Four weeks ago today, Quornelius Radford became famous, getting his name splashed across newspapers, magazines, and every media outlet. He is an automated logistics sergeant from Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Georgia, located approximately 41 miles southwest of Savannah.
“Radford was charged with two specifications of attempted premeditated murder, four specifications of attempted unpremeditated murder, one specification of domestic violence, three specifications of aggravated assault inflicting grievous bodily harm and three specifications of aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon in violation of Articles 80, 128 and 128b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice… The five soldiers were shot and wounded in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) area of the base, according to a social media post by the U.S. Army. Radford is also accused of shooting at, but not wounding, a sixth soldier.”1
At the time of this writing, the specific reason for the shooting is either unknown or has not been released. However, “one of the victims was the “intimate partner of the accused,” according to the Army Office of the Special Trial Counsel, which is why the charges against Radford include a specification of domestic violence.”2
Let me beat a soapbox for a moment. I fully support the 2nd Amendment. Guns are not the issue. Lack of training isn’t even the issue. As many have said, if guns kill people, then forks make us fat and pencils make mistakes. The issue has always been with the person using the gun, fork, or pencil. What makes the person do what they did? If the gun was removed, they would just find some other way to enact the violence.
There will be a host of people in the world who will claim “mental illness” is to blame. I’m not denouncing the fact that mental illness is a real thing. However, in many situations like this, it seems to be an internal rage that finally explodes.
Why are people so angry in our world? Why does it seem that the rage is growing to the point where it cannot be contained? The answer can be Biblically boiled down and explained by Romans 1:18-32. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (23) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (24) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts,
to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (25) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (26) For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (27) And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (28) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (32) Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
When people reject God and the His Lordship, they must have something to worship because we are created as worshipping beings. Without God, there must be another god that is worshipped. Whether it be self, nature, or some inanimate statue, those gods are colossal failures, disappointing all who worship them. Disappointment heaped upon disappointment causes people to lash out in anger. Couple that with the fact that the Lord “gave them up” to feel the full brunt of their emptiness without God and disaster is sure to happen.
Only God can temper the temper and contain the rage that builds in a person. Take to heart the words of Paul as he spoke to the church of Colosse.
“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth… (12) Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (13) Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. (14) And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. (15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Colossians 3:8, 12-15)
1https://www.foxnews.com/us/who-quornelius-radford-army-sergeant-accused-shooting-5-soldiers-fort-stewart-georgia
2https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fort-stewart-quornelius-radfords-charges-domestic-violence-attempted-murders/
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