The essential question for believers when thinking about any issue is always, “What does the Bible say?” It matters little what politicians, leaders, or celebrities say. My goal as a preacher and Bible teacher is to search the Word to find truth and then to explain it and apply it correctly. Sometimes Biblical truth goes against accepted political ideas. Sometimes Biblical truth points out the faults of a leader or even of a nation. Sometimes Biblical truth offends people—and I’ve apparently done that in some of my blogs.

That’s not my goal. I want to teach the truth. As I’ve taught in my Christian Beliefs Class, my starting point for faith and values is this:  The Bible, when correctly understood, is the ultimate guidebook for faith and life.

Searching the Word and preaching that truth is the job, the calling, the heart of any true Biblical teacher. I’m not called to be conservative or liberal, to speak “Republican or Democratic,” or even to speak “Baptist.”

I’m a Bible teacher.

“What does the Bible say?” is the heart of what I write or preach. I’m not infallible, so I may make interpretative mistakes, but I work hard at being accurate. Often, after explaining what the Bible says, I add—as Paul did—my own suggestions on how to implement that truth. This is what the Bible says . . . and this is Jack’s suggestion on ways to implement it. The first is highly important. The second is less so.

I will do both in this blog. What does the Bible say about violence? (That’s very important!) How does Jack suggest that our nation reduce violence in American culture? (That’s merely one man’s opinion.)

So, what does the Bible say about violence?

It’s complicated, because the Bible is a big book and violence is condemned but is sometimes (as in war or as punishment for certain crimes or in self-defense) acceptable. Nevertheless, the overall teaching in the Bible is clear. Violence is common; God condemns it.

Let’s take a short walk through the Bible’s teaching on violence:

The first recorded violent act occurred in the first human family. Cain killed his brother Abel (Genesis 4) and God judged and disciplined Him as a result.

It went downhill quickly. Genesis 6:11 says that “The earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence.” Genesis 6:13 says that God was going to judge the world “for the earth is filled with violence.” We often overlook that the primary sin for which God judged the world in Noah’s day was violence.

In Genesis 9:6, God made His stance clear by saying, “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood by shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.” In that passage, God made it clear that violence against other human beings is serious, for human beings are made in the image of God.

Much of the rest of the Old Testament history books tell the story of human violence, hatred, war, and murder. The Bible tells the truth about human beings and about nations—and it’s often an ugly story.

In Psalm 7:9, David asks God to “bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure.” That is my prayer and the thought behind this blog.

In Psalm 55:9, David prays a similar prayer that we should pray today, “Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city.”

Jeremiah a prophet, brought God’s judgment against the King of Judah, for his violence against the weak, “Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.” (Jeremiah 22:3)

Jesus Himself taught (in Matthew 5:37-38) a way of life that was not violent, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” We are not to be violent; we are to be peacemakers.

That’s a very short summary of the Bible’s teaching on violence.

America is clearly not living by the Bible’s teaching. We show clear signs of a “culture of violence.” We can’t point to any one single cause to our culture of violence, so there is not one single answer to how to fix the problem. We must, though, be honest and admit that violence is worse—much worse—in America than in most western nations.

Rarely is there a day in which violence is not a main news story. Shootings. Stabbings. Abuse. We report it, but little thought is given to solving the problem. We have accepted a culture of violence as normal.

And when it does hit the news cycle, much of the talk is not helpful. It is common for leaders to point fingers and sound off with simplistic statements. We need to hear more than a leader saying something equivalent to, “See. I told you so. You should have listened to me.”

The truth is that our culture of violence is complicated and no one political position will solve it.

It’s more than a gun issue. Although guns are used in many acts of violence and are more likely to cause death, some recent acts of mass violence included a flame-thrower, a knife, and a vehicle.

It’s more than an immigration issue. Some acts of violence are committed by illegal immigrants. Others are committed by American citizens. It’s deeper than citizenship.

It’s more than a hate-crime issue. Some acts of violence are defined as “hate crimes” when they are targeted toward a particular racial, identity, or political group. Others are just as hateful but are personal or even random.

