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Botham Jean & Amber Guyer |
convicted officer was a display of mercy and forgiveness in his closing statement at the jury trial. The Hon.Tammy Kemp, the African-American judge, hugged Guyer and gave her a bible. Joshua Brown, the main witness, was shot and killed almost immediately after the sentencing. All of this has sparked great public CONTROVERSY – disagreement, typically when prolonged, public, and heated. On social media and in-person forums, people are wrangling over their thoughts and feelings.
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statements started a maelstrom of controversy with Christians about forgiveness, justice, and mercy. How could he forgive her? Why did he have to hug her? How could the judge hug her? How could Brandt state he didn’t want her to go to jail? Some pastors were furious, even though the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about forgiving even the most undeserving, which makes Brandt Jean’s words and actions truly remarkable. If we could not imagine ourselves being that full of Christ’s Spirit, we’d still have to believe that it was right…AND…Jean’s mother, Allison’s calls for justice and the end of corruption are also right. These are complexities Christ-followers must master.
