We have read the horrific accounts from witness and school officials at Virginia Tech explaining in some detail of the morbid brutality that erupted on the Blacksburg, VA campus yesterday. We have now further learned that the assassin was a 23 year-old senior named Cho Seung-Hui.
The prevailing question that arises in all of this is: Why? Why did this happen? Why did Cho Seung-Hui do this?
As the reporting of the facts gives way to an attempt to understand, categorize and otherwise deal with what has happened, many suggestions have been offered. I have read that it was an argument with his eighteen-year-old girlfriend, Emily Jane Hilscher that was the cause of this. Emily was the first victim of his brutal rage. Others have blamed the prevalence of violence in culture, whether it be movies, music or video games. Still others have weighed in and placed blame upon his environment. Others blamed his upbringing. I have also read of folks blaming everyone from the NRA to Charlton Heston. And for each suggestion there are thousands of question marks.
So what is the answer? Can anyone give a reasonable answer as to why something like this happens?
Surely the humanism that prevails our culture is not equipped to answer such grim displays of evil through the actions of people as Seung-Hui. The psychologist, likewise, may attack outside influences in trying to nail down precisely what was troubling him, however, the answer as to “why” remains elusive. Many post-modern university professors may have a hard time even deciding whether or not this was evil or not. Regardless of who is asked we seem to get a similar response, something was wrong with him. For most assuredly, something has to be wrong in order to make someone do such unspeakable things.
This is a perfect time for the thinking Christian to raise his hand and offer clarity. Instead of trying to excuse God from any knowledge or involvement in such things, we would do well to speak with clarity as to the root that has produced such a vivid and painful disaster.
As Christians we understand the presence of evil is not limited to those things that merely unsettle us, but rather everything that undermines the will of God. Evil is not limited to the squeeze of a bullet or the rage of a murderous attack but in every act of self-exaltation that comes at the expense of the God’s preeminence. The essence of evil is seen through its relentless attack upon the goodness of God. From our vantage point there are levels of evil, however, from the holy eyes of omniscience there are not levels of evil, only God-attacking-evil.
This is why the Christian understands murder not just in terms of squeezing the trigger but also the mental homicide of hate. It is why Jesus threatened hell fire to those who would exalt themselves above others and speak with hatred towards them (cf. 1 Jn. 3.15; Matt. 5.21-22).
We understand this world to be plagued by the persistence and pervasiveness of the effects of sin. By the mercy of God the effects of such sin is restrained from being as devastating as it potentially could be, however, on days like today, its effects are no doubt horrifically gripping.
Additionally, it is a good time for the Christian to compassionately speak out against evil and to promote the God who alone has triumphed over it, will not turn a blind eye to it, and will one day completely eradicate the earth from it. We understand that history is moving in a linear direction, towards its pinnacle point, the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to rule and reign with all evil firmly suppressed under his sovereign foot. There is a day coming when he will reign in righteousness and all who do not submit to him will be crushed.
In the meantime we have a message do we not? Our message is one of good defeating evil. It is a message of redemption. It is a message of victory. However, this message is not for those who believe that they are without evil but for those who see themselves as evil. Pride is the mother of evil; she has birthed every atrocity known to mankind. It was pride that flooded the heart of Adam in the garden, it was pride that requested a murderer to be released instead of the sinless Son of God, and it was pride in the heart of Cho Seung-Hui that put himself first and took the lives of thirty-three other people. Pride is indeed evil, for we are all pridefully evil people.
Further, it is pride that keeps people from even now submitting to the sovereign authority of Jesus Christ over them. It is an evil pride that rejects his Lordship in view of self-sovereignty. If you, even now, do not see yourself as evil, there is a good chance that you do not see God as good. And therefore, it would be impossible to love him through the sin-bearing Savior Jesus Christ. If this is you, I urge you to come and join the millions of evil men and woman like me who have found mercy, grace, love and forgiveness through our good and faithful Savior Jesus Christ.
If you are a Christian please speak-up with biblical clarity to your hurting neighbors, friends, and family. For we are a people who pray for opportunities to speak of our God. God in his providence has given us such an opportunity today.
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I think we must also remember that God has a plan that He is working out to the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11). God was not impotent to stop this massacre, but He has a purpose in it, just as He had a purpose in the crucifixion of His son, and the selling of Joseph into slavery. God is in control.
Erik- Before I begin, I want to make sure you know how much I appreciate you maintaining this blog as a means of outreach and encouragement to others. I think it’s wonderful that you’re doing this and I really appreciate the time you take to maintain it.
