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"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy." -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Certain events each year bring us to intense debate. None have been more sensational than the sentencing of police officer Amber Guyer in the shooting death of Botham Jean, a 28-year old accountant. His brother Brandt's request to hug the
convicted officer was a display of mercy and forgiveness in his closing statement at the jury trial. The Hon.Tammy Kemp, the African-American judge, hugged Guyer and gave her a bible. Joshua Brown, the main witness, was shot and killed almost immediately after the sentencing. All of this has sparked great public CONTROVERSY - disagreement, typically when prolonged, public, and heated. On social media and in-person forums, people are wrangling over their thoughts and feelings.
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| Botham Jean & Amber Guyer |
An African-American community weary of unwarranted police brutality and corruption, marched through the streets of Dallas, TX after the September, 2018 shooting of Botham Jean, an innocent man shot in his home. I'm still not really sure why. Our community is all too accustomed to trials of officers not returning convictions. This case was different in that the defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Normally, that would have rendered a "FINALLY" sigh from us...until we heard the words of young Brandt Jean, stating that he "didn't even want her to go to jail," but "wanted God's best for her, which would be to accept Christ into her life." These
statements started a maelstrom of controversy with Christians about forgiveness, justice, and mercy. How could he forgive her? Why did he have to hug her? How could the judge hug her? How could Brandt state he didn't want her to go to jail? Some pastors were furious, even though the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about forgiving even the most undeserving, which makes Brandt Jean's words and actions truly remarkable. If we could not imagine ourselves being that full of Christ's Spirit, we'd still have to believe that it was right...AND...Jean's mother, Allison's calls for justice and the end of corruption are also right. These are complexities Christ-followers must master.
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"In a controversy the instant we feel anger, we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves." It seems to offten we cease to promote the cause of Christ and the supernatural cross-life He calls us to lead (Matt. 16:24), and we begin to struggle and fight to hold on to our carnality. The Apostle Paul warned Timothy his protege about entering into these types of arguments.
23Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:23-26, ESV)
upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hand
Praying we will do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. (Mic. 6:8)
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