DANGEROUS BILLS To quote Rev. Nancy Nord Bence, Executive Director of Protect Minnesota, ” “The Permitless Carry and stand your ground (SYG) bills introduced yesterday in the state legislature represent the most extreme views of the gun lobby, not the moderate views of…

REFUSE AND CHOOSE Isaiah 7:15-16 twice includes the phrase, “refuse the evil and choose the good.” I find these words fitting for gun violence prevention (GVP) action. The verbs “refuse” and “choose” are powered by personal decision. As Helmut Thielecke expressed in his…

THE COST OF ARROGANCE: I submit that arrogance is a major contributor to gun violence, the rise of White Nationalism and the election of Donald Trump. In his confession after killing nine African-Americans, with a .45 calibre handgun at the Mother Immanuel AME…

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…

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.”…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…