School Shootings…Now Church Shootings?
Bodie
Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI
Biblical Authority Ministries, June 30, 2025 (Donate)
There Is A Problem!
In a society where people make their own rules based on their belief system what would you expect? Do you think people would ignore God’s rules such as not to murder—if people set their own rules? Well, that is just one aspect, but it certainly is true.
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 17:6, NKJV
Christ is king and sits above any authority on earth (of course some reject this, but Christ still reigns, whether they want to admit it or not.) The King says not to murder. But people are taught that they are their own authority, and not Christ. And hence, the King’s rules are often neglected as people raise their own beliefs up to be greater than God’s.
Violence Increasing
If people set their own rules, and many in today’s humanistic culture have been taught this from an early age, then be prepared. School shootings, church shooting and so on will increase. It is sad to say this, but these people are being consistent in their worldview.
Some may recall Columbine or other schools in their own states or countries, but even universities have been hit such as Northern Illinois University on February 14, 2008 or Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007. And now…churches are no longer safe either. In late 2007, a shooter, who had a Christian background, went into a Mission and a Church and became a murderer. Even when someone who claims to be a Christian defies God’s Word and murders, then they raise their own beliefs up above God’s Word—which shows humanistic influence.
But shootings are not limited to the US alone—they are indeed around the world. Perhaps the most famous international school shooting was a student in Finland who due to evolutionary beliefs, decided to put “natural selection and survival of the fittest back on tracks!”[1]
Or Sunday March 8, 2009, violence erupted in Maysville, IL. in a Baptist church. A shooter opened fire on pastor Fred Winters at the pulpit. Our hearts and prayers go out to the pastor’s family and others in the church, specifically those who were injured trying to subdue the shooter (apparently the shooter pulled a knife when the gun finally jammed.)[2]
Why?
When such tragedies strike, people often want to assign blame. And sometimes there are several factors involved, but the root cause is sin. We are in a sin-cursed world because our forbearer, Adam, sinned against God. And because Adam sinned, we all sinned and continue to sin.
Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. Hebrews 7:9-10, NKJV
Listen friends, we were all in Adam when he sinned just as Levi (Abraham’s great grandson) was in Abraham when he tithed to Melchizedek. So, we can’t simply blame Adam for all the problems. And we sin too. It may seem like a difficult time with no escape, but though repentance and faith in Christ, one can be saved. Life will not become a “basket of roses” as long as well remain in a sin-cursed world, but the sting of death, which is the ultimate punishment for sin will be thwarted (1 Corinthians 15:51-58).
But due to sin, people suppress the knowledge of God and reject Him as their authority (Romans 1:18-32). Hence, religious perspectives like humanism begin to flourish, where the belief is basically that people are the authority over God.
What Can Be Done?
And in today’s society, Christians are letting the philosophy of “people setting their own rules” go too far. It is time for Christians to challenge humanistic ideas in all fronts to “cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” Per 2 Corinthians 10:5.
As seen, this humanistic philosophy that has taken over society in the past 50 years or better is starting to beat fruit. One of those fruits is school shootings, if it continues to pervade our society, will bring it too its knees. Sadly, these are simply consequences of a secular culture.
The first way to counter this is to begin with ourselves, then our families, then our churches and then our culture. We need to start having answers for why the Bible is true and how why it is the authority. As always, such things should be studied to better communicate the Gospel.
Invitation
As Fred Winters went to be with the Lord, he died a martyr’s death like most of Jesus’ disciples. And like Jesus’ disciples, Pastor Winters devoted his life to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. For those who may be reading this and are unsure of their salvation, we invite you to also consider the claims of Christ and Gospel message that only come in Christ Jesus our Lord. See: Why is there death and suffering?
And
I would encourage you to find a local church and speak to the pastor concerning
salvation. For a good biblical overview,
I suggest reading Genesis 1-11, The Ten Commandments, the Gospel of John, the
book of Romans, then Revelation 21-22. This will give you a good overview.
Originally
here: https://answersingenesis.org/sanctity-of-life/mass-shootings/church-shootings-whats-going-on/;
Republished by permission.
[1] Pekka-Eric Auvinen ,
Shooter at Jokela High School, Finland, November 7th, 2007, On a
YouTube Post prior to the shooting, originally at: [http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071107/ts_nm/finland_shooting_dc_8;_ylt=Aq4.RMHxaUr2hsbLrzDwgBIE1vAI].
[2] Authorities charge man in
