Current Events Monday: Processing Recent Violence in Austin
Fourteen people were wounded—one of whom died—in a senseless shooting early Saturday morning on Sixth Street (Austin mass shooting: 1 juvenile suspect in custody, another suspect still at large in 6th Street attack | KXAN Austin). About 24 hours later, three more shootings took place in the city (3 overnight shootings in Austin 1 day after 6th Street mass shooting | KXAN Austin). Many residents seem to be beside themselves as to what is causing the uptick in violence.
Facts bear out that we should have some grave concerns. In January through May of this year, the Austin Police Department reports that murders increased by 74% as compared to the same timespan in 2020. This sharp increase leads some people to make hotly debated conclusions. For instance, some see a direct connection between the increased violence and the defunding of police. This viewpoint may have merit. The Austin City Council cut $21.5 million from the 2021 APD budget and shifted another $128 million to different city departments. KLBJ-AM radio reports that 150 police jobs were consequently cut, leading to another 140 vacancies and the cancellation of the latest cadet class.
Yet, others say, “Not so fast” when connecting police budget cuts to increased violence. Some criminologists believe that violent crime is on the increase not just in Austin but around the nation. In fact, compared to cities like Chicago and El Paso, the Austin numbers (per capita) do not seem to be as alarming—although Austin is currently outpacing Houston in the crime uptick. In a nutshell, criminologist basically tell us that it is too early to make exact conclusions about the whys and wherefores of increased violence. One should also account for pandemic stress, unemployment, and increased drug/alcohol consumption in the past year, all of which can lead people to crime (PolitiFact | Murders are up in Austin, but little proof that’s tied to police defunding).
No matter where you stand on the increased violence or who is to blame, this is a good time for Christians to reflect deeply again on Jesus’ instructions about violence and conflict. Some of Christ’s most blatant teachings about this subject can be found in the Sermon on the Mount, specifically in Matthew 5:21-26. While we know it is wrong to murder, Jesus goes deeper into our hearts and motives. He essentially wants us to deal with the root out of which murder and violence grow—the heart. The Lord says that, even if we are so much as angry with a neighbor, we face eternal condemnation. A mere insult leads one to the gates of hell. This is a serious charge, indeed.
It looks like Jesus desires for us to undertake quite the spiritual examination before we talk about police defunding and the divisive politics regarding violence. Let’s face it—we are quite unwilling to admit that there is no escape from our human finiteness. No one has truly achieved some sort of transcendence over the hot-button issues of our day. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me,” meaning that the end to violence begins with repentance of sin and coming by faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. Following Jesus will lead one to discover the root of bitterness and anger that leads to violence. Following Jesus will also give us insight into the grace we need to show each other instead of blaming increased violence on those who are so “beneath us.” The increased violence problem is not a political problem to be solved with money, awareness, reimagining, education, and training. It’s a sin problem that must be rooted out of the human heart by the power of the Holy Spirit.
What then are some steps we can take to follow Christ’s Way in these violent times?
- Remember that the destruction of life is a heinous sin. Jesus indicates that we can commit murder and never pull a trigger. Just calling someone a “fool” is enough to make someone else die on the inside. No politician or court can regulate such killing. It starts with the heart. We must get our hearts right with the Lord.
- God wills the sanctity of life. How would Jesus want you to treat your neighbor today? Remember that everyone is created in the image of God. While that image is marred by human sin, our responsibility is to make peace with all as far as it depends on us (Romans 12:18).
- Don’t leave your anger undone. Jesus calls us to solve our conflicts quickly with an enemy or neighbor (Matthew 25:25-26). Are you prepared to confess your sins to someone you have wronged? Are you bitter at how someone made you angry years ago? Perhaps it’s time to solve the conflict. If you continue to let the anger and sin fester, it will eventually come out in extremely unhealthy ways.