Should Christians own weapons?

[howard]

Job 1:10 (KJV)
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

Listen to what satan say the Lord

He tells The Lord about the hedges around Job

we are suppose to have these hedges around us also

 

[Barabbas]

I did it on another forum and received over 5000 hits and a heated but edifying discussion

I expect the same here!

So basically this is a trolling attempt. Nice.

And still no scripture that forbids a Christian from owning nor carrying weapons. Not one.

 

[Barabbas]

Maybe one should read a commentary on the scriptures that are being bandied about in a poor attempt to make it seem un-Christian to possess, or carry a weapon.

Particularly those concerning the actions of Peter in the garden.

 

[howard]

So basically this is a trolling attempt. Nice.

And still no scripture that forbids a Christian from owning nor carrying weapons. Not one.

If that's the way you take it then oh well! How about looking at it as fellowshipping and discussing the word of God,

Will this do?
Psalm 146:3 (KJV)
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

 

[howard]

Maybe one should read a commentary on the scriptures that are being bandied about in a poor attempt to make it seem un-Christian to possess, or carry a weapon.

Particularly those concerning the actions of Peter in the garden.

Maybe we Christians should walk the way Jesus walked!

Jesus did not carry a weapon

 

[howard]

Ecclesiastes 9:18 (KJV)
Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

 

[howard]

Followers of Jesus do they need a weapon?

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (KJV)
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: [4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds [5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

 

[howard]

We read where wisdom is better than weapons of war so who needs a weapon?

How about getting some wisdom!

 

[howard]

The Lord created evil

Isaiah 45:6-7 (KJV)
That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord , and there is none else. [7] I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things .

Evil comes by the hand of The Lord

Amos 3:6 (KJV)
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it ?

Why do we need a weapon being a follower of Christ? If we are his followers why would evil come upon us? I it does will a weapon be needed?

 

[Barabbas]

Ai carumba.

Jesus was God...here on earth for a specific purpose. What weapon could he possibly carry that could do as much damage as his spoken word? If that isn't enough explanation, perhaps wisdom is something you should have instead of a weapon.:dirol:

Again, still no scriptural prohibition against Christians possessing, or carrying weapons. None.

Regardless of what kind torturous explanations one can conjure from a superficial reading into the scriptures one still cannot make a logical case against a Christian having weapons.

Lets look at reality shall we?

Christians in heathen lands suffering genocide on a daily basis, Egypt, Syria, Sudan, Mali, Algeria, Nigeria... did they "invite" evil into their homes, and businesses? Claiming we all have "hedges" around us, and we somehow live in little God powered protective bubbles makes a mockery of the scriptures, and their intent.

Reading into the scriptures ones personal bias also does no service to Christians.

Quoting Old Testament, fine, if one is counseling Orthodox Jews. However, even the Jews of that entire time period carried weapons.
Jews of Jesus's day also carried weapons. Even his apostles did.

There is no prohibition in the New Testament that says Christians can't possess, or carry weapons.

Bring a clear scripture (New Testament) speaking to the prohibition of weapons concerning Christians or put paid to this shabby attempt to use a poorly laid out "argument" to force Christians to a position that is unscriptural.

 

[B-A-C]

Maybe we Christians should walk the way Jesus walked!

Jesus did not carry a weapon

John 2:15 And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables;

 

[amadeus2]

It is a subject that Christians need to discuss.

And do we need to discuss it? Are not followers of Jesus to have weapons which are not made of steel to combat the enemy which attacks on the inside of a man rather than on the outside? Does any believer doubt that?

It sounds like you want to discuss it and you want others to be drawn in, but for what purpose? Is your purpose one which is likely to be edifying to a follower of the Lord?

 

[Rev T.S.Perkins]

ok heres my take on this ... when i first got saved as i said i was working in a pawn shop.i had to carry a 38 for mine and the stores protection ( it was required )...an old friend of mine that i spent several lost party nights with came in and recognised me. and was amazed in the change God had made in me .he didnt even know me at first .!so as we talked his question was this ..youre a christian and you carry a gun so would you shoot me if i robbed you..? i told him it would not be my wish .HOWEVER if youre living a life of crime and youre choice wile serving an unrightious path was to walk in to robb me .dont turn youre back on me im not sure if Gods justice would be exacted for youre actions ...I now work in a bad area of town at night and have faced many threats in doing so but I know i have big angels at my back this time and still beleive that if youre living a life of Godless behaver it may not be by my hand but Gods justice will find you out and be served..FOR JUSTICE IS THE LORDS.! if He uses my hand to accomplish that so be it..I dont have firearms in my house but you might get sprayed with wasp and hornet spray it has a 50 ft reach and will cause much pain im sure... so heres my answer i believe that guns bring more Guns and ive read where God stood aginst a whole army with out a gun but he did give david a slingshot..!..its our own descresion before God but His wish is we turn away warth with a kind word.......Rev

