns to the cross. This is a tale of two gospels at work. One is the Social Gospel, enraptured with the cause of social betterment. In this view, God commissions the church to bring in His Kingdom through community organizing and well-crafted legislation. On the other hand is a Salvation Gospel, in which the world—human beings—writhe in sin, being hated and hating one another. God in Christ must come down to save men from their sin. Both call for a different kind of love. I have heard that these two approaches can play well in the sandbox. Nothing dispels that illusion like today’s proceedings.
The cross or congressional advocacy—how do you respond to this situation? For these two groups, the answers differ. Both claim to address the human condition. And people wonder about how the mainline has become increasingly irrelevant.
Comment by Dan Trabue on July 20, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Shame on you for taking a tragic event and using it to demonize your fellow Christians, and this before the dead are even cold.
Gracce, people, embrace it.
Repent.
Comment by John Leek on July 20, 2012 at 5:07 pm
de·mon·ize/ˈdēməˌnīz/
Verb:
Portray as wicked and threatening.
Is that the term you meant to use?
Comment by Dan Trabue on July 20, 2012 at 10:27 pm
Yes. Or, to “Mark out or describe as evil or culpable…”
Specifically, I’m speaking of the act of portraying those you disagree with as holding their positions for evil, wrong, sinister reasons. As the author of the post did (ie, those who agree with the author are following the “right” gospel, and those who disagree with the author are following a false or wrong gospel (ie, “two gospels”), or as others here have done by, instead of dealing with points, who slander and engage in ad hom attacks rather than talking about actual positions.
Comment by Ashamed of UMC on July 26, 2012 at 4:59 pm
The article is a response to Winkler – who sadly chose to respond to a tragedy in the name of the UMC
not with grace,
not with prayer,
not with the hope of life in Christ,
not with an invitation to sufferers for peace and comfort through the Holy Spirit,
but with a pandering political condemnation of Congress, and self-aggrandizing statement regarding the UMC’s “social policies.”
Who cares? This is a classic “told you so” statement when people are reeling. This statement from the UMC is cold, useless, unhelpful and unnecessary in the face of this tragedy. It shows nothing of an open heart, an open door or an open mind. It’s just as useless and dry and withered and fruitless as the UMC.
Comment by eMatters on July 20, 2012 at 3:59 pm
Winkler and Mefford are ghouls, preying on the bodies before they are cold. And they are foolish ones at that. The ridiculous Liberal Logic goes like this:
1. Crazy person kills a bunch of people, even though that is illegal.
2. But if we pass laws against handguns, the crazy person would totally obey those.
Too bad Winkler et al don’t embrace and share the real Gospel, which would transform lives and the culture. They act surprised when their anti-life agenda catches up to them. They are not only pro-legalized abortion but pro-taxpayer funded abortion. These fakes think our society would be better if we only killed a few thousand more unwanted human beings each day — funded by your taxpaying neighbors, of course.
Comment by John Leek on July 20, 2012 at 5:09 pm
My denomination is opposed to gun violence and is right to point out that handguns are often a big part of the problem. Their statement is poorly timed, but consistent with official Methodist belief in this area.
Comment by eMatters on July 20, 2012 at 6:29 pm
Your denomination is also opposed to oxymoronix “same-sex marriage,” so I hope you are on board with that. My former pastor actually believed what the Bible said about homosexual behavior and received such overwhelming opposition and hatred for that that he withdrew his nomination. I am sooooo glad I left the UMC.
Comment by eMatters on July 20, 2012 at 6:57 pm
Forgot to note that he was nominated for Bishop and he withdrew from that. And this was in the Texas Conference, which is one of the few places with Bible-believing Methodists in the country. The denomination is doomed. This is what happens when you appease false teachers.
Comment by John McAdams on July 23, 2012 at 6:45 pm
But that’s the point. “Official Methodist belief” is pretty much just the standard liberal agenda.