It’s more than a mental health issue. Many acts of violence are committed by those who have been diagnosed with a mental health issue. Many more are committed by people who have never been diagnosed in any way.

It’s more than a drug issue. Many acts of violence are committed while under the influence of drugs and alcohol or are committed by addicts. Many more are not.

It’s more than a legal issue. Hundreds of laws are on the books. Dozens more are suggested every year. Clearly, though, laws—even good laws—won’t solve the issue alone.

It’s more than a domestic violence issue. Many acts of violence are committed within families or personal relationships. Many more are not.

It’s more than a prison issue. We have the largest per capita incarceration rate of any country. Taking violent offenders off the streets—though necessary—hasn’t solved the issue.

It is all of these issues and more, so it won’t be easily solved.  But I do not want to give up and accept it as normal.

I have some suggestions; these are mine and aren’t necessarily prescribed by the Bible. Some of these will be expensive. Some will be hard to implement. Some may challenge common philosophical or political opinions. But we must try—and soon—or violence will get worse.

I’m not an expert. I’m just a pastor, a husband, a father, and a grandfather who loves people and loves our country and wants us to do better. I don’t want to live in a violent culture. I don’t want my children and grandchildren to live in a violent culture.

Here are some things I believe we can do:

• Politicians, pastors, entertainers, athletes, and celebrities (beginning at the very top) need to speak with more kindness and with much less hatred, putdowns, and anger. I’m not accusing leaders of being directly responsible for violence, but their words enflame others and encourage a culture of violence.
• Entertainers should drastically reduce the violence in games, movies, music, and videos. Constant depictions of violence-as-normal are not healthy and lead to a desensitization of violence. I’m not accusing entertainers of being directly responsible for violence, but they contribute to a culture of violence.
• Red-flag laws could be strengthened to give us stronger tools to keep guns away from those with a history of domestic violence and mental issues.  Universal background checks would also help.  If we continue to support the second amendment (a given in our country), we must find better ways to keep guns out of the hands of felons, addicts, domestic abusers, and those with mental health issues.
• Prisons and jails must do more to rehabilitate prisoners. Training should be expected and even mandated before we grant probation or a reduced sentence. Topics could include anger control, overcoming trauma, overcoming addictions, and job training. They should be widely available to every prisoner on every level. Incarceration doesn’t change people. It merely takes people off the streets—in most cases, temporarily.  
• Mental health services should be easily available and free. I talk to many people with needs who cannot afford to pay for counseling, medicines, or in-patient help.  Others who need mental health help get their insurance through their jobs. They are afraid to ask for help for fear of losing their jobs and therefore their insurance.
• Domestic violence laws must be strengthened so that it is always a crime to abuse a partner or a child—even when the victim later drops charges. If an officer saw evidence, then charges should be filed, and at least short-term orders of protection should be mandatory.
• Schools, places of worship, colleges, community centers, sports leagues, and other public organizations must do a better job of teaching how to avoid violence, deal with anger, and promote healthy families.
• Drug and alcohol abuse prevention and treatment must be improved in schools, churches, colleges, and communities, and there should be no shame in seeking help—which should be widespread and free.
• We need alternatives to drugs and alcohol. To “party” is now synonymous with drinking or drugs. “Going out with friends” is synonymous with drinking. It’s become part of entertainment, music, and sports culture. “Partying” or “going out with friends” or even “going to the ballgame” often ends badly.

And, of course, I’m a pastor with a conviction that God both forgives and changes people. I pray for a spiritual awakening that will turn our nation into a nation of people who deeply love God and who deeply love each other. Violence is a spiritual issue, not just a legal, educational, or medical issue. Violence starts at the heart level, and I believe that only God is the only one who can truly change a person’s heart. 

Our “culture of violence” is deeply imbedded in American life and there are no easy answers.  Answers will require political, social, family, and spiritual change.  But unless we are satisfied to live within a culture of violence, we need to begin to deal with the issues.

It’s past time.