London-based blogger Adrian Warnock shares his perspective on the troubling events in the UK. More details of the emerging situation and further Christian responses to these events are available on http://adrianwarnock.com.
We have seen inner-city riots before. As these events began they initially seemed to be following a similar pattern. The trigger was a fatal shooting by police during an arrest. To understand why such an event could trigger a riot, it is important to understand two things. First, in the UK regular police do not carry guns, and as a result deaths by police shooting is very uncommon here. Such deaths by their unusual nature often make the national news. Second, the death happened in Tottenham, an area of London in which many youths feel angry with the police. A peaceful vigil outside the local police station then triggered a violent reaction and rioting.
The first night of riots was localized in Tottenham but rather extreme in its nature. The devastation—the like of which some are saying has not been seen since World War II—has shocked the nation. But the events since then have angered and upset us even more. In an unprecedented manner disorder spread the following day, initially to nearby Enfield, where the church I attend is based, then to other parts of London and to other cities in the nation.
The disturbances have tended to be caused by groups of 20 to 200 youths rather than mass mobs, making policing more challenging. There appears to be no political or racial motivation; instead, wanton looting has been the characteristic. Shops are broken into, robbed, and in some cases burnt to the ground. In many cases shop owners will have seen their livelihoods built up over decades disappear.
Different Hope
How are Christians responding? There is a strong call to prayer. But as Oliver Cromwell used to say to his troops, we must trust in God and keep our gunpowder dry. Many have been reaching out to offer help with clear-up operations. This is also a time to reach out with compassion to neighbors who may be very worried at this time. It is also an opportunity to reach out to local officials and for communities to rally together.
Our nation has sought to marginalize the church. In these troubled days, doors are opening up for the gospel in word and deed, and there is a renewed openness for the voice of the church to be heard. In addition to obviously praying for peace, please pray that many churches will use the increased openness we are seeing to forge healthy relationships with local government and to care for those around us. Many people are feeling shaken by the way a tiny minority of people are behaving in our usually peaceful nation. The difference Christian hope makes at a time like this is palpable. May many reach out to God at this time and that Christians will rightly represent Jesus to our nation.
Is there enough evidence for us to believe the Gospels?
In an age of faith deconstruction and skepticism about the Bible’s authority, it’s common to hear claims that the Gospels are unreliable propaganda. And if the Gospels are shown to be historically unreliable, the whole foundation of Christianity begins to crumble.
