The Dec. 21 Brainerd Dispatch published a guest opinion titled, “Why Was God AWOL at Newtown?” written by political columnist Robert Ringer. His title indicates that the Newtown gun massacre is an occasion for asserting that if God exists he was not on the job expected of a God. Ringer’s first observation is that most other observers make what is basically simple too complicated. Thus his opening premise: “Bad things happen. It’s an inescapable reality of life.”
Next Ringer turns to exploring the “age old spiritual and philosophical question of, ‘Why does God allow evil and injustice to exist in the first place?’” He has no difficulty accepting that evil and injustice were manifest in Newtown. Even secular philosophers would likely agree Newtown represents moral evil rather than a natural evil because it was a human act, not an earthquake or an accident.
But there is something about Newtown that makes many more people think about God than seems usual. Most of Ringer’s thoughts are a series of “If this... then...” propositions occasioned by some assertions of an atheist, A Jewish theologian, Time Magazine, and a Christian theologian. Ringer seems stimulated to search for answers. After citing prominent theologian Reinhold Niebuhr’s Serenity Prayer, Ringer concludes that the “The challenge is to understand which things are within our control and which things are not.” He offers no concrete suggestions.
Given the theological questions raised about God and evil, there is a curious gap in Ringer’s analysis. Ringer never refers to the Bible, even though the word God is found in the Bible over 4,500 times and the word evil over 600 times. Why does Ringer ignore it? Could it be that the Bible presents major difficulties for using it to formulate an ethic for gun promotion? Since Ringer cited Niebuhr, some exploration of what he wrote regarding God and evil offers some clues.
In one of his major works, “The Nature and Destiny of Man,” Niebuhr states that evil existed before man, but it was locked out of creation such that God initially called creation “good.” Humans were created finite beings biologically bound to nature. But humans differ from animals in that they have a unique freedom to at least partially perceive the moral infinite (God). This is coupled with a “free will” to love, or a will toward actualizing self-centered power. If the latter temptation leads to a decision to overreach the Creator’s limits, it releases evil into creation. It still does.
According to Niebuhr, a major element that tempts human beings to commit evil acts is anxiety. A major cause of anxiety is fear of violence. This anxiety in turn may predispose to more acts of violence, which creates more anxiety, and a vicious cycle may start. A means of trying to suppress this anxiety and the sense of insecurity is to increase personal power by whatever means possible.
In 1994, a respected theologian, Marjorie Suchocki published a book titled, “The Fall to Violence.” Building on the above Niehbuhr formulation, one of Suchocki’s main points is that a significant dimension of the “Fall” found in Genesis 3 is an act of violence against any part of creation. In the story the first object was a forbidden tree (“of the knowledge of good and evil”). Already In Genesis 4, “Cain rose up against his brother and killed him.” The means of personal power available for many is a gun. After citing a gun tragedy involving children, in her book, Suchocki writes: “Someone made the guns available to the children…Corporate greed for ever greater profits from gun sales results in an incredible proliferation of guns throughout American culture, all under the reasoning that if everyone has guns, everyone can protect the self from everyone else. All the persons in the chain share in the (moral) guilt of the death... The American obsession with guns and violence is our attempt to delude ourselves into believing that we can control the firing of our weapons, that we can confine our violence through channeling it into an arena or ring, and that we can turn the power of our televisions off, and so control the violence that we safely allow into our lives. But anxiety mocks our control. Violence, not death, is at the root of our anxieties, and our attempts to channel violence simply increases its ceaseless flow.”
Looking back 18 years, Suchocki was prophetic. The problem is worse. In her view, not only the people pulling the triggers, but also all others materially and culturally involved replicate the “Original Sin.” God never promised that he would interrupt free will to turn back a monster free will chose not to limit. The question is now is, “Where will we be in another 18 years?
Today there are an estimated 300 million private guns in the U.S. Half of the guns in the world are in our 5 percent of the world’s population. In some eyes, we look like a nation with an epidemic of anxiety about our own potential violence against one another. The size of monster we created will be difficult to quickly reduce.
