Christian Living

CHRISTIANS AND GUNS, A SYNOPSIS

by Charles (Chuck) Robey
01/06/16
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 Jesus said, "When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils."(Luke 11:21-22)

One of the most heated topics in today's politics, is the subject of "gun control".  Seems everyone is jumping on the band wagon, pro or con. And it all goes back to the law of the land, regardless  of what county in which  one resides.  So, here goes my commentary, from a Christian perspective, based solely on the United States Constitution, of  which I am a citizen.  

Is self defense Biblical  ? And how does the scripture address Christian self defense ?  Self defense has always been a normal reaction of mankind, in defending love ones. With the main purpose of any self defense maneuver being good logic. In other words, one should use good judgment and common sense, in evaluating any given situation, with respect to defending one's self. 

So, that raises the question, "Was it the intent of our Founding Fathers, to follow Biblical principles,  when drafting the U.S. Second Amendment" ? First, let us lay the ground work for the sake of argument.

The Second Amendment (Amendment II) to the United States Constitution is the part of the United States Bill of Rights that protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, along with the rest of the Bill of Rights. It states as follows:

 • The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states-A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

In 2008 and 2010, the Supreme Court issued two landmark decisions officially establishing this interpretation. In District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570 (2008), the Court ruled that it protects an individual’s right to possess a firearm, unconnected to service in a militia and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home within many longstanding prohibitions and restrictions on firearms possession listed by the Court as being consistent with the Second Amendment. In McDonald v. Chicago, 561 U.S. 3025 (2010), the Court ruled that the Second Amendment limits state and local governments to the same extent that it limits the federal government.)

Many essays have been written by our  nation`s foremost authorities, in support of the Second Amendment right of Christians to keep and bear arms. And the Second Amendment is just as applicable  today as it was when it was first penned. All free people, including Christians and non-Christians,  have the right to defend themselves, their families, communities and nation. You see the only difference between a Christian and a non-Christians is that a believer is simply a "sinner saved by grace" (Ephesians 2:8-9). We all are still human, with the same wants, needs and reaction to defending our family.

In 1789 it applied to the freedom to keep and bear arms just as it does today. The technological advances of the past two centuries do not make that principle obsolete, any more than computerized printing cancels the First Amendment.

We understand the demographics of the Bible times, along with the intent of the scriptures. The Bible was written with a mid-eastern flair, and literally  inspired by God  ( 2 Peter 1:21), and is just as applicable today in guiding our walk (2 Timothy 3:16). However, as times change, so do  life styles, but not Christian principles (Romans 1:16).   

We know the Bible does not specifically address the issue of gun control, since firearms like we use today were not manufactured in ancient times. However, the weapons of choice, such as the  swords, spears, bows and arrows, darts and slings were well-documented in scripture. These references given, when referring to the weapon of choice,  is  just as applicable as today's high tech weapons. 

The Bible history of Old Testament times was written for our learning and instruction (1 Cor 10:6) (Romans 15:4). Thus,  the scripture gives several positive situations of "bearing arms". The Israelites were expected to have their own personal weapons, if and when  summoned to arms when the nation confronted an enemy (1 Samuel 25:13). And David addressed the importance of training for war (Psalm 144:1). Not to mention his early encounter with the giant Goliath, in which his weapon of choice was a simple slingshot (1 Samuel 17:48-51) .   

In (Exodus 22:2-4), the scripture addresses  the Mosaic law's edict of a thief. If a thief was killed during a night time theft, the homeowner was not liable. However, if the thief broke in during the daytime, and the homeowner killed him, a murder had taken place with the home owner being guilty. This shows me the early scriptural Jewish laws did not necessarily support all usage of deadly force by individuals to defend property. It did, however, support the use of deadly force by individuals to protect the lives of family members.

In (Nehemiah 4:14-18), the LORD approved use of weapons to protect the workers who were rebuilding of the wall.

In (1 Samuel 13:19-22) ,  God’s people Israel were oppressed and conquered by the nation of the Philistines. What the Philistines thought was best for Israel, was sword (gun) control. 

Jesus Christ himself made and used weapons against evil men. This may sound incredible, even blasphemous to some, but it shouldn’t for the story is right there in the Bible (John 2:14-15). 

