The recent shooting at Bondi beach in Australia has drawn worldwide attention. The events of that day were terrible, tragic, and wicked. These mass shooting events, happening all too often in the modern era, are reminders of the sinfulness of man, the disregard for human life, the hatred of others, and the apparent powerlessness of governing authorities to stop such carnage from happening again.
How should societies prevent these events from happening in the future? Immediately after these shooting there are always immediate calls for stricter gun control laws. Australia already has strict gun control laws but the Prime Minister vowed tougher gun laws would be coming.
I’m not opposed to government measures to put certain limits on guns. However, a full discussion of those limitations is out of scope for this article. Suffice it to say that in a sin-cursed world, the government does have authority under God to constrain bad behavior (Romans 13:1–5). We need governments, police, courts, and even parents to restrain sin so that the righteous can live in peace. So while restraints or constraints are necessary, and even good, they are insufficient to deal with the root issue.
Jesus said, “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person” (John 7:21–23). This profound truth needs to inform public policy. Constraints can help contain or deter evil, but they do not deal with the root or source of evil.
The Problem Media or Governments Don’t Want to Talk About
The ultimate problem is not guns. Evil men will drive cars through Christmas markets to kill and hurt others. We aren’t going to ban cars even though they many die because of them each year.
What is a significant underlying cause of many mass killing events that governments and media don’t want to talk about? Islam. While many on the political left call for greater gun control and chastise the political right for their unwillingness to address it, they refuse to recognize that Islam promotes a religious worldview that is evil and fuels mass shootings like Bondi beach.
In our post multicultural age we should be able to confidently say: “All cultures are not the same. All religions are not the same.”
Of course, the immediate objection will be that Christians commit crimes and do heinous things as well. I will concede that point. It is true. However, when Christians do wicked things, are they, in that moment following Christ? The teachings of Jesus, backed by his life, speak of love, self-sacrifice, counting others more important than yourselves, non-retaliation, mercy, grace, and so forth. That is, when a Christian does something evil, at that moment he is not following Christ. He is not acting as a Christian. A serious Christian, a Christian committed to follow the teachings of Jesus, will not be evil, but rather be full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-controlled.
Compare this to Islam. Let me begin by saying that there are many peaceful, responsible, loving Muslims. I’m grateful for that. But when a Muslim blows himself up to kill others or shoots into defenseless crowds of people, is he acting contrary to the teachings of Muhammad and his example, or consistent with them?
Consider Muhammad’s teachings in the Qur’an. The following verses are from Surah 9.
9:5, “But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.”[1]
9:14, “Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them.”
9:29, “Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.”[2]
These verses speak about killing those who do not agree with Islam unless they convert. They even mention Christians (People of the Book) that should be fought against until they pay the tax and are subdued. The historical context of these verses is based on Muhammad’s own life after Mecca when he gave people in Medina four months to convert or face war. Of course not all Muslim’s view these verses as applicable to today, however some do, finding license to engage in the same behavior today.
Consider also Muhammad’s life. He did live for 13 years in Mecca as a non-violent preacher, but later in life, as he gained influence, he led his followers in wars and mass executions of his enemies. His followers continued with his example and teaching (e.g., Abu Bakr, Umar). Beyond violence, Muhammad was known for his many wives, even consummating one of his marriages when his “wife” was 9 years old.
So when we see some Muslims commit acts of violence, the question is, is this consistent or inconsistent with Muhammad’s life and teaching? The problem in our society is that we can’t even ask the question or think that Islam may be problematic because we’d be labeled Islamophobic and racist. Here’s a suggestion: Why don’t we have the gun control conversation AND discuss the historic and theological nature of Islam as well?
Radical Islam and Radical Christianity
Critics will say that radical Islam and radical Christianity are both problematic. (Some would put me in the latter category and believe my vision of society is dangerous.) For many, religion is the problem. But radical Islam and radical Christianity could not be further in ideology or practice.
Radical comes from the word radix or root. We tend to think of a radical adherent to a religion as some kind of outlier not in keeping with the true faith. But rather than speaking of an outsider, the term radical speaks of one who is a serious adherent and faithful follower of that religion. In this sense, a radical Muslim and a radical Christian are completely different.
A radical Muslim adheres tightly to the teachings and example of Muhammad. His earnest followers were warriors, conquering territory and forcing conversion through threats of death or taxation. Contemporary groups like Al’ Qaeda and ISIS claim to be true or serious Muslims who are following their leader, Muhammad. ISIS’ famed militant leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi received a PhD in Islamic studies from Baghdad and was a preacher before declaring himself a caliph in 2014. You cannot understand his militancy unless you understand his theology.
Whereas a radical Christian adheres tightly to the teachings and example of Jesus. Jesus’ earliest followers were self-sacrificing martyrs, giving their own lives to preach a message of grace, mercy, and love. They eschewed all violence in their quest to see others find peace with God and one another. “Radicalized” Christians formed missionary societies, built hospitals, orphanages, ministered to cannibals, and promoted the same love and peace that Jesus did.
A radicalized Muslim travels abroad to kill the infidel and receive the promises of virgins in heaven.[3] A radical Christian travels abroad, not to kill others, but to give their own lives so that others might live. They self-sacrifice to tell people about the self-sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. They do this, not to receive virgins or sexual rewards in heaven, but out of love for those who do not know Christ and his love because Christ has first loved them.
The fruit of Christianity and Islam is plain to see. I know of no westerner on the political left who wants to immigrate to a Muslim country. However, I do know many Christians who have gone to Muslim countries, not for comfort and a better life, but to risk their own lives and comforts, and to share the love of Jesus.
Next Steps
Let me give some advice to different kinds of people.
