The media swarm focused on the data first — the who, what, when and where questions. Then came the question, “Why?” The same inescapable question arises every time a Columbine or Sandy Hook type event happens. How could such a thing happen? How could a human being do such a thing? The easy answers are never satisfying, and they are often based on a confused morality or popular culture. We assume there must have been a political motivation, a mental problem or some social pressure. An analysis is offered and sometimes some horrifying clues emerge, but the madness of mass homicide can never be truly explained. As Christians we are called to approach situations like this from a biblical worldview.

The Evil As Christians we know that the human heart is capable of great evil. Human history includes great human atrocities. The 20th century included a list of names such as Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin and Charles Manson. Human beings are capable of unspeakable moral evil. We are shocked by such atrocities, but only because we have some distance from the last one. When humans commit grotesque moral evil, it tells us the truth about the nature of human sin.

The Restraint We must be thankful for restraints on evil. Christians must not underestimate the potential of any human being — ourselves included. We know ourselves to be sinners and capable of sins we do not actually commit. Why do we not commit them? Simply put, God restrains human sinfulness. If the fullness of human sin was set loose, humanity would destroy itself. God restrains human evil by several means. At the foundation of these restraints is the fear of God, which, even in an increasingly secular society, still retains a more powerful force than is often acknowledged.

The Cross We must admit that there will be no satisfying answers to these questions in this life. Christians know that God is in control and nothing is outside of Him. We also know that He allows evil to exist, and humans commit evil crimes. We are reminded that the evil in this world can only be answered by the cross.

So, as we sit here months later after the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., we must grieve with those who grieve. Pray for our nation and communities. Pray God will guard ourselves from evil — especially our own evil. And we must point to the cross. What other answer can we give?

Matt Wilson

Executive Director

First Priority Greater Birmingham