Due to the recent, unthinkable, tragedy that happened on December 14, 2012, in Newtown, Connecticut at the Sandy Hook Elementary School, the topic of Gun Control has been a hot issue on the political stage. Our President, on January 16th, signed 23 executive actions pertaining to his new anti-gun violence plan. This action has stirred up even further debate on the topic - some supporting this move, and some opposing it.
I live in a rural, mountain, area where many like to hunt, so most of the people I've spoken to are opposed to any kind of ban on guns.
On this blog I will not side on either political side of this issue of course, but due to this controversy, I wondered what insight the bible could offer us about it. Of course guns did not exist in biblical times, but I figured the bible must say something that could apply to this.
Biblical weapons consisted of swords, arrows, spears, and other more primitive types of weaponry. The bible may not speak of "gun control" in specific, but it does speak of warfare, and using weapons.
Mark 13:7 says,
But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.James 4:1 says,
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?Living in a fallen world, we will have wars, and weapons (in modern times guns) will be used to wage these wars. Just as in biblical days, today we also must use weapons for our own personal defense to protect of from those that would do us or our family harm. There were criminals in biblical times just as there are now. (Luke 10:30)
The real question for the Christian would be, can we defend ourselves with lethal force and not sin in doing so? I've spoken to Christians (and maybe this is also your view), that have said they could not stand the thought of taking another person's life, so they do not believe in owning a gun. I've also spoken to some who have stated that they are being good stewards of their family by defending them, so they therefore own a gun in case of such a time. I've even met some that have gone as far as to mix into their viewpoint their second amendment rights as an American, and that they are obeying the law of the land - which is biblical too. (Romans 13)
Luke 22:35-38 says,
35 And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.” 36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. 37 For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’For the things concerning Me have an end.” 38 So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”In the above passage we see that during the preparations for the disciples to be sent out, that they also took two swords. These, some would argue could have been used for hunting game, but a sword would have been an unconventional means of hunting. These swords were obviously meant to be used as a means of protection from anyone that would attempt to do them harm. The thing that can't go unnoticed here is that Jesus seemed to be okay with this, saying that two swords would be enough.
Romans 13:1-7 says,
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.This passage tells us a few important things about how a Christian should act, being a citizen of an earthly government, as well as a citizen of a Heavenly kingdom. Our earthly government has been given their authority by God. As a Christian we are to give the greater allegiance to God, and if this means being persecuted by our earthly government, then that is our price to pay for our allegiance, and this obedience to God will be rewarded.
God has also placed governments in place as a means of having an earthly judgment in place. There are many who oppose capital punishment, but according to Romans 13:4, God has given this power to the governing authority as well, even calling the government "God's minister" and "an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil." If this death penalty were to involve a firing squad using guns then according to this passage above one could even say they were God's guns being used in a sense, being the judgment was also authorized by God. We do know from various other places in the bible that the angels themselves were armed with swords.
What we also must accept from Romans 13 is that we are to be obedient to the laws of our governing authority. Currently it is legal for us to own guns, but if a law were ever passed to ban all guns, then we as Christians should likewise be obedient to that if were are to be obedient to God, who ordained and appointed that government over us.
Matthew 26:52 says,
But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.We see at this time in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was being placed under arrest that He did not agree with the use of lethal force as a means of defense for Himself. This seems at first to be in conflict with the Luke 22 passage where He was okay with His disciples having two swords. Of course Jesus also knew that His arrest had to happen if He were to die for the sins of mankind. Still Him saying, "all who take the sword will perish by the sword" seems to be a rebuke for using lethal force, but is this what He meant?
Jesus chose to be submissive at the time of His arrest, and Peter attacked the men taking Jesus. This action was in direct contrast to what Jesus was doing, and just as Jesus had to do in times before, He had to correct Peter for his impulsive actions. There is a time to make war, and there is a time to be at peace according to Ecclesiastes 3:8. Jesus knew this was not the time to be defended, but in order to fulfill scripture, He would be submissive and go to drink the cup that His Father had handed Him, to be the Lamb without blemish that would be sacrificed for our sins.
During Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, He said, "Blessed are the peacemakers" and some would argue that this would be a position of anti-gun position in our modern times. Sometimes though it takes a show of force to maintain peace in a country. Many people have even called a gun a "peacemaker" making that a nickname for a gun. They may not be too far from the truth in doing so.
If our law enforcement officers had no guns to protect our communities with, then this would empower the criminals. If capital punishment was not permitted in our government then this would also empower the criminal. Likewise, if a criminal were to have knowledge of both an armed household, and an unarmed household - which house do you suppose he would be more likely to break into? In a sense guns (or any lethal force) would be a means of keeping peace just because of their presence.
The bible takes no position on the "Gun Control" issue at point blank range (pun intended), but it does seem to leave it up to the Christian as a matter of personal conviction. If you were a violent person, had a problem with anger, or a criminal past before becoming Born Again, then perhaps it would not be a wise decision to carry a handgun and give the devil any opportunity to tempt you into using it carelessly in a moment of rage. In hindsight maybe Peter, in light of his personality, should have not been the one carrying the sword, right? Of course Jesus did have His hands full dealing with these guys from what I've read.
As a matter of my own personal conviction I see nothing wrong myself with owning a handgun as a means of good stewardship in protection for me and my family. As of now it is not illegal according to the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of American. Should this law change, whether I like it or not, then I would have to comply with the new law. Since the bible takes no direct stance on this issue and leaves it up to my personal convictions as a Christian, I cannot say that my Christian rights would be violated by this earthly government new law, were it set in place. I would therefore comply with the new law, but not like it personally.
Also according to my belief in scripture, a gun or any other weapon of lethal force is not the problem ultimately. The problem is that we are a sinful people, and we are in desperate need of Jesus.
