How should a Christian respond to the Bondi Beach shooting?

Posted on February 9, 2026 
Filed under Resources

From The Australian Church Record –

“Although the shooting of Jewish people at Bondi Beach occurred over a month ago, the questions it raises have not faded. Acts of targeted violence leave lasting wounds—within individuals, communities, and cities—and the way we respond to them continues to shape our shared life long after the headlines move on. For Christians, reflection after the immediacy has passed is often when deeper, more faithful responses can be formed. This article is written in that spirit.

By way of background, I am of Jewish descent. My mother accepted Jesus as the Messiah, as I have, and we are often described as Messianic Jews. This heritage shapes how I grieve acts of violence against Jewish people in our own city and how I reflect on them as a Christian pastor in this city who is Jewish.

The shooting of Jewish people at Bondi Beach confronts us with intentional evil, resulting in grief, and was designed to bring fear. As Christians, we must be careful not to respond as the world does. …”

– Andrew Bruce, Rector of St Barnabas’ Westmead, helps Christians think about what we can do, and how we can pray.