A Response to Evil

Life disrupted all across America as people reacted to this week’s shooting in Nashville.

Meanwhile, life irrevocably changed for the families of the victims of evil.

You and I Must Call Evil by Its Name

The Bible does not sugar-coat evil or resort to euphemisms when it describes the evil that exists in the heart of man. In fact, the Bible goes so far as to show how anyone is capable of evil because you and I live in a fallen world.

When Evil rears its ugly head, people look for reasons to blame someone or something.

In any case, no, no not one of us is right about everything, no matter how strong our beliefs.

I wish the media would give all the attention to victims and ignore identities of evil perpetrators. Let their names be forgotten. Some perverse need for recognition is fed as individuals act upon evil impulses.

The writer of Proverbs says,

“The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them;
    the cords of their sins hold them fast.
For lack of discipline they will die,
    led astray by their own great folly.” 5:23

My Pivot Plan

In my post last Friday, I said I would pivot.

I decided to direct your attention to the content other people produce. To serve as a team player, I had in mind a whole host of articles/podcasts, etc. to submit for your consideration. New stuff every week.

Knowing I cannot copy what someone else has written, my plan is to summarize and highlight main ideas and provide a link for you to click, should you find something interesting enough to read. Follow the Yellow Brick Road. Or fall down into Alice’s wonderland.

The events of this week make this the first article I’d like you to read.

A writer on Substack, her blogs are usually available only by subscription. But today, she reposted what she had written following the shooting in a Colorado nightclub, November 19–20, 2022.

To read her entire article, click here. With permission to share, I’ve included only excerpts.

“Resend: On the human capacity for evil”

“Shock. Not-shock. Horror. Wariness at instant media narratives. Annoyance at the defensiveness of conservatives, desperate to defend firearms before the bodies were cold. Reading every article about it . . . Guns are a topic a la abortion—they come with emotion. They come with histories and baggage. They come with passionate pro-and-con lists, they come with accusations of being a child murderer if you don’t think they should all be outlawed, they come with accusations of being a pro-government lib if you don’t think you should be able to buy them at garage sales. They’re one of those topics full of nuance that people prefer to flatten. It’s easier and more retweetable. Post-shooting social media is the worst social media. It’s sadness with nowhere to go, which nearly always turns into anger. It’s good intentions with sinful actions.“

Claire Swinarski, Letters from a Catholic Feminist

“Reactions are emotional. Responses are chosen.”

Rosemary Jensen, former Director of BSF (Bible Study Fellowship), taught this principle at a leader’s retreat I attended many years ago. This simple biblical truth serves as a guideline not only for personal application in situations where reacting emotionally, I am tempted to lash out at someone about something, but the principle applies in larger issues of life that surround us all.

The tendency to defend ourselves and our beliefs, which the writer of the article addresses, is why I resist being “issue driven.” Today, it’s gun control. Some days it’s climate change. Moral issues like abortion and euthanasia and gay marriage will perpetually provoke controversy.

Not necessarily agreeing with everything the writer of this article said, I made bold those last few words in the pull-quote from Claire’s article: “Post-shooting social media is the worst social media. It’s sadness with nowhere to go, which nearly always turns into anger. It’s good intentions with sinful actions.“

“Sadness with no place to go.”

“Me saying exactly the words you’re looking for me to say on Instagram aren’t going to bring back anyone’s lives. Me voting for the “right” person is not going to eliminate a human’s capacity for violence. Me following the social justice trends of 2022 might limit the number of people who own guns, or it might not—and it definitely isn’t going to make less evil exist.”

Claire Swinarski, Letters from a Catholic Feminist

You and I have a choice to make. Whose voice will we listen to? Sound bites and arrows aimed to incite emotions come from the loudest voices, not the sanest.

Taking sides goes all the way back to the elementary school playground. Making enemies is easier than making friends.

Do not be deceived. Evil exists. Tragedies bring out some of the worst in humanity.

Take time to think, resist reacting, and choose a response that honors the hope God’s Word offers his people.

Because of Jesus Christ, God promises that good triumphs over evil.