Jesus admonished: “Do not be anxious...” (Matt. 6:25).He told us to pray, “Thy will be done, on earth as in heaven...deliver us from evil.” Heaven is where there is no anxiety. The Bible claims Jesus was uniquely compassionate, righteous, and innocent of the charges for which he was crucified on orders of a representative of the most powerful government of his time. Paradoxically, this historical injustice became transformed into a source of hope and comfort for millions, including many of those pondering the Newtown massacre. In a mysterious way, Newtown could occasion positive changes to change the course of violence.
Many people are skeptical about the biblical message and how it addresses our engagement with good and evil. But the Bible deserves a place at the table when interested persons ponder events like Newtown.
DICK PETERSON is a resident of Nisswa, a retired physician and a member of the Brainerd Dispatch Editorial Board.
Comments (44)
Add commentno God needed
'He offers no concrete suggestions."
Is he also a Democrat Senator? "But the Bible deserves a place at the table when interested persons ponder events like Newtown."
Hold on here, Dick. The libs have spend years and millions of our taxpayer dollars getting God out of the public arena. Don't come around trying to sneak Him back in. Looking at these and other tragedies,I see and Hear "single mom" over and over. What if we tried to put our families back together and stopped rewarding unwed moms for having kids.
No need for God or morality these days.
We've got psychologists for our 'spiritual' needs and other science for everything else. Political scientists and sociologists will make sure everything is in proper order. Morals are relative so we can figure those out as we go along. Modernity is passe', post-modernism rules.
Sure, these kinds of shootings are occasional blips on the screen but soon we'll pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps. A few children are a small price to pay on the road to a progressive utopia. Millions of potential human beings don't even figure in to the equation.
Nope, we're doing just fine.
Move along
You are right. It is the "new normal". So folks, especially
the ones who voted in the current administration, get used to it.
A thoughtful essay on a
A thoughtful essay on a complex issue, Dick. Whether one is a Christian or not, one must accept/acknowledge that we as a country are not doing all we can to prevent gun violence. Not enough care and resources are available to people with emotional/psychological issues, not enough oversight is used to regulate sale and distribution of guns, and not enough common sense is apparent when 2nd amendment rights arguments are used to protect the sale and use of assault type weapons with large magazines.
I would be very happy to see the "current administration" take the initiative to address this.
Shadrack,
They are going to address it and Feinstein made the first of many more moves to come to remove all the guns from law abiding citizens. Of course that is the only people that will give up their guns because we all know that the criminals never will. That's ok Shadrack, just keep giving up freedoms because someday they, and I say "they" for the goverment because it's no longer "we", take away a freedom you care about.
Thoughtful, Intelligent Summary
This is a thoughtful and intelligent summary of the practical realism of Reinhold Niebuhr and the relational theology of Marjorie Suchocki. Take the time to read it twice.
Thanks for some good food for thought, Dr. Peterson
I always enjoy your thoughtful contributions to this newspaper! Some other food for thought on one Christian response to a violent "gun culture":
"I am pretty clear from reading the Gospels all my life that Jesus of Nazareth was opposed to violence and killing, even in self-defense. He pushed aside the sword a follower tried to use to defend him at his arrest and scolded the man - he said that living by the sword would mean dying by it. If Jesus were walking the earth today, he would not be carrying a gun, nor approving of his disciples to do so. The church since the 3rd century not been able to completely accept his path of pacifism that was so obvious to Christians of the 1st and 2nd centuries, and has reached some compromises to accommodate our need to wage wars and enforce laws. But if you ask today What Would Jesus Do? the answer is perfectly clear. It was clear to Blessed Jonathan Daniels who stepped in front of a shame-and -rage-filled man with a shotgun to save at the cost of his own life the young black woman Ruby Sales targeted because she had served the civil rights demonstrators in her shop in Hayneville, Alabama in 1965. It was clear to Dr. King facing down angry armed opponents weaponless. It should be clear to us.
