Pipe Bombs. Shootings. Terror -- How Do We Respond?

It still is early in the news cycle.

So, it's risky to say too much about the latest rage of pipe bombs --the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, etc.

But there are some things we do know, giving clues of what's attached to this spine-tingling horror.

• We know specific persons are being targeted
• We know a desire to prompt confusion and terror is part of the motive. 
• We know the 'oxygen' fueling the effort is an overall culture of violence in our country and around the world
• We know mental illness (more prevalent than ever) might be a factor 'in play.'
• We know God is still Sovereign -- still 'on the throne.'  

Given 'what we know,' how do we continue to respond to these unfolding news stories?

Response #1 - Be Honest, And, Accurate About All The Factors Fueling Fear, And, Violence.

It's tempting just to point to one 'cause' of the current culture of fear and violence.  For example, a prominent tendency is to point to the current President. alone, who is well-known for his vitriolic rhetoric. As former CIA Director John Brennan, the target of a potential bomb sent to CNN, commented this week:    

“…“Unfortunately I think Donald Trump, too often, has helped to incite some of these feelings of anger, if not violence…”/http://fortune.com/2018/10/24/brennan-condemns-trump-he-incited-anger/

But in fairness to Donald Trump, he is hardly the only politician employing hot rhetoric.  In fact, in recent weeks, there has been a concerted effort from Trump's critics to 'take off the gloves,' and 'fight fire with fire.'   

As former Attorney General Eric Holder said recently at a campaign event for Georgia gubernatorial candidate, Stacey Abrams:

"...Michelle [Obama] always says, you know, ‘When they go low, we go high.’ No. When they go low, we kick them.  That’s what this new Democratic Party is about..." https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/411010-holder-doubles-down-on-when-they-go-low-we-kick-them-comment

Kick them.  Or to quote President Trump at a recent campaign event:  Body-slam them.  https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45913921

Well, you get the point.  Violent rhetoric as a means to confront opponents and enemies is rampant -- in all sectors of society.

And so, if we're going to 'point the finger' at persons for fueling fear/violence -- fingers need to point in all directions.

Thus -- overall -- we need to encourage -- overall -- a 'dialing back' of warring words.

For a moment, last Wednesday, President Trump seemed to point in this direction.  As USA Today reported:

"...Trump...implored politicians to stop questioning the moral character of their opponents...[calling] for a more civil politics hours after a series of suspicious packages were sent to high profile Democrats and CNN.  "No nation can succeed that tolerates violence," Trump said, breaking script from his usually highly partisan rallies to discuss the packages. "The language of moral condemnation and destructive routine, these are arguments and disagreements that have to stop. Those engaged in the political arena must stop treating political opponents as being morally defective."

Though Trump quickly returned to threatening talk on Friday https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/28/politics/trump-evangelicals-midterms/index.html,   the words he uttered on Wednesday, were the right words.  

Let's pray, they're revived with even greater longevity and 'staying power.'  

Response #2  -- Affirm: Christ-Followers Are To Model Another Way Of Addressing Differences  

In a class, I am taking at St. Mary's Seminary, in Baltimore, MD. -- I was reminded of a slogan made famous by the Mennonite Church:  'every church is a peace church.'  In other words:  every church is to model another way of handling differences, in the midst of a vitriolic -- hostile -- mean -- back-biting world.  

But then our professor, Michael Gorman clarified, that according to the New Testament -- and -- the New Testament church -- every church is a peace church.  In other words, peacebuilding/making is not just the opinion of the Mennonite Church -- but the conviction of the entire witness of the entire New Covenant.  

In doing so, Dr. Gorman quoted his friend Richard Hays, the recently retired professor of New Testament at Duke University, who states unequivocally, in his classic, The Moral Vision Of The New Testament:    

"...The teaching of nonviolent enemy-love [in the New Testament] is not merely an eschatoglogical vision or an ideal.  Jesus practiced it to his own death, and...[scripture]...presents this teaching as a commandment that is to be obeyed by Jesus disciples..."  (Richard Hays. The Moral Vision Of The New Testament, p. 323).

