As iron sharpens iron,
one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
“Larry Robbins recently retired after a 23-year career as a Community Chaplain, serving with his local police force. Through that time he also served on the pastoral staff of his church.” - P&D
“I’ve always found it beneficial in such times to distinguish between the known and the unknown…. This isn’t the way it was supposed to be (Gen. 3:14–19; Rom. 8:20–25).” - TGC
“The Budget provides $3.2 billion in discretionary resources for State and local grants, and $30 billion in mandatory resources to support law enforcement, crime prevention, and community violence intervention” - N.Review
I spend at least 40 hours a week working for a non-profit devoted to improving policing—mostly in the U.S. I’m also a former pastor of 13 years and a seminary graduate. That mix shapes how I look at the recently re-ignited controversies surrounding U.S. policing and leads me to four observations.
The Christian worldview recognizes some realities of human nature and society.
“What can a pastor, elder, or Christian leader do—besides continue to faithfully pastor and proclaim the law and the Gospel—to encourage and help police officers do their jobs faithfully in the fear of the LORD? One option you might consider is volunteering as a police chaplain.” - Ref21
“Last June, 60% in a USA TODAY/Ipsos Poll described Floyd’s death as murder; that percentage has now dropped by double digits to 36%.” - USA Today
“Having served as a pastor for 33 years and a police chaplain for six years, my respect toward these two important professions is immense. Conversely, my disrespect against someone from either profession who preys on those they’ve promised to protect is also immense.” - LifeWay
“What that says is there’s no longer any middle ground. The contrasts are too stark. We can side with a working mother, someone’s daughter and neighbor, who is willing to risk her life for her community and her partner. Or we can side with those who laugh at her being shot and choking on her own blood, her only sin being the badge she wears.” - TAC
“We understand that you often find yourselves in volatile situations that demand the Wisdom of Solomon in a split second. You walk a fine line where your own personal safety is a stake on one side, and potentially life-changing legal consequences loom on the other. We pray God will keep you safe and give you His wisdom.
In the 1850’s “Californians learned the hard way that vigilante justice and the demands of the mob are no substitute for police and courts of law. Let us hope we do not need that lesson again.” - National Review
Discussion