If Your Sermon Praises Nightclub Shootings, Your Theology Sucks

It has come to my attention that there is at least one sermon circulating that praises the Orlando nightclub shooting.  As a Christian that makes me angry, though not angry enough to mention the congregation or denomination.  It would be wrong to paint a whole town or a whole church with the same brush.  As a Christian, I should probably also have chosen a more diplomatic title than this, but as I mentioned, I am angry.

I think it's a reasonable rule of thumb that before writing a sermon, it's a good idea to consult the Bible.  Anyone who writes a sermon praising a nightclub shooting either failed to consult the Bible or failed to consult enough of it.  Leviticus 20:13 does say "if there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death."  If that is all of the Bible that you have ever read, then perhaps you might think that the Bible supports nightclub shootings.

However, the Old Testament is, at most, contradictory about nightclub shootings.  It also says "thou shalt not kill," coincidentally in Exodus 20:13.  That last bit is rather emphatic, and it contradicts the first.  It would be convenient if there was some way for Christians to resolve this sort of contradiction.  Conveniently, there is.  His name is Jesus.

Jesus did not say anything specific about nightclub shootings.  He predates both nightclubs and shootings.  Jesus is quite specific about killing those judged guilty of sexual sins, though.  Coming upon a convicted adultress about to be put to death, he said "he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." (John 8:7)  At first glance, that certainly rules me out, and a deeper look into the new testament reveals that I am not alone, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)  From this, we can conclude that Jesus forbids any man or woman from shooting up gay bars.

A sermon that praises a direct disobedience of Jesus, for lack of a better word, sucks.  Please do better, people.