Why Do School Shootings Happen?
Barnabas is the author of The Curious Christian; The Pastors Kid, and Help My Unbelief. He co-hosts the popular Happy Rant podcast and writes for The Blazing Center as well as numerous other publications and websites. Barnabas speaks regularly at churches and conferences around the country and lives in Nashville where he works for LifeWay Christian Resources.
Let's get to know, Barnabas. What is the hardest part of being a dad?
I am constantly reminded how I don't know what I'm doing. You see everyone's perfection on social media, and first of all, that's not real life, but also puts a lot of pressure on parents. We are constantly told "do this and you'll have awesome kids" or "read this book," and there's just not a one-size-fits-all. Our kids need to know we aren't perfect and we need to be honest with them about our need for a Savior as way! When we pretend to be perfect, it messes with their understanding of a perfect God, a perfect Father.
Our big question for the day is this:
Why Do School Shootings Happen?
When we were small, we did tornado drills, but today kids do active shooter drills. We are thankful for this, but it still is so hard. Why do shootings happen? The answer is sin - and the way that sin has pervasively twisted and broken the hearts of some causing them to lash out. This is a broken person holding a gun, and it's really a result of the profound human need for forgiveness of sin and for all things to be made right.
How, as Christians, should we respond to sin? Of course, immediately following tragedy there is an outpouring of thoughts and prayers, but also calls for reform on social media. We have to just rest in the hope that Jesus has provided the way to receive covering for sin and that one day, He will return and make things all right. We do want kids who advocate for justice and are invested in their world. Care for the hurting. Speak for justice. Do something. Prayer is powerful. You have dollars and can give them.
Often, our "thoughts and prayers" are not a going before God with the names of victims and schools asking Him to work on their behalf, but instead is just a sentimental feeling. Real prayer can absolutely change things.
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What's the Best Parenting Advice You've Received?
You are not the Holy Spirit.
You cannot change their hearts. You cannot make them want to not sin. Our responsibility is to create structure, morality, and consequences for sin but we cannot make their hearts want to love Jesus. We can hold them to the standards of being believers and helping them walk in those and understand why, but praise the Lord - it is a work of the Holy Spirit that they follow Him.