Comment by Dan Trabue on July 20, 2012 at 4:05 pm
By your own words, Neil, you point to your own error.
It IS ghoulish to use a tragedy like this to score cheap political points against those you disagree with.
You just error in where you’re pointing your bony fingers.
Embrace the real gospel, indeed. Embrace grace.
Repent.
Comment by eMatters on July 20, 2012 at 4:12 pm
As always, here is my one-time response and prebuttal to false teacher Dan Trabue.
Another thought on the post — remember that Winkler’s “religion” says things like, “Any congregation that doesn’t seek health care for all of the uninsured should be sued for malpractice!” I’d say that any congregation seeking glory for asking the government to take money from one group to “care” for another should be sued for malpractice. And I put care in quotes because Winkler & Co. considers abortion to be health care.
Wolves like Winkler got warm and took off the sheep’s clothing a long time ago. People who follow him and his ilk deserve what they get.
Comment by Marilyn on July 20, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Thanks for the “heads up” on Dan. Yes, I was taken in. Will be more careful in the future.
Comment by truthunites on July 20, 2012 at 4:58 pm
“The cross or congressional advocacy—how do you respond to this situation?”
The Cross.
Abortion and Gay Marriage? Answer: The cross, local work, and congressional advocacy.
Comment by Wesley Putnam on July 20, 2012 at 5:17 pm
If there had been a few Christians in there with handguns, a lot of lives could have been saved. There were two stories this week. In Florida, a man with a handgun shot the armed robbers in the internet cafe and saved lives. In Colorado, no one had a weapon to defend themselves with. I’m carrying my handgun as a United Methodist elder and if my wife, children, grandchildren, etc. were in danger, I would not hesitate to use it. I started packing heat when the church in Colorado Springs was invaded by a nut with intentions to kill as many as he could.
Comment by Dan Trabue on July 20, 2012 at 5:52 pm
re…
As always, here is my one-time response and prebuttal to false teacher
And, as always, I will repeat that I love you as my brother in Christ, Neil, and ask that you please give up this gossip and slander, it is only hurting you, my brother.
re…
Thanks for the “heads up” on Dan
I would ask you to not fall prey to false witness. The Bible is quite clear, those who gossip and slander (and that is what Neil is doing, by definition) are not part of the Kingdom of God. This is a dangerous road for Neil to go down and I’d ask that you take me for my actual words, not false reports about me.
Come brothers and sisters, let’s move past this to more mature discussions.
Finally, sister Marilyn, I’d ask you to consider what has happened here: I’ve been polite, respectful, treated you all as brothers and sisters in Christ. When I’ve disagreed with you, I’ve done so humbly and as clearly offering my own opinion, for what it’s worth. I have not demonized you, nor have I gossiped about you or bore false witness. I am a poor, poor sinner, a fallen human being saved by God’s sweet Grace, but I do strive to be polite and follow in the model of our Savior and believe I have done so here.
On the other hand, Neil is gossiping and posting slander at a site where I can’t even defend my name or counter his false witness.
Given the simple facts of what you’ve seen just today, where is the Christian behavior happening and where is behavior that is NOT of the Kingdom happening?
Consider prayerfully.
In Christ,
Dan
Comment by eMatters on July 20, 2012 at 6:30 pm
“I’m carrying my handgun as a United Methodist elder and if my wife, children, grandchildren, etc. were in danger, I would not hesitate to use it.”
Good for you, Wesley! It is a noble and Christian thing to protect the weak.
Comment by Ric Walters on July 20, 2012 at 8:22 pm
Jim Winkler DOES NOT speak for the UMC. He only speaks for an agency that serves the leftist, liberal, dying part of it. The sooner he and his agency are defunded, the better.
Comment by Ashamed of UMC on July 20, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Another great post Bart! Very astute comparison between a church that operates as if God is dead, and a church that knows that He is alive and active. Thanks for all that you and the other IRD writers do to clear the muddy water.
