Reflections on the Dunblane Tragedy

Was the massacre of innocent schoolchildren in Scotland only an isolated incident, or is it an indicator of a much greater problem?

There is an important spiritual dimension to understand. Yet this element in this tragedy will go largely unreported.

Source: Photos.com

I will never forget March 13, 1996. I had been out most of the day and returned home around 10 p.m., just as the evening news was beginning. My wife and son were transfixed in front of the television. It was soon obvious why they wore looks of shock, horror and disbelief.

Over the next 30 minutes, I watched as the grim story unfolded. An unprecedented disaster had taken place that day in a quiet Scottish town, a town that I personally knew.

A local man had run amok with four handguns. He rampaged through the local school firing indiscriminately, then entered the gymnasium, where he systematically began slaughtering the first-grade children and their teachers. It was later revealed that more than 100 spent cartridge cases were found at the scene. The gunman killed or wounded 31 before turning a weapon on himself to take his own life.

That night it was impossible not to shed tears for delicate little lives snuffed out so brutally-as well as tears for the shattered lives of tortured parents, tears for the grieving families and tears for the devastated community.

The school's headmaster, Ron Taylor, commented memorably: "Evil visited us yesterday. We don't know why, we don't understand it, and I guess we never will." The sheer numbing horror of it all stunned a town, disgraced a shocked nation and dominated news headlines around the world.

Over the ensuing days, the facts behind the horror were painfully exposed and explored. Families and a quiet community known for its peace struggled to come to terms with their shattered world and overwhelming grief.

"Why?" became the dominant question. Why such violence? And why did this happen to so many utterly defenseless, innocent children? The parents, families, news media, government and nation all asked the same question. The stark message on one of hundreds of sprays of flowers asked simply, "Why?" Why did such an appalling evil take place in such a quiet, peaceful town?

Many issues were raised: control of firearms; school security; the man's twisted character and tortured psyche; his family upbringing; his psychological profile. Every effort will be made to understand why it happened and to learn lessons that can prevent similar tragedies from occurring. An official inquiry examined the event in painstaking detail.

Examining the spiritual dimension

Sadly, Dunblane is not the first, nor will it be the last, occasion when something snaps inside an inadequate, deranged mind and an explosion of violence rips apart multiple lives.

There is an important spiritual dimension to consider and understand in this tragedy. Yet this element will go largely unreported because it is so little comprehended.

Why did this happen? What is the spiritual dimension behind such evil? It all has to do with the nature of man and the forces that act upon us. This is not an attempt at some trite solution that ignores important sensitivities of this tragic situation. But so much flows from correctly understanding our nature: It is one more vitally important angle to take into account when we consider the underlying roots of this and similar disasters.

Dunblane caused many to ask where was God in all this. Did He care at all? Why didn't He prevent such carnage? To come to some understanding and comfort, let's look at the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ., a book that authoritatively provides a vital and little-appreciated perspective on human nature. It gives a view that contributes enormously to understanding this and every other human tragedy. It provides a commentary on much of humanity's dark history. Man's inhumanity to his fellowman is, regrettably, nothing new.

A choice with tragic consequences

The biblical perspective goes back to the very beginning. We were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
See All..., 27). God's intention was that humans would take on His own character-full of love and concern for others. His is a nature that hates evil, but does not hate mankind; a nature that does not hurt or harm innocent people.

Jesus Christ compared it to a childlike mind full of humility (Matthew 18:1-6 [1] At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
[2] And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
[3] And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
[4] Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
[5] And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
[6] But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

See All...), like that of those so unnecessarily slain. It is a mind with total concern and love for the well-being of children, ready to bless them in every way (Matthew 19:13-15 [13] Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
[14] But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
[15] And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

See All...). Put simply, it is a mind like that of Jesus Christ's, a Christlike mind.

In the first book of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ., God records that He placed a choice before Adam and Eve. It was symbolized by two literal trees in the Garden of EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16).. The Tree of Life represented God's mind-the way of obedience to God and His revealed way. This choice would lead to every good result and to eternal life. In contrast, the Tree of the KnowledgeThe broad range of information held by a person; an attribute of God (Romans 11:33); what we need to know about God (Hosea 4:6). of Good and Evil represented man's own way of self-reliance that would lead to every kind of evil and eventual death. It pictured rejection of God's way.

Adam and Eve, influenced and deceived by Satan, made the wrong choice. Their minds changed. The results were curses that have plagued humanity ever since. From that time forward, mankind has been cut off from the Tree of Life (Genesis 3:22-24 [22] And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
[23] Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16)., to till the ground from whence he was taken.
[24] So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16). Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

See All...) and generally denied access to the knowledge that would produce peace and happiness and lead to eternal life.