And for a good reason:  Jesus anticipated a world of 'hot' rhetoric and pipe bombs.  Thus, Jesus expected the need for a counter strategy.  But not the normal counter strategy of more hostile talk and violence.  As Richard Hays notes, God's people advance another way of combating evil.  And, the results are startling.

"...[For] whenever God's people give up the predictable ways of violence and self-defense they...[model]...imaginative new responses...as startling as going the second mile to carry the burden of a soldier who had compelled the defenseless follower of Jesus to carry it one mile first...If we live in obedience to Jesus' command to renounce violence, the church will become the sphere where the future of God's righteousness intersect -- and challenges -- the present tense of human existence.  The meaning of the New Testament's teaching on violence will become evident only in communities of Jesus' followers who embody the costly way of peace..."  (Richard Hays.  The Moral Vision Of The New Testament, p, 322-32

Thus, in a world flamed by inflammatory words -- and 'eye for an eye' tactics to 'get even' -- Christ-followers -- indeed -- model another way of handling differences.

Please understand: such an approach does not ignore or placate evil, but contains it, in a manner, as Hays advocates, that is imaginative, and not the 'same-old,' 'same-old,' predictable, but ineffective, 'eye for an eye,' retaliation.  The specifics vary from evil outburst to evil outburst, but as Hays infers, God reveals a nonviolent way-forward, to Jesus communities willing to risk and embody "...the costly way of peace..."

Response #3 -- Resist The Temptation To Live In Despair And Fear

With the rise of pipe-bombs, terrorism, and hate-speech -- it is tempting to 'circle the wagon' and collapse into a survivalist mode -- in which we no longer creatively live --  but cower in anxiety, cynicism, and fear.

Recently, I discovered, that a member of my relational world, had purchased precious metals -- and boxes of canned food -- because of the conviction that the world was collapsing under the weight of unGodly -- corrupt ways.

It was just a matter of time before the world, as we know it, would totally 'pancake' -- resulting in 'the survival of the fittest.'

This individual is not in isolation.  Survivalism is on the rise, because of the world's woes.   As The New York Times reported last year:

"...[An increasing number of persons believe]...the world is clearly coming to an end...[and so you must prepare]... following the endless headlines about disasters, both natural and manufactured...[But today's 'survivalist' is not]  the wild-eyed cave dweller in camouflage fatigues, hoarding canned goods. You may even see one in the mirror...[for]... everyone, it seems, is a “prepper,” even if the “prep” in question just means he is stashing a well-stocked “bug-out bag” ...[a bug-out bag being]...typically...lightweight military-grade backpacks stocked with provisions for at least 72 hours. Ready-made bug-out bags containing staples like water purification tablets, a 20-hour body warmer and a multifunction shovel..."lhttps://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/23/style/how-to-survive-the-apocalypse.html

But scripture calls us away from such fear, reminding us, that in spite of endless headlines of disaster, this is -- nevertheless -- still -- our Father's world.  Psalm 46 is especially demonstrative:

 “…God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], A very present and well-proved help in trouble. 

Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains be shaken and slip into the heart of the seas, Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains tremble at its roaring. 

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her [His city], she will not be moved... 

The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered and were moved; He raised His voice, the earth melted. 

The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]…”  (Psalm 46:1-7, The Amplified Bible] 

Such helpful reminder, amid any pipe bomb scare -- terrorist threat -- cancer diagnosis -- economic downturn --  synagogue shootings -- or any other fear-factor -- seeking to undo us.

In the 16th century, a great plague began to advance on Europe.  As it did, Martin Luther sought to bolster his people, and so, he penned one of the most famous hymns ever, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, based on Psalm 46.   Its third stanza is especially stirring:

"...And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him..."

I would counsel singing that stanza (based on scripture) -- frequently when pipebombs -- shootings -- or any other fear-factor -- threaten.

For Luther is right:  "...And though this world with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us.  We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us..."

No matter the headline -- the diagnosis -- the dilemma.

God's Truth -- Will Triumph -- Through Us.