The Greatest Security of All

News came Friday that restrictions have been eased at Liberty University in Lynchburg, allowing students to carry loaded guns into classrooms and other campus buildings, with the exception of dormitories. In the aftermath of recent mass shootings, (several on school campuses) some believe this to be a next step in making the learning environment a more secure place. Liberty Chancellor, Jerry Falwell Jr. said, “I think it’s a positive thing for security that there’s at least a chance that somebody responsible will be carrying a firearm when something like (the Virginia Tech massacre) happens.” Given Mr. Falwell's "at least a chance," perspective, I suppose it could be argued on the other side that there's at least a chance that somebody carrying one of those firearms into the classroom will not act responsibly. One sarcastic blogger, responding to the Liberty decision asked, "Who would Jesus shoot?"

The arguments on both sides of the discussion are too simplistic. One side believes that by arming more people, those who are vulnerable will be safer, while others believe that limiting the kinds of weapons and ammunition that are available will diminish the killings that devastate lives and communities. I wish it

were so simple. What we seem to have here is indeed a failure to communicate. Even among Christians, the disparate views and practices presented are inextricably varied. In our own church family, I suspect we have a wide range of passionate opinions on the subject. Does our hope lie in arming more citizens; making public, even religious institutions more secure by the presence of guns? Can we assure that the loopholes of legislation can be tightly closed and basic rights preserved through more restrictive gun laws?

The emotionally and politically charged dialogue and continuing unwillingness of leaders and lobbyists to meaningfully address these issues would lead me to answer, no. Once again, I am left to look beyond the noise and rhetoric. As a person of faith, called to follow the way of Christ, I seek a different path; I search for a different possibility.

The answer isn’t found in arming college students or classroom teachers, nor will simply altering our laws suddenly transform our societal challenges. Hope, the Psalmist says, is found in the Lord. And so, as the Psalmist closes the thirty-seventh Psalm, so I close this note…”Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.” I believe that is the greatest security of all.

Jim Abernathy