Comment by 19th Century evangelical on July 20, 2012 at 10:59 pm
Ridiculous commentary – if anyone is making this political, it is IRD and their very few knucklehead followers. Winkler and Mefford are rightly trying to prevent more deaths. The so-called pro-lifers are once again more concerned with far right wing ideology than with stopping more people from getting killed. Shame on you for not being faithful to the gospel you mouth but clearly do not understand
Comment by eMatters on July 21, 2012 at 9:29 am
Oh noes — he said the IRD only has a few followers and they are knuckleheads, so he must be right!
Pro-lifer so do want to stop people from being killed. Over 3,000 were crushed and dismembered in the womb yesterday because they were unwanted. Some were killed solely for the reason that hey were female. Some were killed because they might have some “defect” such as Down Syndrome. These all happened with the blessing of Winkler et al. Their only disappointment is that we don’t have more taxpayer funding of abortions, because they think we’d be better off with more deaths. (BTW, the ratio of abortions in the black community is 3x that of whites and the Hispanic rate is 2x that of white. But I’m guessing that you and Winkler think we’re the racists.)
You say Winkler and Mefford are trying to prevent deaths, but the question is whether they have good ideas. Please note that the theater had a no guns policy but shockingly, the bad guy disobeyed! But he’ll totally obey rules about not owning guns, right?
Comment by eMatters on July 21, 2012 at 2:54 pm
“Shame on you for not being faithful to the gospel you mouth but clearly do not understand”
The Gospel is that Jesus died for our sins and rose again. Which part of that does the author not understand?
Pingback by A Christian Response to the Murders at Aurora on July 21, 2012 at 12:43 pm
[…] many church leaders will offer responses and solutions. Listen carefully to what these leaders say. Bart Gingerich has rightly observed that Christendom is divided in its response between theological liberals who […]
Comment by Betsy and Gerry Kersey on July 23, 2012 at 3:09 pm
A ban on all guns will only arm those who wish to do harm and disarm law abiding citizens who wish to defend life and property. Our Constitution states in the Second Amendment that ..”the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”. It is well known that the way to take control of a country is to disarm its citizens. The writers of the Constitution were determined to establish a country of liberty and freedom for all.
We are disappointed that Jim Winkler and General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church responded to the shooting in Aurora, Colorado by coming out with a statement promoting a ban on all handguns by the US Congress. GBCS is involved in partisan politics – not only in this instance but also in supporting “Obamacare”, abortion, homosexuality, and promiscuous sex as stated on their website.
False teaching – bowing to the culture rather than God’s Word is not what Jesus meant when He said “Follow Me”. GBCS and Jim Winkler have misled the people in the pews by calling “evil good and good evil”.
Comment by Dan Trabue on July 24, 2012 at 9:57 am
Betsy and/or Gerry, may I respectfully ask: Doesn’t “follow me” mean being willing to follow Jesus, even to death, laying down our lives and being prepared to suffer “in Jesus’ steps,” as taught in the Bible? Isn’t picking up arms and fighting deadly violence with deadly violence bowing down to the culture of violence, rather than Jesus’ way of peace?
I’m not sure how the peacemaking position is the one that is bowing down to popular culture, it would seem just the opposite is the case.
Just as a caveat: I’m one peacemaker/pacifist who does not necessarily believe in a gun ban. I think reasonable regulations are an obvious position to hold and one that no one disagrees with in principle (ie, obviously, we don’t want people free to purchase the nuclear weapon, hand grenades, rocket launchers of their choice, regardless of age or mental condition – obviously some rules/regulations are appropriate any time you’re dealing with potentially deadly stuff – cars, alcohol, drugs, weapons…), but I’m not at all convinced that a ban on handguns will end violence, and certainly don’t think that a ban on hunting rifles would result in less violence.
Regulations? Of course. Bans? Not so sure about that.
