Looters: them or us?

Many have watched the unfolding events in London, and across the UK, over the past week with astonishment. News stations and media coverage have been utterly astounded by the violent rioting and looting taking place across the UK in the last few days. How ought we to think about these events as Christians?

 Mike Ovey, the principal of Oak Hill College, London has written a perceptive and thought provoking comment on the recent riots and looting in London.

He makes four observations about the responses to the looters, that are quite revealing:

• There is a sense that the looters are profoundly "other".
• the vehemence of the responses and the strength of the blame game often seem to speak of real anger.
• The responses are not just anger, but also bewilderment and incredulity.
• Christians are not being looked to for answers.

He then goes on to show four themes that a Christian response needs to address:

• Wealth
• Envy
• Civil Disobedience
• Sin Doesn't Work

 The article is a very helpful response to all that has been happening in London over the past week and is well worth reading. You can read the full article by clicking here.

Adrian Warnock, who is a member of a church in Enfield (one of the areas in London hit by riots and looting), has also written some thoughts on what's been happening in London. Read this here.