One of the strongest Biblical proofs of self defense is in (Luke 22:36,38 ),  where Jesus instructed his followers to sell some of their cloths and buy a sword, when they indicated they only had two swords among the twelve of them. This instruction was given, as Jesus was about to send His followers out into the evil world to spread the gospel.

Jesus not only upheld His disciples right to carry a weapon, but also held them responsible for its use, as when Peter cut off the ear of the soldier who had come to take Jesus away (Matthew 26:47-52). In doing so, Jesus also warned that those using a

Moving forward, what does  our secular leaders say about Christians and self defense.

According to conservative leader and Wall Builders founder David Barton , the original intent of the Founding Fathers when writing the Second Amendment was to guarantee citizens "the biblical right of self-defense ."

Richard Henry Lee (1732–1794), a signer of the Declaration of Independence who helped frame the Second Amendment in the First Congress, wrote, "... to preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them..."

Thomas Jefferson said, "No free man shall be debarred the use of arms."Patrick Henry said, "The great object is, that every man be armed."Richard Henry Lee wrote that, "to preserve liberty it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms." Thomas Paine noted, " Arms   discourage and keep the invader and the plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property."And, Samuel Adams warned that: "The said Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press, or the rights of conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms."

You see, this country did not come to its birth because a group of taxed patriots dumped British tea in Boston Harbor. It was born because a handful of colonists resisted the attempt of the mother country to impose gun control on Massachusetts. On the morning April 19, 1775, a handful of people who understood and appreciated freedom risked life and limb to oppose the confiscation of their weapons. Their "shot heard ‘round the world" began a war of defense that became our War for Independence. What they believed and why they were willing to die for their beliefs was later summarized for us in the second amendment to our Constitution.

In conclusion, we Christian are subject to abiding by the same laws as are the unsaved. Nonetheless, we all have certain inalienable rights, under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, to protect ourselves and our family against aggression. It was never the intent of Christianity to give up or die by means of an evil sword. So, as by law, we all do have the absolute right of self defense.

We all face difficult challengers daily, whether living for Christ Jesus (James 1:2-4) or yielding to the trickery of Satan's influence (Ephesians 6:12), which only leaves the streets and our safety in the hands of the criminals of evil direction. So, what do you think ? What is your choice  (Philippians 1:21) ? We must also remember, however, regardless of one's spiritual standing, there is no Biblical or Scriptural basis for unjustified or personal revenge, hatred or unjust political persuasion (Psalm 27:11-13). It's all about living a Godly life, regardless of the circumstances(Psalm 9:1-2).

Author's Post Script

The government does have certain lawful rights, to which we owe our civil authority, our respect and the appropriate obedience. But this obedience is limited to what belongs to God  (Acts 5:29 ). Contrary to some modern day thinking, the government is not God. Only God is God ( Isaiah 45:11) , and that makes the state subordinated and accountable only to the living God. Thus, government is accountable to God as to its treatment of mankind.

And this decree has not changed, throughout history (Hebrews 13:8).  Why then, would this same dictate not apply to the laws of our land including the Second Amendment" to the U.S. Constitution?

Jesus often taught that all citizens, Christians and non-Christians alike, should obey the law of the land. In (Matthew 22:21) Jesus sets the framework of how we Christians should think about Christianity and the state ( government) even today.

I understand  the Christian community may be frustrated over the complete issue of "gun control". We are not privileged to know God's sovereign plans for our lives. God sometime uses good and evil or believers and unbelievers  to effect His divine will or purpose, as He has an eternal purpose for all aspects of our lives. He may just be using this particular " gun control"  circumstance to band Christians together (Galatians 5:13) , or maybe so that Christians may see this as an opportunity to witnesses of God's final eternal plans for this age (Isaiah 55:11) .

You see, this type government action may just be playing into the “determined will” of God, which includes His unchangeable plans for the world. As the sovereign ruler, He is in total control— no government rises to power, or no government laws be enforced unless He allows it (1 Chronicles 29:11). He is determined to carry out the plan that He developed long before creation. (Acts 15: 18 )  Consequently, we should  pray that this "gun control" crisis be concluded for the betterment of both believers (Isaiah 30:21) and nonbelievers  ( 2 Peter 2:10), as well. So pray, believers, pray (Psalm 86:8-13).

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