Comment by maria on July 24, 2012 at 10:52 am
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
If you delete my comment, I will make a nice video to denounce your ministry with all the facts I put here. Repent and walk with the one who comes for you and me 2000 years ago. If you fight against HIM, you will loose all the benedictions He has for you.
Comment by Don Ellenberger on July 24, 2012 at 11:09 am
Winkler makes me ashamed to be a Methodist. More gun law is the last thing we need. I wonder if the theater had signs up denying access to persons with firearms, gauranteeing nobody inside could defend himself.
Comment by Paul Zesewitz on July 24, 2012 at 6:53 pm
I suppose what it all boils down to is this: If Methodists like Rev. Winkler have their way and our guns are confiscated (which President Obama wants to do anyhow), we law-abiding Christians will have to use other means of self-defense. Me, I’d probably go out and find me a machete. Actually I KNOW I’d go find one! Because then, you wouldn’t hear me killing the crazed wacko who was trying to kill me first. I just have this idea in my mind that ‘crazed wackos’ aren’t inclined to listen to the Gospel…..
Comment by Dan Trabue on July 25, 2012 at 7:16 am
? Man, where do you live that you have that much fear that you feel a need to buy a machete? I live in an urban big city, I walk the streets every day (it’s how I get around), I deal with the mentally ill and other “scary” types regularly and, although there are some dangerous moments and some times when I’ve intervened to help someone out, I’ve never once felt like I had to have a weapon, much less a gun or a machete.
Any time the topic of gun bans comes up (I’m opposed to them, generally, by the way) or a report of violence, you always hear some group of Christians saying, “Man, if only I was there, I’d’ve had my gun (machete) and things would have turned out differently, ya bet…” This is not directed towards you personally, Paul, but do you hear how it sounds a bit overly macho?
I mean, why do we so rarely hear, “Man, if only I had been able to be an influence on that misguided person’s life, things would have turned out differently, ya bet…”
For my part, I’d much rather hear about Christians stepping up (and we do, to be sure, but we’re not meeting all the needs) and working in the lives of people with the potential for violence AHEAD of time rather than lamenting that they weren’t there with their big gun/weapon of choice to “take ’em down…”
It just sounds a little cheesy, you know? A little like personal bragging rather than personal action.
Trust in God in all our ways and lean not on our own strength (or weapons)…
Comment by dan on July 25, 2012 at 10:52 am
It is strange that liberals think that marijuana should be legalized because by it being illegal it leads to more crime, while at the same time they believe legalized gun ownership leads to more crime because guns are legal.
Comment by SjD on July 25, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Like everyoe else I am saddened by the the tradgedy of the Colorado shootings. I can assure everyone that God was not walking through the door with that young man, but the evil one was. God does not allow evil he allows free will. Put the blame where it belongs, a ma with out God.
I have had an experience with “pay for guns” programs in ew Orleans. All the guns that were turned in were broken and useable. I learned from the police officer that was working with us that if a gun were turned in had been used in a crime it could not be used as evidence.
Another item to realize is that if someone has in mind to committ a crime that person or persons will be able to obtain a weapon.or weapons. How? Stealing, black market, gun dealers ad the internet, just to name a few. Also, remember it does not have to be a gun, the internet has lots of iformation o how to cause mass destruction and oh, the there are groups and organizations that use the internet to buy, sell, instruct ad connect evil people to other evil people. How are you goig to control that?
Crimes are committed by people without a moral code. We have replaced our Godly compass with other idealologies.We keep recreating new religions or groups to fit our political or social views. . If one believes that if there were not guns there would be no murder or violence, they are very naive. There is a criminal element and mentality that defies the comprehension of many Christians and idealists. What is right in your mind is not necessarily true.
Remember guns aren’t the worst weapon, and murder is only one of the most evil crimes, there other horrors. God is needed in this Country more than ever. Please Pray.
God bless all the victims of all crimes and their families. Pray for all people everywhere that no one will experience any act of violence.
