Sunday, February 16, 2014

Baptist pastor kills himself leaving questions

I hate stories like this. A Baptist pastor named Allen "Tommy" Rucker, of the First Baptist Church in Dunkerton, Iowa, killed himself recently. He shot himself behind his parsonage. His friends are left to wonder why. I'm left annoyed...

Rucker was described as a "godly man" who constantly read the bible. What does this mean? Why is it important to point out that he constantly read the bible? Does reading the bible make him godly or does it somehow make him less likely to suicide? Is suicide what godly men do? How do the two reconcile? Why is it that when something like this happens people point to the good like they are offsetting the bad? Suicide is horrible. Why would a “godly man" do this? Why would a man who constantly read the bible do this? I really want to know. Does anybody know? Will anybody ever offer an answer? 

I have no doubt Rucker was a good man.If he killed himself, I have no doubt he also suffered his own personal demons. I offer my condolences to his family and friends. My beef is with the reporting, or the lack of it.

Of course I risk blowback by posting. I’m sure to feel a little love soon. Like the comments posted by Elizabeth Hygema

Elizabeth Hygema posted:

Until you have walked in this man's shoe's. It is easy to talk the talk. Depression is very real and especially for someone who works in the ministry. The Devil often attacks the person who is doing the most for him. Until you have been there...Shut your mouth and have some respect for his family and his church. They are hurting right now

There is no avoiding this. I understand this. 

The story was updated with more information, but nothing meaningful regarding his death. 

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Ashley's avatar

Ashley · 585 weeks ago

I had the privledge of knowing him, he was a wonderful man. And had such a humble heart. His son is just like him. Person deamons dont only follow bad people. They can hurt anyone. Although i wish he could have reached out for help, im thankful he is no longer suffering the battles in this physical world. We used to watch U of K basketball in the living room, and in not sure which one of the rucker boys were the loudest. I have nothing negative to say about what is going on, and their family. They were so wonderful to me. And im heartbroken. No one knows why, and its not our job to figure out. As humans we dont have to know every detail. Its about his family and friends left behind we need to console and comfort.
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Vincent Manyweather's avatar

Vincent Manyweather · 585 weeks ago

I just met with 40 pastors last month about this matter. We need so much help! Please pray for us as we are going to have another meeting in the month of May reaching out more pastors for more information please contact is ....vmanyword@aol.com.
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pezz 's avatar

pezz · 585 weeks ago

I think you are both missing the point. The idea that he read the bible all the time is not an "offsetting good". The point is that it makes the mystery deeper. It makes it more confusing because we are told that reading the bible will help with your state of mind. King David found himself depressed several times

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