Author Archives

Archive of the posts written by author: Ron Letnes.
Nov
15

GVP and Luke 21:5-6

GVP and Luke 21:5-6 I consider Holy Scripture the strongest and wisest force addressing gun violence prevention (GVP). Yesterday’s Gospel text succeeds. The end of the Church Year is approaching. Jesus has entered Jerusalem and is speaking to his disciples. His words span…

Nov
10

DIFFICULT DAYS AHEAD

DIFFICULT DAYS AHEAD The recent election spells difficult days ahead for gun violence prevention (GVP). Trump’s victory, coupled with his blind support of the Second Amendment and bowing to the NRA, spell high odds against any GVP laws being passed. Similarly, with the…

Oct
17

THE POWER OF CHOICE

THE POWER OF CHOICE The Fall in Genesis 3 happened because of human choice. Cain chose to kill his brother. Cain is the match that lit the reality of killing for all of us. If we can choose to kill, we can also…

Oct
14

CONNECTING THE VIOLENCE DOTS

CONNECTING THE VIOLENCE DOTS Recently, a talking head made the comment: “Three similar facts make a trend.” Here are three facts plus one that expose the rising level of violence in our nation: #1: TRUMP’S OBJECTIVIZATION OF WOMEN. Women can be used for…

Oct
6

ROMANS 13 AND THE 2ND AMENDMENT

ROMANS 13 AND THE SECOND AMENDMENT When I seek to make an ethical decision, I look to interface the Word and the world. Bonhoeffer’s dictum of: “We cannot experience the reality of the world without the reality of God, nor the reality of…

Sep
28

VOTING IS SERVING-PART 2

VOTING IS SERVING-PART 2 As we vote, so do we serve. As we vote, we serve and promote values and strategies. Last week in VOTING IS SERVING, we read of Donald Trump’s program for gun violence prevention (GVP). This week we will look…

Sep
16

VOTING IS SERVING

VOTING IS SERVING Who we vote for is whom we serve. Why? We choose to agree with their positions, or most of them. Voting is giving assent to a candidate’s positions. Assent is serving. We will consider Hillary’s and Trump’s positions on gun…

Sep
5

COUNTING THE COST

COUNTING THE COST Clergy must always count the cost. What will be the cost for speaking out? Will people leave? Will offerings dip? Will I be asked to leave? Will the congregation be strengthened? Will our faithfulness be tested? Will the cost further…

Sep
3

GUNS AND POLITICS

GUNS AND POLITICS: CONNECTING THE DOTS The difference is glaring! the Democrats support reasonable gun violence prevention, universal background checks, an assault weapons ban and banning those on the Terrorist Watch List from purchasing guns. The Republicans support none of them. In short,…

Aug
24

Lights of Hope

LIGHTS OF HOPE! Addressing gun violence prevention (GVP) means playing the “long game!” Progress is like a “dim glow!” Yet, there have been beams of light recently for which we can be grateful and give encouragement. THE SUPREME COURT: Recently, the USSC issued…