I also totally agree with all that you said, but I’m not sure now is the time to be saying it. I think right now the first thing we need to do is mourn with those who mourn. I think there’s a time and place to say all that you’ve suggested we say, but we all need to check our own hearts before we enter into such a conversation because if we are not feeling the painful agony of this situation then we can come across as cold and uncaring people who are simply analyzing the situation so that they can try to sell their religious beliefs. I guess maybe I’m reacting against my background a bit too strongly but I grew up in a church where, if there was a horrible tragedy like this one the response was two-fold: God is sovereign, therefore, in one sense he has caused this so we dare not question what has happened. Second, this is a wonderful opportunity to make people think about what will happen to them after they die.
I don’t believe there are words in any language strong enough to express my disgust at such unsympathetic, heartless, religious crap. I’m not saying that’s what you’re doing, I’m simply describing the mindset at the church I grew up in and it made me want to leave Christianity completely. I once was telling an elder about my hopes to do philanthropic work in Africa and he told me, with a laugh, that the only hope for Africa was rapture. It made me want to vomit and say “screw you, I’m going to be a Buddhist.” Thankfully, by God’s grace I was introduced to a wonderful, compassionate Christian leader at a local church, a very compassionate Christian author, and the sermons of an honest, humble pastor and God used those three things to restore my faith in the Christian faith.
I think we have to be very, very careful in how we speak of this situation and perhaps the best thing we can do for the first few days or weeks following this event is not to try to justify it by invoking God’s sovereignty or exploit it as a means to evangelism, but simply weep with those who weep.
The one thing I think Job’s friends got right was they sat with him in total silence for a full week. Perhaps well-meaning evangelicals ought to do the same, cause until people know we care, they won’t listen to us.
Hopefully this doesn’t come off as too harsh, I do agree with what you said, I’m just not sure that now is the time to say it. And please don’t take any of this personally, I think your comments are very helpful, but I think they may be more helpful when we’ve all had a few days to process all that has happened.
What comes to my mind after reading this is the story Mark Dever (pastor of Capital Hill Baptist Church in DC) tells about his sequence of conversations with his well educated neighbor. I will try to find it. It is very appropriate here. If anyone has heard it before this little phrase will jog your mind.
“Is it evil or fate?”
I prepared my son who is in Middle School for the question that always comes up during times like these…”How could God allow this to happen?” With a schooling on Sin and the depravity of Man as well as the grace of God with an unbelieving world. Even through this, I still am impressed with God and His grace to such a depraved society as ours. We glorify these actions on video games and movies on a daily baisis. Its not as fun when it happens in the real world.
As a Tech grad I have special feelings for all those affected by this tragedy. But as to the why? I think those of us who embrace the Doctrines of Grace should have a good idea even though it’s hard at times to accept. In this instance I’m thinking of the T. (Total/Radical Depravity). We just don’t think deeply enough about the consequences and ramifications of Original Sin, what it means to be seperated from God and to be under the rule of Satan.
Our society has rejected God and He is lifting His restraining hand as He did with OT Israel many times. God allows these things (natural disasters also) to send us a wake up call redirecting our attention back to him. Remember that God’s justice demands a death sentence for us all. Only by His Grace alone are any saved.
Jake,
It is ok to disagree with me. I tend to (try to anyway) err on the side of giving folks the benefit of the doubt (as far as motives).
My point is that there are tons of questions and no one is giving anyone anything tenable. As Christians we have a worldview that does not run from the reality of evil. The sovereignty of God is very comforting in a time like this.
On the other hand, heartless and unsympathetic theological brow beating may be just as unhelpful as some of the other things mentioned. We of all people should know what it means to be broken. But being broken is not the end, we do a disservice if we do not lovingly help them to see that there is living hope in the living Savior.
The shooting was a terrible, terrible tragedy. I can’t imagine what the victims went through, and what the survivors are still going through.
Consoling words that truly comfort and don’t sound cliched can be difficult to come by, but the simple act of wrapping one’s arms around a hurting person and crying with them is often the most powerful Christian witness.
Pray for those who have lost family and friends at Va. Tech. Pray that we Christians will love them with a Christ-like love, and that our words and actions will reflect the perfect love of our Father.
God IS good. God IS sovereign. God IS merciful. May the church trumpet that message no matter how prominent evil seems to be.
Jake,
I spent last night watching news specials from all the media trying to answer questions about what happened. The secular media has introduced it’s secular humanist philosophy into answering the questions. This is how the news reporters have been answering: it’s the evil guns and gun laws that is to blame! It is a tragedy that could have been avoided if the School had better security! The shooter was a product of a dysfunctional self-image that wasn’t his fault. We should learn from this tragedy that America isn’t as safe and secure as we think.
Our media has bombarded the campus of Virginia Tech and invaded its mourning to get all the latest on what is happening. They have butted themselves into the situation and are looking to answer these questions with atheological solutions.
