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Abstract
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The human obsession with weapons is a timeless one. From the depictions of early Mesopotamian rulers with vast armaments to the millions of privately owned semiautomatic firearms in the United States, our fascination with weapons is arguably stronger than ever. While they serve useful functions, guns can also be dangerous idols, leading to devastating and unnecessary loss of life.
The current issue of Interpretation brings together expert voices on the topic of weaponry, including biblical scholars, brave practitioners, and modern-day prophets. The following essays place biblical texts and theological concepts into the conversation, especially as we search for ways to confront the gun violence epidemic.
First is the essay by Tracy Lemos, who examines the complex language of weaponry in the book of Isaiah. Although the prophet is famous for his declaration about the people beating "swords into plowshares" and "spears into pruning hooks" (Isa 2:4), Lemos provides a thorough and creative overview of the more violent references to divine wrath and weapons in Isaiah. The concept of "domination personhood" in her essay is one of the more astute ways of understanding this complex corpus and dealing with violent imagery that we tend to minimize or avoid.
Deanna Hollas is a leading voice for gun violence prevention in the United States, and in the current issue she provides a helpful overview of the many ways in which the gun industry has capitalized on insecurity and fear to sell weapons and prevent any meaningful legislation that restricts their proliferation. She pays special attention to the gun industry from the American Civil War to the present day and the manner in which White supremacy has led to tragic death and unfortunate stereotyping related to weapons.
Alex Evans is a working pastor who has ministered to police and victims in the aftermath of some of the most devastating gun violence in American history. His essay looks squarely at how gun violence impacts communities, causing immense grief, and the critical and often vulnerable role of police. While he rightly insists on the necessity of careful training, Evans also highlights the stress and loss that police experience when they insert themselves into violent situations. He outlines specific ways in which support can occur for all those affected by gun violence.
Finally, Kimberly Wagner considers the important task of preaching on the topic of guns. While some preachers are reluctant to address this issue for fear of offending, Wagner insists on the necessity of doing so, and she provides a helpful framework of "trauma-responsive" and "trauma-aware" preaching. Whether the preacher is serving in a community affected by gun violence or responding to a shooting in another location, Wagner insists on "acknowledging the trauma." As with the other essays in this issue, Wagner demonstrates that violence stemming from dangerous weaponry can no longer be ignored by preachers or their congregations.
Language: en |