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School Shootings – Why All the Violence?

School Shootings – Why All the Violence?

Seeing that shootings like this and gun violence in general is much higher in the United States than other Western countries, what does that say about the psychological state of many Americans? Why is this happening so much in America as opposed to other places?

In the aftermath of the tragic shooting of 20 children and 6 adults, at the Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Newtown, Connecticut people are searching for answers – why? Why did this tragedy happen? Why all the shootings – Columbine, Nickel Mines Village, Clackamas Town Center Mall, Virginia Tech, a movie theater in Colorado and far too many more – why?

Something is terribly wrong – but what? Do we have too many guns, or not enough gun control laws? Perhaps, but multiple laws were broken in every one of these tragedies. Will new legislation really stop someone on a suicidal killing spree? Will new legislation fix what is wrong with people who do such heinous acts?  Is the problem in defective laws, or in defective hearts and minds?

The Bible describes two competing motives currently operating within the hearts of human beings. Altruistic love, the principle of other-centeredness, as demonstrated by the heroic staff at the Sandy Hook Elementary school, who gave their lives protecting the children, and another principle, one that will hurt, exploit and even kill others for one’s own purposes.

The motive of love, originates in our God of love, who created us in His image to be living temples where He dwells by His Spirit. As we grow in our experience with Him, we open our hearts, experience His healing presence and find our capacity for love expanding daily. But, as we close our hearts to Him, as we embrace the values of the world, we close the Spirit out and not only do our hearts harden, but the restraining power of the Holy Spirit is slowly withdrawn from the earth. When this happens the bonds of love, which hold together the fabric of humanity, slowly unravel.

Paul wrote to Timothy and warned that in the end of time “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God– having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Tim 3:1-5).

Recent research confirms Paul’s prediction. A joint research project conducted by San Diego State University and the University of South Alabama, published in the January 2010 issue of the journal Social Psychology and Personality Science, examined the level of narcissism amongst college freshman over the past 15 years. Using a standardized measure of narcissism, in which a score of 21 reflects high narcissism, the researchers found a marked increase in narcissism from 1994-2009. In 1994, 18 percent of students scored 21 or higher, but by 2009 34 percent of students scored over 21. The love of many is waxing cold.

But why is this happening? Why do people become lovers of themselves instead of loving others? According to Paul it is because the truth about God and his methods of love have been lost, even among those who claim to still believe in God (Rom 1:18-31). We can pass as many laws as we want, but it is only by returning to the truth of God’s character of love, as revealed in Jesus, that genuine heart transformation is experienced.

We can either grow in love for God and others, or we can grow in fear-driven selfishness – narcissism. As love grows cold, we withdraw our support for those less fortunate. We become socially isolated, we stop giving to help, and instead seek to get our own. As fear and insecurity rise we see threats rather than friends. We disengage helping those in need, including those struggling with mental health problems. Rather than loving those with mental illness, we fear them, shun them, and avoid them.

Today, I had a patient in my office whose son suffers with schizophrenia. She was distraught over the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting and called her son telling him her confusion over how anyone could do such a thing to innocent children. Her son answered, “People wonder why this happened. It is because people call out for help and no one is there, no one listens, no one is available. And the shooter didn’t think of the children as children or people, he probably thought they were aliens or demons or zombies and was saving society from them.”

My patient cried as she looked at me and said, “My son understood. My son could have done that.” Her heart was aching because her son cannot afford the costly medications and he has struggled throughout his life to find effective treatment. When on the right meds, she said he seems normal, but when not on meds, or when on cheaper ineffective meds, he struggles to hold onto reality and often fades into delusions and hallucinations.

I am not drawing any specific conclusions regarding Adam Lanza. There isn’t enough information for that at this time. What I am saying is that when love fades in society, exploitation of others increases. Adam may have suffered with an illness that caused irrational thinking. He may not have been in touch with reality, he might have been suffering a psychotic episode, but if so, why didn’t someone notice? If he was delusional, why wasn’t he lovingly intervened with to restore him to wellness? Do we need more laws – or do we need more love?

