Everybody Wants to Kill Somebody: Part 1, Abortion

This link is to the entire document, Everybody wants to Kill Somebody: An Epistle to Killers Everybody wants to Kill (1)

Introduction: Thou Shalt Not Kill

Of all the commandments of God could there be any that are easier to keep than, thou shalt not kill. Is it really asking too much of us to not kill each other? When I first entered parish ministry this was a precept of faith that required only a little attention either in sermons or pastoral care. Most parishioners would live their entire life without having to choose whether to kill someone. That was an issue for which the military chaplain was equipped. They deal with the restoration of the soul for those who suffer the horrific consequences resulting from the lawful taking of human life, but it was not a matter of daily concern for the parish pastor back home. Today, Western Culture[1] has greatly extended the lawful right to take a human life to the individual and for an increasing variety of purposes.  Every parishioner will have to answer the question, “Will I participate in the killing of another?” They will be confronted with this question frequently throughout their life. Continue reading “Everybody Wants to Kill Somebody: Part 1, Abortion” →

Everybody Wants to Kill Somebody: Part 3 Capital Pumishment

This link is to the entire document, Everybody Wants to Kill Somebody: An Epistle for Killers Everybody wants to Kill (1)

Capital Punishment: Does God desire the death of a sinner?

We have already mentioned that in the case of abortion and suicide (as well as martyrdom and heroic death) that any taking of a human life is displeasing to God, breaks Shalom, is contrary to a life of holiness, and is harmful to one’s soul. Yet, the same God who has commanded, “Thou shalt not kill,” has also given his clear consent to the taking of human life for certain grievous crimes. Proponents for the death penalty do us no good service when they deny the first. Advocates for the sanctity of human life do us no good service when they deny the second.  Too often we try to resolve the issue in our  favor by playing with the overly nuanced definition of terms thereby, using many words, we complicate and confuse the issue rather than clarify it. Another tactic, which the Christian ought to shun, is to reach for an obscure and difficult to understand passage and then, rather than admit that we don’t understand it, impose a meaning upon it which the Holy Spirit never intended. Continue reading “Everybody Wants to Kill Somebody: Part 3 Capital Pumishment” →

Evertbody Wants to Kill Somebody: Part 4 War and Self Defense

This is the link to the entire document, Eberybody Wants to Kill Somebody: An Epistle for Killers Everybody wants to Kill (1)

War: Stuff Happens!

In a sense war is the continual state of unregenerate humanity. Scripture uses the language of war to describe our fallen relationship with God. We are at enmity with God. We are in rebellion against our Creator. We are in a constant state of war. Continue reading “Evertbody Wants to Kill Somebody: Part 4 War and Self Defense” →

Everybody Wants to Kill Somebody: An Epistle for Killers

Excerpts from the individual sections of this document are vailable from the homepage of this site.

Many of us have repeatedly asserted that human sexuality is a poor proxy for the real division in the UMC. It is the pluralism that leaves us incapable of speaking with one mind or with any integrity on any matter. As a result,  people needlessly suffer. Continue reading “Everybody Wants to Kill Somebody: An Epistle for Killers” →