Letters: Gun violence, imitating Jesus, HSU statement of faith

RE: Editorial: Gun violence: More robust response, less blame shifting

Thank you for your editorial in the Baptist Standard on gun violence.

It is irrefutable that if the age to buy a gun in Texas were 21 rather than 18, the 10-year-olds who died in Uvalde would be alive today.

A limit on the size of clips would save lives. Like in our old western movies, when we all counted to six to know when the bad guy had to reload, the effect is the same for police whether the clip holds five or maybe 10 rounds. Do the math. When the shooter has a 20 or 30-round clip, the probability of additional people dying goes up.

The same is true when you use these guns with 20-plus round clips for home defense. There is a higher probability of some of those bullets going through a wall and killing or wounding someone in your family.

If you don’t think you can defend your home and family or shoot a deer with five or 10 shots, you should consider more practice or professional training.

The Second Amendment is not without limitations. Under the U.S. Constitution, we all have a health and safety interest in the lives of our citizens. A good example of this point is our First Amendment right to free speech. Yes, we have the right to free speech, but one cannot falsely yell, “Fire!” in a movie theatre.

My hope and prayer is the Uvalde children and teachers did not die in vain, and that all of us have reached the point when enough is enough.

Dan Hinkle
Sugar Land, Texas

RE: Editorial: Who should we be—unequivocally—in this world?

God has an answer for your question. American Christians have so far to go to be like Jesus. Unfortunately, my experience and education reveal American evangelicals are not much different from past generations found in the word of God.

God’s answer to your question is: “We have become like those of old, over whom you never ruled, those who were never called by you” (Isaiah 63:19).

Instead of being revolutionary like our Lord was, God’s people have become like the present-day society. We don’t spend daily time reading and knowing God’s word, we don’t spend time on our knees, and we don’t build our lives and relationships on the foundation of love one another.

God’s solution to the American evangelical church is still the same as it was thousands of years ago: 2 Chronicles 7:14.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Praying for this nation and you in your work.

J. Owens
Kensington, Ohio

RE: Appreciation for the HSU statement of faith

I was glad for the news of the Hardin-Simmons University board of trustees’ adoption of a statement of faith and sent the following note to HSU President Eric Bruntmyer to express my appreciation.

“President Bruntmyer, I am grateful for the recent statement of faith on human sexuality approved by the HSU board of trustees. You have our support out here in West Texas as you strive to be a distinctly Christian institution in the midst of a world that has lost its grip on choosing Christ over aberrant whims of the culture.

“It will be increasingly difficult to take a stand for Jesus as even elements of the church drift far from the Bible.”

President Bruntmyer and the HSU board of trustees need to be commended by those of us who support their stand.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

“Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

Kevin Mitchell, pastor
First Baptist Church
Pecos, Texas