Just Stop Killing

 (Originally written for The Baldwin Bulletin: Pastor's Column May 17, 2023)

“…And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning; from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image…” (Genesis 9:5-6)

Four Wisconsin law enforcement officers have been killed in 2023. According to Officer DownMemorial Page as of May 8, there have been 39 Line of Duty deaths in the U.S.A. this year. Not all those have been the result of violence against officers, but more than half have been. I’m writing this just days after St. Croix County Sheriff Deputy Kaitie Leising was killed. On the same day, eight people were killed and seven injured by a shooter at a mall in Allen, Texas. A month ago, another two of Wisconsin’s four officers killed were Chetek Police Officer Emily Breidenbach and Cameron Police Officer Hunter Scheel. A month and a half ago, six people were shot and killed at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. Lives “ended,” “lost,” “killed,” “taken”—put whatever word you want on it, these people—someone’s spouse, parent, child, grandchild, sibling, friend, neighbor, officer, classmate—are now dead because of violence.

Sadly, these are just a few of the lives that have been lost to violence this year. Perhaps you’re already wondering what agenda I have. Which route am I about to go with this article? Gun control? Back the Blue? Thoughts and prayers?

How about just valuing life?

The end of Genesis 8 and beginning of Genesis 9 takes us to the time after the flood in which God spared Noah and his family in the ark. God proclaimed to them, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth…” Then God blessed those eight people and told them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth…Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.” Finally, God told them that he will require a reckoning, demand an accounting, exact punishment, from those who take the lives of others. You shed man’s blood, you kill someone, your blood shall be shed—a life for a life.

To be clear, there were times after this when God’s people killed others justly. In Exodus 32:25-29, after the Israelites had worshiped a god made in the image of a golden calf at Mount Sinai, those on the Lord’s side were called upon to kill even among their own family, friends, and neighbors who had sinned against God. They did so in service to the LORD. In Joshua 7:25-26, Israel was called upon to stone and burn Achan (and his family), who had disobeyed God by taking plunder from Jericho. On a number of occasions, God sent the Israelites to fight and put to death enemies in the Old Testament. The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 13:4 that rulers do not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

We live in a time when there is so much senseless, unjust, unnecessary, sinful violence and killing. I’ve been asked—how do things change? What is it going to take to stop having to hear and see stories of another person—young or old; officer or citizen; black, white, or otherwise, being killed? What’s my answer? A genuine change in peoples’ hearts.

One of my brother pastors, Pastor John Hanson of Peace Lutheran Church in Baldwin, preached in his sermon on May 7, “Every person is made in the image and likeness of God…Fifth commandment, ‘Thou shalt not kill.’ Can we teach that to our kids? Can we teach that to our neighbors? Stop killing. Whatever the reason, just stop killing.”

Why are people killing others? Fear—whether real or a fight response. Hatred—seeking revenge against some opponent for a real or perceived wrong. Thrill—as disturbing as that is to most of us, the rush of having total control of someone’s life or death. Selfishness—valuing and thinking only of oneself, comfortability, and wants. I’m sure more reasons could be given, but what’s not included in any of those? Loving others and valuing life, that is, seeing another person the way that God sees them—made in his own image. What’s also absent is caring about, listening to, and observing God’s just and holy decrees.

Let me be blunt: people need to believe in the Lord, repent of their sin, and love him and his decrees if we really expect things to change. I’d love to say that people can just change their minds to value life on their own, but I don’t think I buy it. I’d love people to modify their behavior, to find something better to do than be drawn to the “thrill” or “rush” of violence. Here’s the reality: If we don’t love the Lord, why would we care about the commands he gives? The greatest thing that any pastor, any church, any Christian can do immediately to address this problem of violence—which is a sin problem—in our society and world is what Pastor Hanson said—to tell and show the love of Christ to others, to teach our children and our neighbors to stop this and remember the truth.

What values need to enter into our societal life together? Care about other people. Take responsibility for your actions, especially your wrongs. Respect authority. Recognize that people will think differently and that doesn’t mean we always need to fight. Remember in the midst of struggles, we can ask others for help. Actions have consequences but we don’t have to go through those alone. Stop killing, stop hating; repent and turn to God, heed his commands, and love.

Come quickly, Lord. Until then, we mourn the reckless devaluing of life.