 

[brakelite]

Just a few thoughts. When Jesus said to turn the other cheek, He was I believe speaking soley of religious persecution. Out and out crime is a different kettle of fish altogether. I cannot accept that God wants His children to be doormats to be trodden under at will by criminals. Nor does He expect us to stand by and observe dispassionately as our loved ones are abuse or beaten. I believe defending others is worthy.

Someone suggested a commentary on this subject. So here is one from Barnes.

ROMANS 12:18. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, {p} live peaceably with all men.

Ver. 18. If it be possible. If it can be done. This expression implies that it could not always be done. Still it should be an object of desire; and we should endeavour to obtain it.

As much as lieth in you. This implies two things:

1. We are to do our utmost endeavours to preserve peace, and to appease the anger and malice of others.

2. We are not to begin or to originate a quarrel. So far as we are concerned, we are to seek peace. But then it does not always depend on us. Others may oppose and persecute us; they will hate religion, and may slander, revile, and otherwise injure us; or they may commence an assault on our persons or property. For their assaults we are not answerable; but we are answerable for our conduct towards them; and on no occasion are we to commence a warfare with them. It may not be possible to prevent their injuring and opposing us; but it is possible not to begin a contention with them; and when they have commenced a strife, to seek peace, and to evince a Christian spirit. This command doubtless extends to everything connected with strife; and means, that we are not to provoke them to controversy, or to prolong it. when it is commenced. See #Ps 34:14 Mt 5:9,39-41 Heb 12:14. If all Christians would follow this command, if they would never provoke to controversy, if they would injure no man by slander or by unfair dealing, if they would compel none to prosecute them in law by want of punctuality in payment of debts or honesty in business, if they would do nothing to irritate, or to prolong a controversy when it is commenced, it would put an end to no small part of the strife that exists in the world.


And remember, Jesus calls us to be peacemakers. For me, a ' Christian' soldier is an oxymoron, unless he, like some I know, are in the medical corps.

 

[Acebopata]

While where talking about the gun debate in america

One thing I've noticed was that many Christian in Americans praise the founding fathers for separating from England, but will curse anyone who dares to suggest that it might happen again. Now many of the people who fought in the American revolution where Bible believing christian, and many used there own guns whenever possible especially in the militia. It Seems very hypocritical to praise these people and then to say that it would be ungodly to break away from a corrupted america for the same reasons or even better reasons (Worse sins upon the people) and or not to own guns. In fact, I believe the founding fathers believed that the people might need to break away from a corrupted America at some point in the future, and they wanted the American people to be at least on a similar par to the government on guns. Saying that people don't need assault weapons is putting a lot of trust in an earthly government. (And note that America was never Gods perfect kingdom on earth, she's always had problems, and the solutions to following those problems was turning to God. However, even then, Sometimes God used Men through the means of weapons.)

Also, a sword was among the best weapon during the time of the apostles. Peter actually managed to cut off the ear of a roman solders, which would be no easy feat, especially for an un-militarized fisherman like Peter. Peter's sword would probably be the eqevielent of today's modified sub-machine guns or perhaps even more powerful weapons.

 

[revbrad]

I own guns because I like to hunt and shoot. I do not put my trust in my guns, I do not depend on them to protect me. However, that being said, if someone were to break into my house and try to kill or rape my wife I believe I would shoot them. I am the protector of my family and I believe God expects me to protect them.

Ecc. 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;

 

[Rev T.S.Perkins]

