These texts certainly do not exhaust the passages that may speak to the challenges of gun violence, public violence, and mass shootings. These are only a few of the passages that may be instructive in study, preaching, and reflection on the epidemic of gun violence and the challenges we face in preventing it.
OLD TESTAMENT
Genesis 1:27 - We are created in the image of God
Exodus 20:13 - Thou shall not kill
Leviticus 19 - God’s shalom to reign in all aspects of life
Deuteronomy 21:1-9 - Take Responsibility for a murder
Deuteronomy 30:11; 19-20 - Choose life that you may live
Isaiah 2:3-4 - Beat swords into plowshares
Isaiah 9:5-7 - Unto us a child is born
Isaiah 11:1-9 - A vision of peace
Isaiah 30:9 - Those who spurn God’s call to righteousness
Isaiah 40: 1-11 - Comfort for God’s people
Isaiah 58:12 - Being a repairer of the breach
Jeremiah 29: 1 - Seek the Welfare of the City
Zechariah 8:1 - Zechariah’s vision of New Jerusalem
NEW TESTAMENT
Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers
Matthew 5:13 - You are the salt of the earth, light of world
Matthew 6:10 - Thy Kingdom Come on earth • Matthew 19:19 - Love your neighbor as yourself
Matthew 26:52 - Those who live by the sword die by it
Luke 10:25-28 - Thinking is important The Great commandment
Luke 22:47-53 - Jesus and Violence
I Corinthians 13 - Greatest of these is love
II Corinthians 5:16 - God gave us the ministry of reconciliation
Galatians 6:7-10 - Don’t lose heart
Ephesians 6:10 - Wrestling against a gigantic evil
Philippians 2:1 - The Mind of Christ
Revelation 5:9-13 - The victor over evil is Lamb who was slain
Revelation 11:15 - Kingdoms of world become kingdoms of Christ
Revelation 19:6 - God’s certain victory over evil
This list was compiled by the PC(USA) and is shared with permission.