It seems that in the wake of the Newtown, CT school shooting, everyone is chiming in on the gun thing. I have seen a number of very passionate and strongly worded posts in the last few of weeks both in favor of and against gun control. I've sen some very enlightening writing form both sides of the issue, and a of of biased, inflammatory writing from both sides as well. It looks like this is the next big dividing issue we are facing in America. A lot of Christians fall on either side of the debate. My study is not intended to be exhaustive of all arguments, but simply to answer the question, "Does the Bible have anything to say about guns?" Part one will deal with the government's role in using and regulating weapons according to Scripture. Part two will deal with the follower of Jesus in particular, and what the Bible has to tell that person about the use of weapons and violence.
Guns are not specifically mentioned in any of the Scriptures, not even the Apocrypha. According to Wikipedia, the first functional handgun was made in Pistoia Italy in 1540. But hate certainly existed in Jesus' time. People carried weapons and people killed others. Jesus pointed out that murder is merely acting out on hate. The two are the same to him (Matt 5:21-22) Guns did not create hate. Guns only speed up the rate at which we can act out that hate, and the volume of people our hate can effect.
In the Old Testament, there are countless examples of people using weapons in military campaigns. God provided military victory for his chosen people Israel that involved them killing their enemies. God commanded the Israelite to use warfare on several occasions. The Isrealites were commanded to be courageous in their fight against the Canaanites (Joshua 10:25). Clearly, killing another human being is not always wrong, and in some cases may be the just thing to do
David is an interesting study on the use of violence. David, the man after God's own heart, was commended for his faith in fighting Goliath and killing him (1 Sam 17, Heb 11:32). But the same David who killed Goliath without a thought to defend his nation and the honor of God, refused to kill Saul in order to save his own life and achieve his rightful place as king. David was also rewarded for his restraint, in letting God perform justice on David's behalf (1 Sam 24:19-20). Interesting.
David is an interesting study on the use of violence. David, the man after God's own heart, was commended for his faith in fighting Goliath and killing him (1 Sam 17, Heb 11:32). But the same David who killed Goliath without a thought to defend his nation and the honor of God, refused to kill Saul in order to save his own life and achieve his rightful place as king. David was also rewarded for his restraint, in letting God perform justice on David's behalf (1 Sam 24:19-20). Interesting.
The New Testament also says some things about the government and military. Some soldiers asked John the Baptist what they should do. John did not say give up soldiering because they might kill someone and that would be sin. He told them not to extort money or accuse people falsely (Luke 3:14), in other words, to be honest soldiers. He saw nothing inherently sinful about bearing the sword (or gun) of justice in the name of a government.
The New Testament also tells us that Government is established by God (Rom 13:1). This is easy to forget in a democracy. We feel we are somehow responsible for the government - that it is answerable to us. Perhaps it is on a large scale, but it is not answerable to you and me personally. The Bible tells us the opposite, that we are each answerable to the government. The primary role of government is to bring justice and peace, especially justice to those who are unable to defend themselves. This is done with the sword of punishment to those who would do wrong (Romans 13:4).
The New Testament also tells us that Government is established by God (Rom 13:1). This is easy to forget in a democracy. We feel we are somehow responsible for the government - that it is answerable to us. Perhaps it is on a large scale, but it is not answerable to you and me personally. The Bible tells us the opposite, that we are each answerable to the government. The primary role of government is to bring justice and peace, especially justice to those who are unable to defend themselves. This is done with the sword of punishment to those who would do wrong (Romans 13:4).
If it is the government's job to protect the innocent and promote peace and justice, what measures may it take to do so? The question moves from a moral issue of inalienable rights and government authority to one of expedience. God gave the government a job to do. How might the government best perform its God-given duty?
The Bible is full of principles and mandates, but is often surprisingly sparse on the details. It is up to those who govern to determine how to best bring justice and peace. They must decide what to do about weapons in the hands of their citizenry and determine what limits are reasonable. The Bible does not guarantee a freedom to carry weapons, nor does it oppose carrying them. There are a number of popular philosophies about weapons, based on various aspects of humanly wisdom. All of them have merit, but all are limited in their ability to combat the real issues of hate and violence.
Ultimately, a government can not make people stop hating and killing each other. A different kind of kingdom will put an end to violence and war. It is the members of that kingdom that I will try to address in the next installment.
In the meantime, I hope this moves dialog forward. I have left my personal feelings about guns out of this, because I want us to engage God through His Word, and see where He leads us. Did any of these scriptures move you? Did any of them clarify our own thoughts on the subject. Are there any other scriptues that you have thought of that shed light on the issues of guns and gun control?
The Bible is full of principles and mandates, but is often surprisingly sparse on the details. It is up to those who govern to determine how to best bring justice and peace. They must decide what to do about weapons in the hands of their citizenry and determine what limits are reasonable. The Bible does not guarantee a freedom to carry weapons, nor does it oppose carrying them. There are a number of popular philosophies about weapons, based on various aspects of humanly wisdom. All of them have merit, but all are limited in their ability to combat the real issues of hate and violence.
Ultimately, a government can not make people stop hating and killing each other. A different kind of kingdom will put an end to violence and war. It is the members of that kingdom that I will try to address in the next installment.
In the meantime, I hope this moves dialog forward. I have left my personal feelings about guns out of this, because I want us to engage God through His Word, and see where He leads us. Did any of these scriptures move you? Did any of them clarify our own thoughts on the subject. Are there any other scriptues that you have thought of that shed light on the issues of guns and gun control?
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