A good number of other nations have looked at the equation of guns and lives, and have decided that they are not willing to pay the price for unimpeded gun ownership with their children’s lives. We are unusual in our choice. Some who most want to claim the U.S.A. as a Christian nation are also the first to oppose even modest regulation of the most dangerous automatic weapons. It is simply not part of being a follower of Jesus to shoot someone (including yourself) with a handgun.
Though I feel so sad for the parents of a dead nine year old, for a gravely wounded Congresswoman and her family, and the relatives of others killed, and those injured, in Tuscon, and for a schizophrenic man for whom our society exercised so little care, and for his family, and for a Los Angeles schoolboy toting a loaded handgun in a backpack who shot two classmates when he dropped it on his desk in class while never intending to, I feel more grief for the choices we make together that produce such events - that though shocking - are unremarkable. And I name it as a symptom of spiritual unwellness, that I would call sin, in our society that we lack a majority will to do anything to change our way of life so that more citizens can live to enjoy it. Changing the collective will requires individual commitment. So I do not ask What would Jesus do? I ask What would you do as one marked and sealed as Christ’s own for ever?"
Entire text at: http://www.witnessforpeace.org/article.php?id=1070
Whomever.
We once thought we could regulate the use and distribution of drugs too, but look where that's gotten us. I can get high in ten minutes even here in Brainerd if I want.
Bubba, once again. Your quote moves from shotguns to "the most dangerous automatic weapons" to handguns. Which one is it? Do you want all guns banned or just certain types?
Furthermore, the use of Jesus as a kind of moral authority rings pretty hollow. Sharia law is a kind of morality too but is it superior to the Sermon on the Mount? Shoot first and ask questions later is another. How do YOU decide which one is best?
You criticize conservatives for pushing a certain kind of morality on the country but then turn around and try to foist your own.
BTW, after Jonathan Daniels was killed, the shooter then turned the gun on another man and wounded him as he was running away. He was acquitted of all charges. Though we have gotten better as a country in terms of race relations, we will need an argument far more powerful than "Can't we all just get along?" to rid ourselves of racism.
Bubba, you make me proud
of you. Your courage to take a stand and not defend youself if attacked is awsome. I do expect you to post a picture of the sign in front of your house proving the truth of that statement.
You know, the one that says "We are unarmed and won't fight back, no matter what you steal or do to our entire family"
Then I'll start to believe you.
Speaking of racism, why is it
Speaking of racism, why is it that some people don't seem to care about all the murders in Chicago? I would include their mayor Rahm Emmanuel and President Obama in that.
How do the gangs get their guns? They shave off the seriel
numbers. Here is a sick one - a gun was put in with a teddy
bear in a package that was donated for Christmas gifts to
foster children. A girl opened her gift and got a teddy bear and a real gun. In Chicago. Sick. Who cares?
http://www.dailymotion.com/vi
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xw5ohg_gun-inconsistencies-in-sandy-hoo...
New York, Chicago, D.C., LA,...
All have the same in common...low graduation rates, high teen pregnancy rates,high gang activity, high youth minority death rates, high one parent households, high dependence on government (welfare) and high voter turn out for the DFL. I'll say it again...You need to take care of your own backyard before worrying about your neighbors.
You said that
hypocrite, not a conservative. You bear way too much false witness on here.
You know what I have to
You know what I have to say...
Arlo
No one cares.
Thank you so much for your input . . .
what does your church/religion teach about guns and violence (in terms of the words of Christ, our Lord)?
Eyolf
I don't think Christianity expects us to be the dumbest SOB in the valley either. Incessant appeals to pity ("We're talking about our children, for gawds sake.") or the "everybody else is doing it" approach just do not go very far because most Americans are smarter than that.
BTW, you used to be much calmer and more rational in your arguments, even engaging in a little self-deprecating humor from time-to-time. Are you feeling okay?
Bubba
Jesus said "Do not think I came to bring peace. I did not come to bring peace but a sword."
P.S. They didn't have guns in those days.
TW: Thanks for sharing your understanding of the Scripture.