Comment by Paul Zesewitz on July 25, 2012 at 10:08 pm
“Crimes are committed by people without a moral code. We have replaced our Godly compass with other ideologies.We keep recreating new religions or groups to fit our political or social views. . If one believes that if there were not guns there would be no murder or violence, they are very naive. There is a criminal element and mentality that defies the comprehension of many Christians and idealists. What is right in your mind is not necessarily true.”–SJD
I could not agree more! Without guns (and some form of self-defense), there would be more violence, not less. There’d be looters in the streets, bank robbers would be even more bold, burglaries would happen much more often. In a nutshell, the crime rate would go through the roof. And did I mention terrorism? How much of a victory would it be for known terrorists if innocent people had no means of self defense?
As far as Dan’s reply to my previous message goes, I can only respond by saying we live in a sick world full of sick people. It doesn’t matter if your town has 100 or 1,000,000 people living in it. There’s a bad apple in every crop!
Yes, I trust God. And I pray that God continues to have patience with this sick, demented world we live in, as He has for the past 2012 years, because the only alternate as far as God sees things, would be Judgment Day. And I certainly do not mean to sound harsh, but theologically liberal ministers like Rev’s Winkler and Mefford had better start giving the teachings of the Word of God more authority on topics like Judgment Day and the Atonement rather than constantly forcing down our throats the politically and sociallly correct humanist nonsense they learned in seminary!!!!
Comment by Dan Trabue on July 26, 2012 at 1:17 am
I can only respond by saying we live in a sick world full of sick people.
I know, I know many of them personally. Are you that afraid of them that you fear going out unless you’re armed? Maybe if you got to know them, you’d be less afraid? Just a thought.
Yes, there are sick people in the world. And your response is, you want more people armed? But won’t that also be arming the sick people?
re…
Rev’s Winkler and Mefford had better start giving the teachings of the Word of God more authority on topics like Judgment Day and the Atonement rather than constantly forcing down our throats the politically and sociallly correct humanist nonsense they learned in seminary!!!!
I don’t know Winkler or Mefford, but speaking only for myself, I learned what you are deeming “politically and socially correct humanist nonsense,” not from any seminary (didn’t go to one) but from the Bible, God’s Holy Word. Call it nonsense, if you must, I’d suggest more trust in God, more grace for your poor sinful family in Christ and less shouting. (or, if you prefer, less shouting!!!!)
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God… for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Peace.
Comment by AminKor on July 25, 2012 at 11:41 pm
Interesting. Of the 11 comments (at this time) on the GBCS site upon which the letter was published, only one comment supports it while the others point out the glaring exploitation of the tragedy to push a political agenda as well as the noticeable absence of any mention of the gospel or Jesus Christ. It seems after reading both sides that Al Mohler’s piece is clearly identifiable as tied to the Gospel of the Bible, while the GBCS barely identifies itself as “Christian” and asks briefly for “prayer” (which, by the way, is a term used broadly that does not in anyway denote a tie to Christianity — e.g. Muslims pray extensively). In other words, based upon what I’ve seen, I’m wondering whether the term “fellow Christians” is an accurate one here. I understand the call to love, and this I can truly do. But I find it more valuable in times like these (i.e. “all times”) to contend for the faith and make it clear that passing stricter gun laws or any other political position will not get you any closer to heaven than giving millions to charity or helping little old ladies cross the street. Start first with the gospel — believe in Jesus Christ as savior and live as his follower (remembering that Jesus himself said that following him includes obeying his commands) — and then we should see the results that follow. Solve the problem of the human heart — as Christianity does by leading its followers to a true understanding of their sin, Christ’s sacrifice, and the repentant heart that ties the two — and the problems of murder, gun control, abortion, adultery, theft, etc. will fall away without any congressional action at all. Continuing to ignore the heart of the matter while pressing for human legislation as the solution only leads you further from the truth of the gospel.