I am deeply concerned about our country and the direction in which we are going. Polls indicate that the majority of Americans share my concerns, although often from different angles. My concern is not just for the Biden or Trump administrations. I am concerned about the growing depth of the divisions that separate us from each other and the ever-growing cycle of hatred and violence that accompanies these divisions.
Divisions are not new. In our gospel lesson last Sunday, Jesus warned that his coming would divide even family members against one another. (Luke 12:L 49-53) But what seems to be different these days is that hatred and intolerance today is the easy access to guns and the willingness to use them, even against children! In each of the past two years, 45,000 people have died from gun violence (nearly the entire population of Cedar Falls!). There have already been 27 school shootings in America this year! A sobering reality as we prepare to send our children back to school. We used to naively believe that gun violence happened “elsewhere”. Today, grocery stores, supermarkets, small town parades, and even churches, synagogues, and mosques have become “killing fields.” No place is safer.
How/what can begin to bridge the deadly gap that separates us from each other? It will not be our elected representatives whose loyalty to the party and the mega-donors who appointed them outweigh their loyalty to the welfare of all Americans. On any issue, from gun violence to immigration, abortion, climate change and more, they are repeatedly divided along party lines and their fiery rhetoric only deepens our divisions.
Can the Church play a role in bridging this chasm of hatred and violence? Pastor friends serving in congregations tell me that in these volatile times, the best approach is to stay away from politics and controversial issues. Yet, is “playing it safe” what we Christians are called to do?
Paul writes to the divided Corinthian church community: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; all that is old is past; see, everything has become new. All of this comes from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. II Corinthians 5:17-18
In a deeply divided secular and socialist Germany, the Church has played a very important role in providing a safe and open place for the free expression of grievances and concerns. Indeed, it was these open forums that led to the “Wende”, the peaceful fall of communism and reunification. Is it possible for the Church to play such a role in resolving the crisis of division and violence that afflicts America today? Can congregations become a place of reconciliation where controversial topics are openly discussed, personal opinions and concerns are safely expressed, resulting in a deeper understanding and acceptance of the “other” as a valued member of the Body of Christ?
When the Berlin Wall still separated the city and its people, signs along the wall implored West Berliners and visitors to “Durchschaut Ihre Uniform”, i.e. “Look through the uniform “East German soldiers in order to see in them other Germans, precious human beings. beings….and I would add precious children of God worthy of love and respect.
The answer to gun violence as a means of dealing with our divisions is not more guns. The answer is found in “arming oneself” with hearts transformed by the fruits of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness and self-control. There is no law against such things. (Galatians 5:2-23)
Larry Trachte is a retired pastor and Emeritus Professor of Religion at Wartburg College.
Alvin M. Keeling 