I think we are all entitled to our own views regarding same. Happy New Year to you, Sir/Maam. You take care, now!
How about that sign
in front of your house, Bubba? Are you going to prove your point or just slink away?
It is OK to be weak in the flesh as long as you don't brag to be strong and then run away.
BTW, Trip,
I just spoke with my pastor. The saying of Jesus you cite is found in both Matthew (10:34) and Luke as well as the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas. It refers to the divisions within early Christian (usually Jewish) households, as some came to believe that Jesus was the Messiah and others did not. No doubt, that difference in belief caused tension and dissension; perhaps also violence. I do not believe that Jesus was advocating that violence, or any violence.
And FnB, the only sign in front of my house says, "Merry Christmas," which is my wish for you.
Knowledge Share: Scripture...Attitudes to sacred texts differ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_text
_______
Bubba
I don't think he meant violence either. I was just checking to see if you knew what he meant.
His primary purpose in coming was to 'force' us to make a decision. This is in contrast with most people's view that he came do help us behave.
Happy New Year!!
Fair.?.You bear way too much false witness on here...
Tink you meant...Bare way too...
Splitting word hairs, I know...
However, I do provide you an update...
Here's...Bear...False Witness...
Bear...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear
Second Amendment: Muskets Guaranteed...Everything else optional.
Wonderful conversation with cousin...
So...Here's how the conversation went...
Me:
Second Amendment...Written with 1 bullet armor...Muskets...
30 to 100 clip bullet sprayers weren't on the horizon...
_______
How about...
Second Amendment means...Every US Citizen is Guaranteed a Musket...
Cousin:
Good Idea, however...No, technology evolves...
Gotta have the larger and faster stuff...
Me:
Things that move fast did too...
Cousin: ya!
Me:
Then provide a Corvette in every classroom...Ready to Rock 'N Roll and drive over intruder
Cousin: That's expensive
Me:
As expensive as an armed guard in each classroom, and just as effective in running down intruder
Cousin: Point Made!!!
The moral of the conversation is:
We can do lots of pretty solid or insane solutions to protecting our children in school...
Let's do it with caution and sanity...
Strip clubs weren't
considered art either Einstein and Congress didn't pay for art back then. (I'd bet congressmen paid for it tho...)
Welfare and food stamps didn't exist and people worked or were thrown out of the town. Do you libs REALLY want to go back to musket times???? I do have a few of them too, do you?
Scribbles, and the first amendment only protects freedom of
...speech that is face to face or written with a quill pen on parchment paper, is that it? The Internet didn't exist when the constitution was written, so our speech isn't protected if we communicate that way, right?
Funny you should ask Fair...And Muehl...
Yup Fair...
The ancestors left us a one bullet wonder from the Civil War Era...
Kissing Cousin of the Musket...
50 Caliber I think...
And no, it's not useful...
Wonderful to hold and admire...
...
For Muehl...
First Amendment is Communications related...
And that's why we can comment here...
Internet is Communications Enablement...
I was commenting on the Second Amendment...Well Regulated Militia...
Yup, those Words are EXACTLY in there, aren't they.?.
...
Obviously, the latest news events with guns don't exactly qualify as...Well Regulated Militia..
Do they.?.
scribbs,
" the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed"
Shove your news over to southie's house!
You can't have it one way for one amandment and not the other. How many people have a musket? hint.... I do, do you?
I can protect my 1st Amendment right with it if I have to.
In fact if one has bunch of muskets they could fire rapidly without reloading!
Will you join Diane Feinstein in a "multiple musket" ban?
I also have a percussion Duckfoot Pistol that fires 3 barrels at once. Would that be a machine gun?
I submit to you,Sir,
that any weapon that may be used to not be enslaved by the professional government hacks that are destroying this nation will be the subject of legislation by the Commiedemocrat Party of the United States.
If you want to be a slave give snow/southie a call and meet at the designated camp.
Hey dingbat
I already said I don't have one of those. Are you going to lie again about things you don't know?
OK, I lied....... i have a few muskets. 50 cal and 72 cal