Ferguson -- a Biblical View

As previously reported, I have to this point refrained from blogging on the situation in Ferguson, Missouri inasmuch as there has been so many excellent posts from solid police experts such as Lt. Jim Glennon ("What's the Agenda in Ferguson") and Chief Joel Shults ("Ferguson's 6 top use-of-force questions: A cop's response"). However, what we've not seen much of is a biblical view (aka God's position -- ultimately the ONLY one that truly counts) about what is occurring there. At first blush, I'm absolutely saddened and appalled by the lack of true servant-leadership and support for Ferguson PD Officer Darren Wilson by the nation's so called "top cop" (Attorney General Eric Holder -- who owes Darren and officers everywhere a huge apology), the Governor of Missouri and others. Instead, their comments to the media have served to further inflame the situation and helped to all but convict Darren in the "court of public opinion" (in direct opposition to the constitutional and biblical standard of "innocent until proven guilty").

God's inerrant and wholly sufficient Word, the Bible, provides important direction for us as it relates the the Ferguson fiasco and others like it. First, check out this excellent article by Pastor Robert Jeffress that I believe is right on target: Dr. Jeffress on Ferguson. Beyond that, let me just say that the rioting, destruction, theft and lawless mayhem (AKA, sin) we've seen in Ferguson (and in other locales before this one) is in direct opposition to both God's law (including Romans 13:1-4) and those of this nation. Moreover we've seen the media and uneducated "experts" who have never attended a police academy or served in a sworn capacity to learn and employ standard use-of-force protocol (and thus have no standing) fan the flames of violence for political and personal gain (sin). Again, we don't have all the facts yet (and I'm not confident that we will be allowed to learn the full story). However, what we do have is a young officer serving in a tough jurisdiction with an impeccable record being all but lynched by the public and certain law enforcement officials to boot. In fact, and while it does not often hit the national news, every day in this nation good cops lose their jobs and careers due to wickedness and political meddling. Accordingly, one of the major functions of this ministry (FCPO, Centurion, etc.) is to pray, reach out and otherwise support our own (and I have in fact reached out to Darren and his chief to let them know we're here for them).

Finally, and in addition to the biblical view of self defense (there is STRONG evidence that Darren acted in accordance with same), I suggest that we all review the following "attention to orders" from God's word as it relates to the Ferguson situation (not an exhaustive list by any means):

John 7:51
Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?

Exodus 23:1
Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness.

Numbers 35:30
Anyone who kills a person is to be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.

Deuteronomy 17:6
On the testimony of two or three witnesses a person is to be put to death, but no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.

Deuteronomy 19:15
One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Proverbs 18:13
To answer before listening-- that is folly and shame.

Acts 23:3
Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!"

Let's all be in prayer for the Brown family, Officer Darren Wilson, Ferguson PD, Ferguson in general and our nation's leaders who have turned their backs not only on Darren (and many others like him) but also on God's principles for government and leadership.