Author Archives

Archive of the posts written by author: Ron Letnes.
Dec
3

PREACHING AND TEACHING ABOUT GUNS

PREACHING AND TEACHING ABOUT GUNS Engaging the issue of gun violence prevention (GVP) takes faith-filled courage. Yet, we can and we must. Theologically, we are on solid ground, needing only to cite prophetic texts, gems from the Sermon on the Mount and nuggets…

Nov
28

The Idolatry of the NRA

The Idolatry of the NRA “Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me….The ox knows its owner…but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”…

Nov
19

TRUMP AND GUNS

TRUMP AND GUNS President-elect Trump vowed to personally eliminate gun free zones on his first day as President. His fealty to the NRA and blind interpretation of the Second Amendment signal guns for a gun free for all! And more. Trump’s selection for…

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…