But violent crime attributable to mental illness accounts for only 4-5% of total violent crime occurring in the US each year.[ii] Even if it is proved that Adam suffered a mental breakdown, violence in society is most often not perpetrated by the mentally ill. Then by whom? Those who fail to love; those who have lost empathy and compassion for others.

From this tragedy we will surely hear voices advocating for a variety of societal fixes: less violence on TV, less violent video games, less availability of guns, better mental health access, etc. While each of these interventions may have merit, do any actually address the root problem?

Martin Luther King, Jr. had it exactly right when he said, “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”

The only solution is love – unabashed, unafraid, uncompromising love – and that love is found only in Jesus. It is time for people the world over to throw off the distortions about God, embrace the reality of His unceasing love and begin living lives that love others more than self. The answer society needs, the solution the world craves, the remedy humanity requires is the unconditional, unwavering, relentless love of God! And that love was born 2000 years ago in a manger in Bethlehem. This Christmas, in the face of such cruelty, embrace the Love, rejoice in the Love and share the Love with others.


According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the US homicide rate is 4.2 per 100,000, while most of the European nations ranged from 0.7 – 2.8 per 100,000. The highest rate of over 30 homicides per 100,000 occurred in countries in Africa, while Polynesia had the lowest rate of 0.1 per 100,000.

[ii] Swanson JW (1994). Mental disorder, substance abuse, and community violence: An epidemiological approach. In Monahan J and Steadman H (Eds.), Violence and Mental Disorder. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 101-136.

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Testimony 35

I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

Clara S., Westfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

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I am absolutly on fire with the message at Come and Reason! I can’t get enough! I’ve read your book, blog, and articles. I’ve listened to your Bible study podcasts, your radio show, and your series – all excellent! It wasn’t until the past couple of years that I have I like I’m becoming “healthy,” with more to share with others than just beasts and commandments! I used to be a Bible worker and preached when the pastors were gone until I had had enough. I didnt realize at the time what the problem was, but i know now… the message wasn’t properly focused. Now my flame is rekindled. All of your little examples are so perfect in explaining something “complicated” and making it easily understood! Now I’m trying to shape it into a life changing evangelistic series! Thank you!

M.T., USA

 

Testimony 37

Hearing Dr. Jennings’ presentations in person came at a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey that began about nine months ago, when the fault lines inherent in my belief system began to crack under questions that most reasonable people end up asking about God and His nature. These were questions I couldn’t find answers to, and they shook my faith. I was unable let it go any longer and be satisfied. My Christian experience became distant. I was afraid; the fear in me rose like thorns, pushing me away from Jesus. And then someone heard my questions and introduced me to this ministry, and my life has totally changed.

I can tell you that this new, “present truth” message is far grander and life-changing than when I shifted from being an agnostic and then a nominal Christian. It has radically altered my worldview, because it reveals a God that makes sense. It is a revolution. I believe that Dr. Jennings’ message is the final message that must go to the world. If any message could be called “righteousness by faith,” as abused as that term is by the right and the left, this is that message, because Jennings’ biblical message identifies a God who is different, whose character isn’t an impossible contradiction.

I walk this path now without fear. I see people differently, and the Holy Spirit burns in my heart. Many call Dr. Jennings’ message false and compromising, but it isn’t false, because I’ve seen the fruits within my mind and body. It is not compromising, because in this message is the only road to holiness that makes any sense. No longer do I behold a pagan god who is always angry and suspicious. Instead, I behold a God who is freeing and loving, always working for our good, and giving me every reason to love my enemy even to my own death, just as Jesus pleads with us. God is good.

Anthony L., CA, USA

 

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I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

R. V. N., South Africa

 

Testimony 63

I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

Michael V., Yonkers, NY, USA

 

Testimony 72

I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

Testimony 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia

 

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana

 

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 68

Your message of design law vs imperial law is so uplifting and makes so much sense- it is a game changer for me. The fact that Jesus’s death is not a big payment by an angry God is , quite frankly, a relief.

Laura G., London, Ontario, Canada

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 55

I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

Dean P., Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.

 

Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA