Kopp Disclosure
(John 3:19-21)
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Review: L.A. Cop:
Peacemaker in Blue by Bob Vernon
Dr. Robert R. Kopp
Pastor, First
Presbyterian Church, Belvidere, Illinois
Police Chaplain for
the Belvidere Police Department and Boone County Sheriff's Department
As a pastor for over
four decades, police chaplain since 1979 and for Belvidere and Boone County for
the past 16 years, and adjunct professor of homiletics for two seminaries that
has no relevance to this review, I've often opened my homilies at the official
swearing in and promotion of law enforcement officers by saying, "I've
been a Kopp all of my life."
Moretheless, it means I've developed discernments
as well as charismata for the personalities, preparations, professions
of faith, and prayers required for effective law enforcement; especially
concomitant to these challenging times.
So It's been a
privilege to read Chief Vernon's book.
Parenthetically, I was
also drawn to it for two other reasons: (1) John MacArthur's foreword
indicating a friendship and shared ministry with Bob; and (2) Three Sixteen
Publishing's role as publisher.
The quality and care
of anything published by TSP is unparalleled in my experience; and anything
that attracts the attention then affirmation of John MacArthur attracts my
attention and, without exception in my experience, affirmation.
If there is anyone
that understands the entire Reformed and evangelical motto for ministry - ecclesia
reformata, semper reformanda secundum verbum Dei - it is John. He is
the most trustworthy and faithful exegete, theologian, and homiletician that I
have ever read or heard. He loves Jesus by the book as enlightened by the
Holy Spirit who never contradicts Jesus by the book and is among the greatest
remnantal prophets of our generation. My only regret is I have never had
the privilege of sitting with him and studying under him.
So when I discovered
that John had written the forward, I knew I would praise God for Chief Vernon's
witness to our Lord and wisdom for women and men feeling called into law
enforcement along with veterans whose "peacemaking" would be founded
on Jesus, guided by Jesus, focused on Jesus, and filtered by Jesus with the
humbly prayerful goal to honor Him in all things at all times in all places with
all people.
I was not
disappointed.
Jesus was clear,
compelling, and conclusive about the character required of anyone in any
vocation seeking to honor and serve Him as a doulos slave - Thank you
John and TSP for this accurate translation in the LSB that emphasizes obedience
to Jesus upon inviting Him into the head, heart, and gut as Lord and Savior
with enthusiasm and without equivocation or exception! - when He counseled
disciples: "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be
shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16).
Simply, Chief Vernon
understands and communicates with compelling clarity the balance in leadership
that Jesus said is absolutely necessary for fidelity to the law tempered by
fairness and effectiveness. It requires being tough-minded yet
tenderhearted and tenderhearted yet tough-minded. It means, especially
for law enforcement officers in these increasingly lawless times when we are
pressed to distinguish righteousness from evil, there are wonderful people in
the community that can be trusted and there are predators that will hurt
citizens unless protected. Here's how Bob explained that balance as he
modeled Someone better for other officers: "Yet when I have yielded to His
will, my relationship with Jesus Christ has not only given me the resolve and
strength to stand firm, but has also given me the ability to cope and survive
in a world of unusual pressures and experiences" (118).
Noting the
illustrations and knowledge tempered by wisdom and submission to Jesus by the
book, the particular references to the nitty-gritty of trench-life, practical
counsel for rookies, and perspective and renewing for veterans means I hope
this book becomes required reading for anyone contemplating and praying about a
vocation in law enforcement along with those needing to step back and reflect
upon their continuing call.
While speaking from
his particular weltanschauung, Chief Vernon's closing confession is
among the most concise yet comprehensive recipes that I've read for anyone
seeking to honor God through vocation with Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 in
mind: "I've got to say that my personal relationship with God has worn
well. He's given me the strength I've needed to meet the anger,
frustration, fears and heartache I've experienced in fulfilling the demanding
role of peacemaker in blue" (153).
This will make an
especially wonderful gift for the women and men in your life called to law
enforcement.
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