Statement On Events at the US Capitol

There are no adequate words to fully describe the feelings many of us are experiencing in the wake of the violent attempted coup and insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th, 2021. Many people are wrestling with shock and anger, while others are unsurprised that the vitriolic rhetoric of the past few years has culminated in violence. The root evil that sits at the foundation of this tragedy is the idolatry of power, which is seen in white supremacy, entitlement, violence, and hatred that accompanies this scourge. Further upsetting is the widespread usage of Christian imagery at the forefront of the riot. The violence and chaos seen at the Capitol does not represent the God we serve. We must call this co-opting of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for what it is: blasphemy. Jesus never called upon His followers to commit a violent insurrection, even though they desired him to do so! Instead, Jesus calls his followers to be peaceable, compassionate, a healing presence in the world, and a loving witness of His Kingdom. Now, more than ever, believers need to lament the domestic terrorist’s satanic misrepresentation of God. We also must lean into the duty conscripted on us by Scripture to "to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."