1. Everyone: Be Willing to Talk about Gun Control AND Islam
For some people, discussions about gun control are tantamount to tyranny and giving into totalitarianism. Yet, we should discuss such things when this kind of violence occurs.
Should there be more or less gun control? Should minors be able to buy guns? What about people with criminal records, especially for violent crime? Should people have to demonstrate competency in usage and safety before owning a firearm? Should there be limits on owning military-grade weapons? Should everyone be encouraged to own a gun (e.g., Switzerland which has very low gun-related homicides)? If more people on Bondi beach had guns that day, would that be better or worse? (It did take the guns of police officers to end the killing.)
In an ideal world, we would have responsible people exercising responsibility with limited constraint from the magistrate. But we don’t live in an ideal world, so what is an appropriate constraint to limit violence without curtailing freedom and responsibility? We need to be asking and discussing these questions as a society.
However as argued above, beyond the gun control discussion, there must be discussion about Islam. The media continues to be selective in its reporting, which is a form of lying. The media continues to run cover for Islam rather than expose its teachings and history. It is not just the media who needs to start talking about Islam. It is our government and schools. It is the churches as well. I’m not just saying churches should simply expose the lies and evils of Islam, but churches must equip the saints to love and reach Muslims for Christ.[4]
2. Governments, Media, and Institutions: Promote Christianity as True and Good
As soon as it is recognized that not all religions or cultures are the same, steps must be taken to act upon that admission. It is not just a matter of acknowledging differences and problems with the teachings of Islam and its founder Muhammad, but there also must be the promotion of the religion which leads to the greatest flourishing and peace: Christianity.
Christianity should be recognized and promoted by our various levels of government. As the church advances in its mission of making the gospel known, all of society will be the better for it. The civil magistrate, concerned with people’s earthly good, should promote the church and gospel proclamation as the means to both earthly and heavenly good.
This idea scares people, imagining that Christians would form a religious tyranny like Iran. But that’s Islamic government. We’ve had a Christian government before and a society that recognized Christianity as true and good. A Christian society leads to limited government, responsible citizenry, peace and love, strong families, focus on education and societal progress, and financial prosperity.
3. Christian Men: The Gospel, Not Retaliation, Is the Way
I want to give a sober warning to Christian men. Government inaction, media bias, and a willful ignorance by our collective leaders has fueled frustration, anger, and bitterness.
Christian men are taking new interest in the crusades, holy war, repelling the invasion, stopping the cultural genocide, and vigilante justice. The current situation can be framed in such a way that violence or retaliation is justified.[5]
Young men especially, fueled by anger that their country, city, and future have been thrown away by the ruling elites with their heads in the sand about the religions and cultures that are becoming mainstream in Western countries. Young men who feel like victims are in danger of acting, not like Christ, but like Muhammad and fighting back, not with the gospel of Jesus, but with violence.
Young man, the power of God is not in the sword, but in the gospel. You know Islam is evil. You know the political establishment has broken their oaths to protect and serve this country. You know the future is uncertain and we can’t go back.
But your anxiety, your anger, your lament, must be directed to God. God is still sovereign. He will hold rulers to account. God is still wise. This world seems to be running over a cliff, but God holds it in his hand. God is still good. He uses difficulty, hardship, and trial to accomplish his glorious purposes.
Get off X, or whatever feed you doom-scroll, get alone in nature, spend time with family, listen to good preaching, evangelize people around you while committing to love them, cry out to God and remember his sovereignty, power, goodness, wisdom, and love.
Young man, most importantly remember the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Roman empire was conquered by Christianity while it was illegal. People were being thrown to lions, and the social stigma was intense. How was that empire conquered? Through endurance in the face of suffering and death. Through turning the other cheek. Through gospel proclamation. Through sacrificial love and prayer.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
Canada needs to be conquered once more with the gospel. Young man, this requires great fortitude, courage, self-control, and focus. The gospel is your ultimate weapon. The word is your refuge. God’s sovereignty your hiding place. Love is your armor. Humility is your shield. And Christ is your champion.
4. Everyone: Pray and Commit Yourself to the Sovereign God
When times are trying, we should turn to God. Before we discuss control, Islam, and do comparative studies on worldview, pray for the families of the victims.
Pray that those in Judaism and have some reverence for the Tanakh, the Old Testament, would find Christ.
Pray for those who perpetrate this violence. Jesus called us to love and pray for our enemies (Matt 5:44).
Pray for justice (Romans 12:19). Then leave it to God and the magistrate, his deacon of justice in this life.
Pray for peace. Pray for true, lasting, gospel peace. Pray that our rulers would be converted and that embracing the faith, we may lead peaceful and quite lives, godly and dignified in every way (1 Timothy 2:1–3).
Pray for the advance of the gospel in every way. It is only through Jesus that suffering, sin, and death will be no more.
Come, Lord Jesus!
—Tim Stephens
[1] Qur’an translations from https://quran.com/at-tawbah?translations=131%2C22 (A. Yusuf Ali translation).
[2] See also 2:191–193; 4:89; 8:12; 8:39; 47:4; 66:9. Of course, there are other texts in the Hadith beyond these passages in the Qur’an that speak of violence towards others.
[3] The Qur’an describes paradise with rewards including beautiful, pure virgins described as untouched beings with features like large eyes and full breasts (Surahs 44:54, 55:56–74, 56:22–37, 78:33). Groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS promised 72 of these virgins for those who died in holy war based on texts in the Hadith (traditional sayings of Muhammad).
[4] This past Sunday, preaching on Isaiah 9:6 where Jesus is said to be the “Mighty God,” I preached at length defending the deity of Christ and helping believers to reach their Muslim neighbors for Christ.
[5] If framed a certain way, arguments can be set forward for a defensive war or just war to make retaliation permissible.