I'd like to share my current situation with this ..I have a Christian friend that I tell you by his fruit it is so ..! We have common friend that every time we cross paths at Dave's ( my Christian brother ) this man begins to bring up questions about God he knows I will answer to...now if you've read any of my posts you know I'm quick to pull the trigger for God so to speak ..I won't hold back and I try to speak simple truths..I won't answer him with religion like he's used to ..it drives the spirit in him Nuts...! And he get angry and leaves ...Dave and I have been praying for him I've seen him comes to the edge of tears at the love that God has for him and then change . To anger ..! This time it's getting unsettling I know he packs a gun he's made apoit to show me and brag about it ..Dave went to New York for two weeks ..he ask me and Karl as friends to tend his animals and house..me in the morning Karl at night ..Karl has made it appoint to call me the first two days for coffee at Dave's .. As we talked I ask him to let the dogs out for me Sunday morn due to my early church schedule.He flipped out on me yelling calling me a fin a hole sob ,, he yelle who do you think you are just because you have fin church ..my answer was a quiet no one special ..that put him over the top .and he tried to push me to physical confrontation .! He's packin ! I got God.! every time I've turned my back on him to walk away I listen for the klick..! If my pride took over I'd get my own gun and equalize this..I've done it before .i know we wrestle not against flesh and blood and Karl is under great conviction around me because I don't fit his image of a Christian and it scares what lives in him...that hateful abusive spirit knows its days are numbered and it lashing out .he even called my machine and very plainly told me its Fin unGodly because I won't talk to him or give him the chance to abuse me more..I've removed my self from contact due to his violent nature...I feel it's wisdom but my heart makes me want to face this down and break the chains that bind him in Jesus name..if a weapon were not involved I would....weapons held by possesed or satanic persons are spirit influenced and should be treated as such by us who know the truth of who our enemy is ....our battles are not carnal but of spirit nature and our weapons are prayer and the protection of God over us in times of threat...look at what Christ went through to save us without weapons..please pray for Karl's breakthrough and my protection ...during this time of his salvation ..Rev

 

[amadeus2]

When there is really a need, even a physical need, will not God provide?

"Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.

And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty." II Kings 1:9-10

Two times fifty soldiers were destroyed. The third time, as we may recall, the captain fearing God asked Elijah to spare the lives of himself and his fifty, and he did.

The weapons of God are spiritual first because the most needful battles are spiritual ones, but this does not mean that God cannot or will not ever intervene in the physical or carnal things.

"Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" Matt 26:52-53

Jesus made reference in verse 52, I believe, not to never picking up a sword (gun, knife, etc.), but rather to not making the use of a natural weapon our first choice when there is another way. In verse 53 he indicated that if force was needed against physical opposition, God had more than sufficient force available to undertake it.

Then again, we do not, or should not, decide when it OK to use a natural weapon and when it is not. Are we not to be led always by the Holy Ghost?

As cited by another on this thread already from Ecc 3:3, there is a time kill, but we had best be certain that the time that we kill, it is in God's time rather than in our own. Are we not to be led always by the Holy Ghost?

 

[Rev T.S.Perkins]

Amen ..well put

 

[Barabbas]

[h=3]Luke 3:14[/h]New American Standard Bible (NASB)

14 Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.”

So, if possessing, and carrying weapons are not prohibited of Christians, (since there is absolutely no scriptural prohibition) here is a perfect opportunity for a chance to forbid Christians from being in the military.

But what is the answer? Go, and be content with your wages. Notice at no time does he say, quit the military, wander around like a hippie blabbering about peace, love, and flowers.

As we see from Mosaic law one can defend ones home against intruders to the point of killing them. At no time in the New Testament is this concept revoked.

Christians are allowed to protect their families, the weak, and yes, even their country.

The scriptures that are tossed out regarding walking with the spirit, "Hedges", and others stating that God is with us are nice, and all...but...if they were true at all times then why would we be allowed to defend ourselves, and loved ones?
Why not stare gap-mouthed at the sky waiting for all the armies of angels to deliver us?

Because only someone who has no experience in this world would rely on, and by the way...test God that way.

Obviously God expects us to get off our backsides, and actually do something for ourselves now, and then.

It's pretty easy for Americans who are not (currently) experiencing rampaging mobs of Muslims tearing through their neighborhoods, destroying homes, and businesses, and slaughtering Christians (like say Libya, Egypt, Syria, Sudan, Mali etc...) to be righteous about not carrying weapons, or defending their families.

I notice how this aspect has not been addressed by the no-weapons brigade.



Just a note...Jesus didn't get coffee at Starbucks, drive a car, shop at Walmart, watch a football game, or work 70 hours a week trying to feed, house, and cloth his wife, and kids....according to the bizarre "logic" of some, these are things we ought not to be doing either. Since if the Christ didn't do it, we no do too.

Second note..when one is going to pronounce their special interpretation on scripture, "Thus says the LORD" they had best spend some time in real research using several bible commentaries, biblical hermeneutics, philosophy, and please for the love of Pete, use a bible that wasn't translated over 400 years ago with language no one on this planet speaks, with words that have changed their meanings, etc. This is painfully evident when the claim that God "created evil" verse gets jumped in. Thanks.

Peace out Brutha's....oh, and Sistah's too.:shade: