The Balance Perspective

I think it’s appropriate to comment here on the shooting incident that occurred at a Church of Christ in Texas last week.  This should not be a political issue, but rather a human issue.  As Bud Norman said in his daily column last week, Churches of Christ are “blessedly apolitical and focused on more eternal matters.”  There is, however, a truth that cries out to be heard.

Those of the church family who were killed by the shooter are surely to be greatly missed by the church and blood families as well as friends.  The trauma inflicted on the survivors in the congregation will be deep and long-lasting.  The deacon who shot the intruder will face and confront life-long after-effects of his action.  No one emerged from this a winner.

There was also another victim here.  The shooter.  He has been described variously as “evil,” a “threat,” or in some other neutral terminology by the media.  Those descriptions may well be correct; however, we need to remember most of all that he was a human being.  He had a father, mother, and possibly other blood relatives.  He may have had friends.  He had a soul.  He was loved by God.  He was one of whom it was said in II Peter of God, “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  He was indeed one of whom Jesus said that we are to, “Love your enemy.”  He had a name:  Keith Thomas Kinnumen.

But please don’t misunderstand.  Even though the above is true, it is also true that Mr. Kinnumen, and only Mr. Kinnumen is responsible for the deaths of two people, and his own demise at the hands of another.  Only he is responsible for the trauma and stress.  Only he is responsible for the grief and heartache. 

As Christians it seems we are balanced between two poles, if you will.  On the one hand, we are to love as Christ loved; on the other, the reality of this fallen creation demands that we sometimes do things that seem to fly in the face of this overarching love.  We may be called to make, in a split second, decisions regarding our love for God, love for fellow-man and how that is to be lived out in our lives.  Sadly, those that responded did what they had to do.  That has been the case in innumerable places and situations before that, and regrettably will continue to be the case.

May we always understand that no matter where we as Christians may be on the political spectrum, or what our opinion is regarding the Second Amendment and gun control, we dare not dehumanize those whom God loves and desires that they come to repentance.  Let us be thankful for those who “stand in the gap,” protecting and serving.  And may we always long for The Day when all will be restored, evil will be forever defeated, and God’s people will forever be with him and with each other.

Jay Plank