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What does the Bible say about Guns?
Of course, the Bible does not expressly mention guns, since they had not been invented yet. However, since we know that the Bible covers all areas of life, it follows that the core topics that pertain as much to firearms as to any other form of defense are addressed. It is not a moral stretch of any kind to apply the same principals that govern the use of a sword to govern the use of a weapon with a longer reach.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Those of us who are Christians are called to delve into the entire Word of God and compare Scripture to itself. Always taking each verse as a part of the whole. No verse was meant to stand in a void, and Scripture- when fully understood- will always agree with all other parts of Scripture. The seeming discrepancies that we encounter upon first reading a passage will always appear to coincide with the rest of the Bible when we continue our studies in more depth. I have heard a number of verses construed to disparage self defense, when taken by themselves, but when we stay the course of our studies, we will invariably come back around to the truth found in Ecclesiastes:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 ¶To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
One oft overlooked verse that I take to heart and feel applies to the subject of self-defense is found in the book of I Timothy:Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
It stands to reason that if a man is expected to provide food and shelter for his family, he is also expected to provide for their defense. Most every pseudo-Biblical argument against firearms that I have encountered revolves essentially around the same premise; namely, that it is not our duty to provide for our own defense, since God is our Protector, and He is bigger than any enemy we might have. While that is true on the surface, we have always to take Scripture as a whole, and rather than use it to prove ourselves- we should use it to prove itself. The need is for us to mould our own lives after Scripture, rather than our interpretation of Scripture to justify our own decisions. We know that God is our true Provider, yet we cannot divorce that understanding from the plain truth in the verse above that it remains our task to provide food for our family. In providing us with the bodies, strength and guidance to employ ourselves productively, He is ultimately to thank for all that we have. Few Christians, I believe, would argue that point intelligently. Unfortunately, though, when the principle is applied to self defense, many of those same individuals would like to completely separate that revelation from the need for our family to be protected from those who would do us harm for their own evil motives. One is left to assume that this leap of logic is made as a result of a personal aversion to weapons on their part, since there is no part of the former argument that does not apply with equal clarity to the latter. For, if God were to magically shield us from attack whenever it presented itself, why would He not also magically stock our cupboards when we opened them each evening. I am not at all painting Him as uncaring or un-miraculous, on the contrary, I know Him and He is more attuned to our needs than we are ourselves. He has shown me time and time again that he does step in and provide for me when I have left myself open and unprepared. He has fed me when I was hungry and clothed me when I was naked. He does this, though, by His grace, and not because it is how He would naturally have it. Should I lay about all day, that His grace may abound by bringing food to my door, though I am able to work? Nay. Neither should I take no steps to prepare proper means of defense for my family, so that His grace may abound by miraculously averting disasters. The core realization to be had is that I can neither feed my family apart from Him or protect them apart from Him. I put one foot in front of the other by the strength He has chosen to bestow upon me for His good pleasure. I plant and water, but He provides the increase. It is thus so with food as with defense.
A verse that has always made a lot of sense to me is one where Jesus said he did not come to bring peace on Earth:
Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Yes, I know Jesus was speaking metaphorically in that sense. There is no 'sword of the Messiah' in any museum in the Middle East. However, the plain wording of the sentence cannot be avoided. The idea that Jesus came so that we can all just get along is not supported by Scripture. I could go into much more depth as to the many layers of meaning this verse holds, but I shall try to remain germane to the topic at hand. Suffice to say, this verse proves, if nothing else, that Jesus had no aversion to instruments of war. Were he the pacifist some would have you believe, he would hardly have chosen such an analogy.
Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
If you have researched this topic before, I am sure you were expecting this verse to be brought up, so here it is. I by no means think that Jesus was making a blanket statement for all of his followers across the ages to buy swords. Nor do I believe it reasonable to say, as many have, that He only instructed His men to do this so either 1) the world knew he could have physically resisted, but chose not to; or 2) he needed something physical in his associates' hands to imply that He was leading a rebellion, thereby fulfilling a prophecy that said He would be 'numbered among the transgressors.' Theologians could easily debate for quite some time as to the various meanings that could be attached to the verse above, but again I bring it up to make one point: if it was a sin to arm yourself, as some 'pacifistic Christians' would have you believe, Jesus certainly would not have required anyone with Him arm themselves at all. Why, if His message was one of complete submission to evil, would he have confused that by doing something that would strike the very tenets of that axiom? To me, in relation to the topic at hand, this verse shows that- at the very least- it is not anti-Scriptural for a follower of Christ to be armed.
I have more thoughts that I will add to this topic soon. In the meantime, I hope that I have given you enough to think about.
In His Service,
Here are some additional links regarding this subject:
The Christian Gun, Syd
The Sword in It's Proper Place, Gabe Suarez
Evolving Christian Attitudes Towards Personal and National Self-defense, Kopel
Ohio's ban on defending lives in places of worship: How did it get this bad?
Joshua-Imperative Christian Self-Defense Blog
Quotes for the Christian Gun Owner
The Beecher Bible and Rifle Church
Christians and Firearms
Should Christians Have Guns?
Should Christians Own Firearms?
Biblical Law and Self-Defense (In the Book of Exodus)
Padre Pistolas
A Christian Viet-Nam Vet Speaks Out
May Disciples of Jesus Christ Serve in the Armed Forces?
God and the M60 Machine Gun
The Cross and the Gun
Doctors for Sensible Gun Laws
Quotes for the Christian Gun Owner
Is Gun Control A Christian Issue?
Should Christians Shoot to Kill in Self-Defense?
The Story of Charl Van Wyk
Should Christians Have Guns?
A Sermon: Christians and Self Defense
Carrying A Gun in Church
The Religious Roots of the American Revolution
Christianity vs the 2nd Amendment
Discussion on "Loving Your Enemy" and Being a Christian Warrior
Christian Gun Control
Christian Gun Control Discussion
Church Security Teams Discussion
Should Christians Have Guns? (Peters)
Firing Line Discussion on Guns in Church
Firepower and Faith
Keep Your Guns, Christians
The Christian Warrior Forum
A Biblical View of Weapons and War
Christians and Guns, Stagnaro
Does God Believe in Gun Control?
Quotes for the Christian Gun Owner
Hamartiology and Gun Control, Sandlin
Self Defense or Turn the Other Cheek?
The Bible and Gun Control, Pratt
Should Christians Own Guns?
Christians and Firearms
Christian Guide to Small Arms
Christian Statesman-Right to Bear Arms
Christians Packing Guns
Christian Sixgunners
Christians and Firearms
Can A Christian Bear Arms?
Should Christians Own Firearms?
Pistol Packing Preachers
Should Christians Have Guns?
The Christian Case Against Gun Control
America's Christian Heritage, the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (Many quotes from leaders)
Religion and Self-Defense
Using A Gun to Defend God's People
Presbyterians for Gun Ownership
Historical Precedent for Christian Militia
Christian Guide to Small Arms
A Sermon About Arms and Self-Defense
The Meaning of "Thou Shalt Not Kill"
Rights Come From God, Not Government
What Does Scripture Say About Gun Control?
Biblical Law and Self-Defense
The Christian Deer Hunter Association
The Christian Case Against Gun Control
Quotes for the Christian Gun Owner
"Christian Soldier" Gun Shop
Grace Martial Arts Florida
Historical Precedent for Christian Militia
The Gun Totin' Parson from Texas
Gun Control vs Sin
A Christian View of Revenge
The Just Use of Force
Churches Which Forbid Carrying Weapons (Discussion)
