Dean’s Bulletin Board 10.29.2018

The shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue is a terrible and heinous act of hate. Though original sin is evenly distributed, the pain of loss and acute awareness of division in our country should not be tempered. This act is the embodiment of evil where a lie took such hold of an individual that he felt the need to kill. Satan is the father of lies and his hand is in this.

Dorsey Henderson, the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, writes:

“This terror is added to the great heap of such crimes we have witnessed in the past. Yet our hope is not dimmed, and our obligation is clear: ‘Behold, I set before you this day, life and death, blessing and curse: therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live.’ (Deuteronomy 30:19) May we especially who bear the name of Christ be fierce in our love and unwavering in our courage, as we mourn with those who mourn, and work with others to lay the foundations for blessing, life, and peace for all people.”

Though we mourn, we do not mourn as those without hope. I pray that we would take seriously our call to be fierce in our love and unwavering in our courage.

One way we can demonstrate this is to gather outside of Temple Beth-El on Highland Avenue this Tuesday at 6:15pm.

This gathering is being put together by Temple Beth-El, Temple Emanu-El, K’nesset Israel, Chabad of Alabama, and other local Jewish organizations.

Beyond gathering, we should pray for all those who suffer persecution and hate, as well as for those who would commit such hateful acts. More importantly, we should witness to the transforming power of Jesus Christ in the midst of this sinful and broken world; our hope is in him.

 – Andrew