Sunday Musings – March 21, 2021
Today the calendar used my many, the Gregorian Calendar, says it is the first day of spring. On the Christian liturgical calendar, it is the 5th Sunday in Lent.
For far too many in the United States it is the first Sunday following the death of loved ones. This is the case for the families and loved ones of the eight people killed by 21-year-old Robert Aaron Long. Most of these were Asian women. One Caucasian man was killed and another man was injured.
Mr. Long blamed his action on his sexual addiction. Some interviewed psychologists were quoted as saying that some individuals from conservative religious backgrounds incorrectly label even a little sexual behavior as a sexual addiction.
The church of which Mr. Long was a member quickly disowned him. In an Associated Press article by Luis Andres Henao, Garu Fields and Jessie Wardarski of Friday, March 19, 2021 quoted a statement released by that church staff as saying that “it plans to remove 21-year-old Robert Aaron Long from its membership because it ‘can no longer affirm that he is truly a regenerate believer in Jesus Christ.’”
A stark contrast to that statement was a statement by John Michels, brother of Paul Michels one of those killed by Robert Long as saying, “Although this is a tragedy, I forgive that man and so will Jesus Christ…I cannot hate him for it. Prayer for his repentance.” (Elinor Aspengren, Ryan W. Miller, Christal Hayes, USA Today, March 18, 2021)
There are many religions and many different beliefs about what the god of a particular religion considers justice. Within the Christian Church there are many who hold tight to what some would say is an Old Testament concept of “an eye for an eye”. There are others in the Christian Church who maintain that the central or core doctrine of the church is their understanding that their primary teacher, Jesus Christ, taught the concept of Grace which is often interrupted as unconditional love. Interestingly, this view is consistent with what we continue to learn about both the strength and the fragility of the human brain. We keep learning that the brain can withstand or survive enormous trauma, but that the balance which permits a shared reality or what some could call a logical or cogent thought process which is able to access and make decisions based on a set of core beliefs is very fragile. The chemical balance, the ability for sequential firing of neurons and a host of other factors including brain diseases and other medical condition such as a “simple” unitary track infection can affect what commands the brain gives one. Does Robert Long have a sexual addiction or a heightened sense of guilt about sexual feeling or urges? What other factors could have led to his decision or decisions?
The frightening question. The existential essential question is not what he was capable of, but what factors affect the thinking of each of us. Whether one believes Jesus Christ was a wise teacher, a God, or both, he clearly understood and accepted the nature of what it means to be a human. Us humans are capable of being kind, empathic, creative, creators of amazing beauty, and are equally capable of being hurtful to ourselves and others. We are just beginning to have a rudimentary understanding of the complicated nature of what allows or prevents one of having a single cogent or so called logical thought. When Jesus challenges the disciples “let him who is without sin throw the first stone” (to stone to death the woman prostitute) they all put down their stones.
John, the brother of Paul Michels , clearly accepts the teaching of grace. Sadly the church staff of the Crabapple Baptist Church does not accept this teaching and are in a position to decide who is deserving of unconditional love.
Disclaimer. I am not condoning the killing of another human. I am suggesting that Mr. Michels needs loving support and help with whatever is affecting his inability to respect the sacredness of others. As Christians approach Easter I am also questioning what constitutes a Christian concept of justice
Written March 21, 2021
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
Sunday Musings – March 21, 2021
Today the calendar used my many, the Gregorian Calendar, says it is the first day of spring. On the Christian liturgical calendar, it is the 5th Sunday in Lent.
For far too many in the United States it is the first Sunday following the death of loved ones. This is the case for the families and loved ones of the eight people killed by 21-year-old Robert Aaron Long. Most of these were Asian women. One Caucasian man was killed and another man was injured.
Mr. Long blamed his action on his sexual addiction. Some interviewed psychologists were quoted as saying that some individuals from conservative religious backgrounds incorrectly label even a little sexual behavior as a sexual addiction.
The church of which Mr. Long was a member quickly disowned him. In an Associated Press article by Luis Andres Henao, Garu Fields and Jessie Wardarski of Friday, March 19, 2021 quoted a statement released by that church staff as saying that “it plans to remove 21-year-old Robert Aaron Long from its membership because it ‘can no longer affirm that he is truly a regenerate believer in Jesus Christ.’”
A stark contrast to that statement was a statement by John Michels, brother of Paul Michels one of those killed by Robert Long as saying, “Although this is a tragedy, I forgive that man and so will Jesus Christ…I cannot hate him for it. Prayer for his repentance.” (Elinor Aspengren, Ryan W. Miller, Christal Hayes, USA Today, March 18, 2021)
There are many religions and many different beliefs about what the god of a particular religion considers justice. Within the Christian Church there are many who hold tight to what some would say is an Old Testament concept of “an eye for an eye”. There are others in the Christian Church who maintain that the central or core doctrine of the church is their understanding that their primary teacher, Jesus Christ, taught the concept of Grace which is often interrupted as unconditional love. Interestingly, this view is consistent with what we continue to learn about both the strength and the fragility of the human brain. We keep learning that the brain can withstand or survive enormous trauma, but that the balance which permits a shared reality or what some could call a logical or cogent thought process which is able to access and make decisions based on a set of core beliefs is very fragile. The chemical balance, the ability for sequential firing of neurons and a host of other factors including brain diseases and other medical condition such as a “simple” unitary track infection can affect what commands the brain gives one. Does Robert Long have a sexual addiction or a heightened sense of guilt about sexual feeling or urges? What other factors could have led to his decision or decisions?
The frightening question. The existential essential question is not what he was capable of, but what factors affect the thinking of each of us. Whether one believes Jesus Christ was a wise teacher, a God, or both, he clearly understood and accepted the nature of what it means to be a human. Us humans are capable of being kind, empathic, creative, creators of amazing beauty, and are equally capable of being hurtful to ourselves and others. We are just beginning to have a rudimentary understanding of the complicated nature of what allows or prevents one of having a single cogent or so called logical thought. When Jesus challenges the disciples “let him who is without sin throw the first stone” (to stone to death the woman prostitute) they all put down their stones.
John, the brother of Paul Michels , clearly accepts the teaching of grace. Sadly the church staff of the Crabapple Baptist Church does not accept this teaching and are in a position to decide who is deserving of unconditional love.
Disclaimer. I am not condoning the killing of another human. I am suggesting that Mr. Michels needs loving support and help with whatever is affecting his inability to respect the sacredness of others. As Christians approach Easter I am also questioning what constitutes a Christian concept of justice
Written March 21, 2021
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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