It is absolutely important for the church to come and give the right answers to the questions that are being raised. Everyone else is butting themselves into this tragedy and giving their world view, so why should the church keep silent and not give God’s answers to why evil happens and the lessons to be learned from the tragedy?
Jake, if you are upset that American Christians are turning a blind eye towards Africa and not being concerned. Then, why is it not right for Christians to tell God’s truth when all other views are being fed to the entire nation over their televisions?
As a pastor, I realized after seeing this all over the television, that this is something that must be addressed this Sunday. I will present God’s answers to these questions that the media is raising and answering. Is this because I don’t care and feel for these kids and their families? No! It’s because I care for all the college students and families that are not being told the truth. I don’t think it is wise to assume that being truthful and loving are contradictory. I don’t think anybody in this conversation is attempting to be harsh or uncaring.
we must love them by showing our love…and when they ask “why” we must answer in gentleness and fear of our Lord.
Amen Seth.
On Dr. Mohler’s radio program yesterday he had as a guest a guy from the SBC in Virgina. This gentleman was present on the campus as a witness to the memorial service and the happenings around campus all day. He mentioned an interview he had done with a couple of VT students who attended a local SBC church. These students commented that they had prayed Sunday night for God to break the heart of students at VT.
These students have an incredible opportunity to help their fellow students by presenting the gospel of Christ as the only hope in this world.
Erik- Thanks for responding, I really do agree with what you said, it’s just the timing of it that I have questions about. Thanks for the response though, it helps me know where you’re coming from
. As I said before, part of this is perhaps coming from me reacting to my past experience w/ Christians at my old church too.
Seth/Jeff- Those are the two best thoughts I’ve come across so far. Thanks for sharing. Here’s something I found helpful:
I watched Rob Bell’s 12th Nooma yesterday as well, it’s called Matthew and it’s about how we respond to the death of a loved one. He talked about a Hebrew custom called “Sitting Shiva” which means going to your friend who is hurting and just sitting with him, and not saying a word. He then talked about how Jesus wept and God sits shiva with us when we’re suffering. I found that enormously helpful as I’m thinking through all of this.
Pastor Steve- I’m not saying don’t share the Christian message as it relates to this tragedy. I’m saying we better check our own hearts before we enter the discussion b/c if we’re not careful we’ll only further cement the already-poor reputation evangelicals have amongst certain people in the USA.
I do have one other question- Why is blaming our poor gun control system somehow contrary to the Christian message? I understand the permanent fix is the cross, but in the meantime shouldn’t we use what band aids we can in order to reduce human suffering? I mean, the only conceivable purpose for a hand gun that sets it apart from other fire arms is to shoot other human beings. So why are they so available? Maybe I’m missing something here, but it seems like countries like Australia and many western European countries with tighter gun regulations, don’t face the problems that we do.
(Erik- If you’d rather not distract the discussion w/ a political issue like gun control, just say so and I’ll edit my comments if possible or simply post something on my own blog in order to continue the conversation (something I may end up doing anyway). I’m just curious as to why Christians are so opposed to any conversations about greater restrictions on gun ownership.)
Jake,
Gun control isn’t the answer to why this occured, and this is what some in the media are trying to blame it on. The total depravity of man is the real root of this problem and others that occur among human beings in our world. Are human beings basically good or are human beings basically evil? If you understand total depravity, then you realize that those who are unreconciled to God through Jesus Christ are rebellious against God at heart and mind. (Romans 1:18ff) Therefore, man is evil and more laws still won’t solve the problem of the human nature.
If you want to talk about whether it helps to have tougher gun control laws to avoid crimes, that isn’t the discussion I am getting into here. But the media thinks that man is basically good. Thus, this breakdown must have come about because of some faulty law… not identifying it as sin.
If we don’t talk about the real problem of sin, then the only solution of Jesus Christ will seem irrelevant.
Amen pastor steve.
And Jake, God does not “sit shiva” with us in our grief. Where did you get that? have you read the gospel accounts where Jesus actually dealt with grieving people? He doesn’t “sit shiva” with them, though He was a Jew. what does he do? What does He say? Several things, read and see. Also, David in the Psalms was in grief much of the time and gives insight into God’s heart toward those who are broken and hurting. If you want to sit with a grieving friend without saying anything, by all means do so. But if someone is godly and wise, then their loving, biblical words (not just scripture thrown out without thought)should help and comfort the grief stricken. Your comments sound very much like the emergent type stuff that assumes much yet is biblically lacking.