It is immensely difficult to appreciate the enormity of the impact of this ancient choice on our world at large, its history and its development. All of society-and each individual nature and mind-results from this seminal event in human history (Romans 5:12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
See All...). Human nature, and all of human society, reflects these curses. Here is the dark side of our nature that surfaces to produce evil under certain circumstances and opportunities.

Biblical description of human mind

The BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. reveals that the natural human mind, cut off from God and influenced by Satan, hates God. It is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can it be (Romans 8:7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
See All...). Further, it states that "there is a way that seems right to a man, but the end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
See All...; 16:25), and "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
See All...).

Look at this description of human nature: "Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Romans 3:15-18 [15] Their feet are swift to shed blood:
[16] Destruction and misery are in their ways:
[17] And the way of peace have they not known:
[18] There is no fear of God before their eyes.

See All...). Ask yourself what is the likely outcome when this type of mind-the natural human mind-is free to set its own course of action.

Our society-perpetuating the choices made by Adam and Eve-continues to reject God and His revealed way. When we avoid following God's ways, it should not surprise us that man's evil nature spills over in response to real or imagined stresses of every kind. Man's nature, under the sway of Satan, is evil. It is criminal, and it needs changing!

The spiritual perspective revealed in the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. shows that this evil and unrestrained mind, hostile to God, is continually acted upon by Satan the devil, the great adversary, who is god of this world (Ephesians 2:2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
See All..., 3; 2 Corinthians 4:4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
See All...). The result is an enormously powerful recipe for great evil.

One of Satan's names in Greek is Apollyon, which means destroyer (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 9:11And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
See All...). Unseen, unnoticed and unrecognized, he is our enemy and the true source of the problems that plague humanity (Ephesians 6:11-13 [11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

See All...).

Man's nature is none other than a reflection of the spiritual mind that dominates and controls it-Satan the devil. Influenced by him, all too often we try to resolve our problems and grievances through force, violence and destruction. Even the apostle Paul, a giant of a man for good, recognized the constant inner conflict caused by our human nature influenced by Satan (Romans 7:15-25 [15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
[16] If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
[17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
[18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
[19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
[20] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
[21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
[22] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
[23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
[24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
[25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

See All...).

God's plan to change man's nature

Thankfully, God has a plan to change human nature. That plan begins now for those God calls to see and acknowledge their sins-to repent, accept forgiveness through Jesus Christ's sacrifice and receive the indwelling Holy Spirit of God to transform the human mind. Such a changed mind is characterized by love, peace, gentleness and goodness (Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
See All..., 23). It is a sound mind full of love (2 Timothy 1:7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
See All...). This is tremendous good newsThe good news of God's everlasting kingdom to be established on earth after Christ's return and how we may be a part of that kingdom. This message was central to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The term is used about 100 times in the New Testament ..

But this good newsThe good news of God's everlasting kingdom to be established on earth after Christ's return and how we may be a part of that kingdom. This message was central to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The term is used about 100 times in the New Testament . comes too late to prevent the Dunblane killer or to save the 17 innocent lives he erased. It comes too late to comfort the bereaved parents and families. Nevertheless, Jesus Christ says: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
See All..., 29). Part of this promised rest reveals even more good newsThe good news of God's everlasting kingdom to be established on earth after Christ's return and how we may be a part of that kingdom. This message was central to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The term is used about 100 times in the New Testament . and looks forward to a time when this whole world will find true rest from all its evils.

There is coming a time when God will intervene in the affairs of humanity by sending Jesus Christ to reign over the whole earth. The ancient curse on mankind will be lifted, and tragedies like Dunblane will cease to occur. God's ways will be taught throughout the world, and children will be safe and secure both in learning and at play (Isaiah 11:6-9 [6] The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
[7] And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
[8] And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
[9] They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

See All...)

Humanity will be delivered from its violence, corruption and evil. Satan will no longer hold sway over human nature because he will be removed and human nature will be changed. The result will be peace and solutions for all problems, a time of perfect justice and truth. To all who have lost little ones through calamity and tragedy there is coming a time when those precious little lives will be restored to life again, to live their lives to the full with their parents present to love and guide them. Truly that rest will be glorious (Isaiah 11:10And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
See All...)

Continue to read The Good News to learn in greater detail how God says these things will come to pass. You will find comfort and great hope for a sure future in which you will see precious loved ones restored to life once more.