I have never watched one episode of “The View.” However, periodically, articles are written that cover outlandish statements made by a participating host. In this case, Tara Setmayer blamed the mass shootings across the nation on “a rise in violent Christian nationalism.” She went on to explain that this is particularly true in Texas, where it is “God, guns, and Trump.” Her apparent stand was that Texas Christians pervert Biblical principles to justify violence, such as mass shootings. Fox News covered her accusations in a story published June 2, 2022, entitled “The View co-host blames ‘Christian nationalism’ for mass shootings.” A second host, Whoopi Goldberg, went on to blame Christians for slavery and racism. The article reviewed other sources that slam Christians for many of society ills.
Such comments need a response. Christians are not perfect, although Jesus Christ is. The Church is not perfect, although the vast majority of benevolent work in our world today is rooted in Christian organizations. It is well documented that the 106 of the first 108 universities were founded by Christians, and that Christians and churches were the leading forces in founding the majority of hospitals, orphanages, and charitable organizations. A casual perusal of groups today serving the hurting masses of our world are generally connected to the Christian faith – simply consider the names: The Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse. In fact, 350,000 Christian churches assist 70 million Americans each year, providing food and an assortment of other services.
It is predictable that those embracing a secular mindset with anti-Christian motives would find a way to blame Christians for the mass shootings. It is eerily similar to Nero blaming Christians for burning Rome when he, himself, set the fire. This conversation on public television involving so called “educated” people is a foreshadow of what Christians can expect to see in the future. Jesus said that the world hated Him, and His followers can expect that the world will hate them, too. He stated, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake” (Matthew 5:11).
The world’s hatred of the church is rooted in the belief system of the Christian. The devoted follower of Christ believes the Bible is true and trustworthy, and that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven (John 14:6). The Christian believes the family is the building block of society and that parents should be the primary influence in the education of their children (Ephesians 6:4). Christians believe that marriage is between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:4-6) and that the life in the womb is a person who is worthy of protection (Psalms 139:13-14). The Christians believe that God makes people male and female, and that gender cannot be changed (Genesis 1:27). The Christian believes in respecting authority, including the police, and that God has established such authority for the protection and peace of society (Romans 13). Simply put, the Christian worldview is often in direct opposition to the humanistic worldview. The Christian view puts God at the center of the universe, while the secular view places humans on the throne. These opposing views will never be reconciled.
Exalt Christ. Share the gospel. Embrace the Bible. Love all people, even those who oppose you. Never be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).