Tex- Honestly, when I read the gospels I see a suffering Messiah who deeply feels the pain of the people he’s redeeming. I’m not suggesting we don’t share the Christian message or that Jesus didn’t. I’m suggesting that before we preach, we’d best weep. That’s what made Francis Schaeffer so effective and in light of the stereotype of Christians (especially reformed ones) as being rather arrogant and cold, I think it’d be wise for us to weep with those who weep (wise, and biblical). I also believe that God is a God who comforts those who mourn (see: the Beatitudes) which means more than just sitting shiva, but certainly does not exclude it.
Also, could we please keep the e word and its derivatives (emergent, emerging, etc.) out of the discussion? The point isn’t whether what I’m suggesting sounds like what they’re saying, the point is whether or not it’s biblical.
Thanks for the discussion, I appreciate the dialog
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Pastor Steve- Thanks for clarifying your view, that makes more sense. I’ve posted some additional thoughts on my blog, which is linked through my name in the comments, so if you’re interested, perhaps we can continue the discussion there? (If not, no pressure, I’d just like to dialog about it
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If God is so loving and anti-evil, as gods usually are depicted to be, why did the omnipresent Christian God not prevent, or at least halt, Cho Seung-Hui’s massacre?
I am sick and tired to hear of this “loving God” that will someday appear “to set things right”. Of all theology’s folly, theodicy ranks right up there on the ludicrous scale with “Trinity”…
Methinks someone – anyone – who had the power to stop the Virginia Tech massacre and did nothing to do so, can only be described as a skunk! (Only some semblance of propriety prevents me from using a more apposite gynecological term.)
Christians, and other “godiots” made ludicrous attempts at justifying the presence of various gods during the 2004 tsunami; I am not surprised to see similar futile attempts about Virginia Tech.
Put a sock in it! The “God conjecture” is a useless and illegitimate world view.
Nathan Bond
Religion. Respect? Ridicule!
Hmmmm…
rejection of the triune God, blasphemy against God, and you are still breathing. Sounds to me that God is pretty loving to allow you to repent of your sins and be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 2:9 “the Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
Another interesting point for any God haters to think about is this: Where do you get your definition of love? Since, you reject God as He has revealed Himself in the Old and New Testament Scriptures. Then, I can only guess that you don’t define love as found in the Scriptures. Therefore, by what authority are you defining love? Most likely, it would have to be a subjective authority such as yourself. (what you experience, what your mind thinks should be loving)
The problem with a personal subjective definition of love is that it changes from person to person. Believe it or not, there are people who think that 9-11 was a loving thing that the terrorists did.
Nathan,
I used to think like you until God kindly showed me the absurdity of raising my fists, voice and bloodpressure against him. I have no power to give or sustain my life. I have been born into a world in complete dependence upon my Creator for everything. I had no framework for life, death, purpose, love or evil. We are finite people. To raise our fists at the heavens and impugn goodness to vindicate our own evil is a sickening display of rebellion.
Where was God? As Steve said, patiently enduring sinners like me an you, entreating us to come and submit to his son, The savior, The exclusive hope for forgiveness, life, hope and meaning. Read through the ‘free gift’ page.
thanks for visiting, i am thankful for the chance to communicate the truth of Scripture here on this tiny piece of technological real estate to you.
erik
Jake, I have no problem talking about the gun control issue. I am all for making it more difficult for criminals to get guns…however, at the same time I realize that it does not solve the problem. I’m not even sure it would really even curb it much…maybe I’m wrong. I say this as a total non-sportsman and one who does not have an NRA sticker or gun rack in my vehicle.
Nathan,
It is important to realize that God, while loving, is also Holy. God does not tolerate sin and He punishes sinners. God has an overarching will through which He accomplishes His purpose. He planned the death of Christ, the most evil thing there is, but the result is salvation for those who will believe.
God is in control, He did not merely allow the VT shooting, he ordained it. And there is a purpose behind it. Who knows what will come from it. The one who is at fault is this Cho guy who did it, but God is the one in control and everything that happens is part of His will. Whether it be to punish sin, create good out of evil, (Like the crucifixion of Jesus or the selling of Joseph into slavery) God has His purpose.
Nathan- I feel just as saddened by the tragedy at Virginia Tech as you do. And I’m sorry if you’ve heard religious people making insensitive comments in the wake of it as they try to protect their religious beliefs in the face of such a tragedy.
The question I’d ask you to think about is, what is your alternative? I won’t say any more because I don’t know what your religious/philosophic beliefs are, but as I’ve been thinking about this I’d much rather believe that there is a loving God who somehow has a purpose even though I don’t understand it than that these people simply got unlucky and died an absurd death. If you’d like to talk anymore, my e-mail is jakemeador@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you, not cause I want to convert you but just because I’d like to get to talk about these issues.