The root of the problem
17 August 2011
Commentators are advising that the response to the English city riots must get to the root of the problem.
However, what is the root? Most politicians will admit that the root of the problem goes further than the rioters, but how far?
With a selective focus, how can we get at the root? We may address some causes of rioting, but if we will not broaden the scope to identify the root of mankind’s sinfulness, then we will only address secondary causes. Even David Cameron’s Broken Society has only a limited scope – it still has the ‘us and them’ mentality in it, and assumes that ‘we’ are all right, and the problem is with ‘them’.
The root of the solution
Corruption is worldwide and needs a worldwide solution. Anna Hazare, described as a modern Gandhi, is fighting corruption in India, where high profile corruption scandals mirror what is happening in the UK. Why does the world’s media not consider Jesus Christ, more influential than Gandhi or Martin Luther King, who were inspired by Tolstoy, who was inspired by the teaching of Jesus Christ? Is this not ‘getting at the root’ of the solution?
Scripture gives us the root of the problem. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” 16,000 policeman on the streets of London stopped the riots after four nights, but they didn’t change hearts. The Gospel of Christ goes to the root of the solution and changes hearts.
