![\"American](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/1467\/2024\/07\/Flag-and-gun.jpg\")
<\/a>I haven\u2019t pulled punches in my opinion of Donald Trump. I believe he characterizes everything opposed to the love and peace of Jesus.<\/strong> For years, liberal and progressive writers have warned about the societal consequences of Christians climbing into bed with their \u201cChosen One.\u201d For this reason, I\u2019ve heard some suggestions that the best thing would be for the candidate to drop dead before the election. But taking action to make that happen likewise stands against everything that Jesus represents. Violence is never the answer.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Many Christians know Dietrich Bonhoeffer<\/a><\/span> as a German theologian, executed for his part in an unsuccessful assassination attempt on Hitler. <\/strong>Some have even claimed that his death at the hands of a Nazi executioner was actually a martyrdom. Since World War II, Christians have debated Bonhoeffer\u2019s actions. Some tout him as a hero, saying that he stood against evil incarnate. \u201cLoving people like Jesus is all well and good,\u201d they say, \u201cbut at some point, you\u2019ve got to stand against evil.\u201d Others with a more pacifist bent refute this notion, insisting that the way of Christ never invites a violent solution. The debate goes on\u2014never ending with the deaths of Bonhoeffer or Hitler.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I suggest we move beyond examples from former generations and look instead at today\u2019s violence.<\/strong> So far, we have a lot of unanswered questions. I won\u2019t presume to address the facts of today\u2019s events. But I will speak against political violence as a whole.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Certainly, people like Bonhoeffer justify political violence against those they oppose, for the sake of the greater good<\/strong>. Had an assassination plot against Hitler been successful, they supposed millions of lives could have been saved. But this overlooks four important problems:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The truth is, political violence is wrong, no matter which side you\u2019re on.<\/strong> It was wrong when extremists overtook the Capital building on January 6<\/a><\/span>, killing many directly and causing others to die by suicide within months. It is wrong today, as someone has decided to take their political beliefs beyond the ballot box and take up a gun. Political violence is always wrong\u2014no matter how right you think you are.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Here\u2019s the thing\u2014everybody believes they\u2019re right. <\/strong>Republicans are sure they\u2019ll make America great again. Democrats are certain they can build back better. Each party has its blind spots, and each has its merits. Even though I believe Donald Trump to be wrong in so many ways, one thing I\u2019m sure of: I\u2019m certain he believes he is right. As wrong as he is, Donald Trump is doing what he believes to be best for America. While I believe Republicans to be wrong in their support of Trump, many others believe Democrats are wrong. If we allow these firm beliefs to erupt into violence, we turn our rightness into absolute wrong. Violence is never the answer.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Luke 9:51-5<\/a>6<\/span> tells the story of Jesus\u2019s disciples who called for vengeance against their enemies:<\/strong><\/p>\n When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to prepare for his arrival, but they did not receive him because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw this, they said, \u201cLord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?\u201d But he turned and rebuked them.<\/em> Then they went on to another village.<\/em><\/p>\n The NRSVUE adds the note: \u201cOther ancient authorities read rebuked them, and said, \u2018You do not know what spirit you are of, for the Son of Man has not come to destroy the lives of humans but to save them.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n I don\u2019t know the religion of today\u2019s shooter, if they had a religion at all. But my audience is Christian, so I\u2019ll speak to that audience. Christians who believe in using violence against their enemies don\u2019t know what spirit they are of. <\/strong>Jesus, the Prince of Peace, calls us to be people of peace.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In Matthew 26:51-53<\/span><\/a>, Jesus rebukes Peter for his violence.<\/strong><\/p>\n Suddenly one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, \u201cPut your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will die by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Jesus believed it better to die at the hands of his attackers than to take up sword against them. The King of Kings refused to defend himself, or to allow others to practice violence on his behalf.<\/strong> He knew that violence is never the answer, neither for religious nor for political reasons. Anyone who calls themselves a Christian should follow this example of peace.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n According to The Guardian<\/a><\/span>, after Donald Trump was shot, he pumped his fist and said, \u201cFight, fight, fight!\u201d<\/strong> Granted, the former President is allowed any emotional reaction that seems appropriate to him in that traumatizing moment. But I hope his followers will not take his advice. Not physically, at least. We don\u2019t need an eye for an eye<\/a><\/span>. We don\u2019t need an ear for an ear. America must be the land of the free and the home of those brave enough to refrain from violence, even when they want to fight. Now is the time for all faithful Americans to pray for Donald Trump\u2014for him to heal from the physical and psychological trauma of this day. Now is the time for both sides to commit to peace.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Was Donald Trump\u2019s shooter justified? Absolutely not\u2014political violence never is! Every liberal and conservative should agree on this. I haven\u2019t pulled punches in my opinion of Donald Trump. I believe he characterizes everything opposed to the love and peace of Jesus. For years, liberal and progressive writers have warned about the societal consequences of Christians […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4628,"featured_media":6048,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33,1],"tags":[4158,4155,4152,4149],"yoast_head":"\nBonhoeffer and Hitler<\/h2>\n
Questions About Trump\u2019s Shooting<\/h2>\n
Problems with Justifying Political Violence<\/h2>\n
\n
Violence is Wrong\u2014No Matter Which Side<\/h2>\n
Everybody Believes They\u2019re Right<\/h2>\n
You Do Not Know What Spirit You Are Of<\/h2>\n
Put Back Your Sword<\/h2>\n
Now is the Time to Commit to Peace<\/h2>\n