I’ve been reflecting on the current events at VA Tech. Who hasn’t been really? The one thing I’ve really been paying attention to these past 24 or so hours has been our reaction as people to these events as they continue to unfold. I believe this event says loads about our human nature.
Of course the first reaction we all have is “I can’t believe it”. This really should be our first reaction. When faced with the vileness of the human condition, man’s depravity, we should be shocked. Man is an ugly creature tainted by sin, capable of horrible acts beyond imagination.
The thing about it is though, we all look at this event and others like it and say, “how could someone do something like this?”. We’d all like to think that we as “decent human beings” are above things like this. My Calvinism says otherwise though. What I really appreciate about Calvinism is the fact that it strips man of any redeeming value. Man and his selfishness is the cause of all that’s wrong in this world and every single one of us is to blame. Events like what happened at VA Tech are simply stark reminders of what we really are in our heart of hearts. I don’t mean to put myself up on a pedestal and say I don’t ask the same question whey tragedy strikes. Nor would I say such reactions are wrong. I think in my mind, “what kind of human being was this guy?” just like the rest of humanity. However, I have to stop and realize that the killer is exactly what all of us are. That young man who killed those people did something that every single one of us is capable of doing.
I know this isn’t something that we like to admit. It’s hard for me to write this and truly believe that I would be capable of such an act. I know it’s true though. So the question is then, why aren’t all of us doing things like this? What is it that stays our hand? What is it that gives us the moral fiber to not act out in violence towards our fellow mankind? What else but grace? Common grace is what has restrained man from destroying ourselves since the fall. Looking back over the course of human history it’s obvious that man should no longer be inhabiting this planet. I’d even say it’s a miracle that this planet is still in one piece. What else other than the restraint of the Holy Spirit, the love that God has for His creation, the grace that allows it to rain on the wicked as well as the righteous, has stayed the hand of man from completely destroying himself? Grace is a force in this world far more powerful than any nuclear weapon or the highest caliber rifle. If God were to remove His hand from this world, were to stop pouring His grace on us all, I’m convinced all of us could and would act out in violent ways that would make the events of yesterday look like a schoolyard scrap.
Events like this are a constant reminder to us all of what a damn mess we’re in as humans dead to sin. It’s also a reminder of a merciful God who shows His creation grace beyond belief. Grace is what stays our hand and keeps events like this few and far between…and it is Grace which will comfort the victims and offer healing for those who seek shelter in the sanctuary of our Lord.
We ask our Lord for peace now for the survivors of yesterday’s events, and for healing for the family and friends of those who are no longer with us.
The School of Hard Knox 