RELIGIOUS VALUES REDEEM A CRISIS

When a heavily-armed non-student began shooting at Seattle Pacific University, he planned to kill as many people as possible, but heroic actions by a 22-year-old engineering student limited the grisly toll to one dead. Jon Meis interrupted the shooter when he was reloading his shotgun, subduing him with only pepper spray and athleticism and, with other students, holding him till police arrived. In an eloquent statement Meis said: “When I came face to face with the attacker, God gave me the eyes to see that he was not a faceless monster, but a very sad and troubled young man… I truly desire that he will find the grace of God and the forgiveness of our community.” A professor at a nearby secular university suggested that his campus, lacking SPU’s religious values, would have been unlikely to display comparably courageous activism.
Comments (5)
Leave a commentWe need more people to help recognize and help troubled men before they fall off the deep end. Faith in God can help us view people differently. What if the gunman had been a student and felt the love of God through other students…could have helped treat the negative thoughts in the gunman before acting out the rage.
As a friend of the family, (Jon grew up with my son), I can say that Jon is every bit an honorable young man as appears. I have great hope knowing that there are many outstanding young people from this next generation. There is much good in the world.
Remember we are at war. It is a battle of spiritual wickedness in high places, being played out in us and through us.
Love never fails.
Way to demonstrate that love Jon!
What professor at what secular college said that? Shoddy reporting.
Blessed are the peace makers.