Gun Virgin: Christian Gun Toter

Gun Virgin is an ongoing series at TBA.  Christian Gun Toter is only the third article in the series that could easily reach 15-25 articles.  The point of the series is to follow me in my path to becoming a first time gun owner.  I will start including links at the beginning of each article so you can easily find past articles in the series.

1-Introduction:  A New Series for First Time Gun Buyers
2- Gun Virgin: Why do you Need a Gun?

Christian Gun Toter

It doesn’t come as a surprise that I would have to field questions regarding how carrying a firearm fits into my religious beliefs.  This comes even more expected with my recent redesign of the site and refocusing on Conservative Christian topics rather than strictly politics. TBA covers faith, firearms, and politics and I am not afraid to take on the topic of how owning and using a gun would fit into my Christian beliefs.

I’ll place a disclaimer on this article before you read any further.  My knowledge of the bible is below average for a Christian.  This article took a fair amount of research into the topic, which led me to several sites with far more qualified individuals.  I will provide you with those links as we go.  This does not mean I am not qualified to write an article like this.  Knowing the bible frontward and backward is not a prerequisite of being a faithful Christian.  In fact, in my opinion, the only prerequisite of being a faithful Christian is faith.

Let’s get started by discussing the typical “turn the other cheek argument.”  Since the majority of gun control arguments using this statement come from non-Christian’s, let me share with them the scripture from the book they don’t believe, yet tend to use against people like myself. 

Matthew 5:38-39
You have heard that is was said, An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.  But I tell you not to resist an evil person.  But whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also.

This scripture has absolutely no relevance to self defense.  Rather, it is referring to vengeance, in which case I believe what it has to say, word for word.  

If you break into my house and pull a gun, I will defend my family.  On the other hand, if you murder a family member while I am away, I have no right to take vengeance on that action.  I do not believe in the death penalty, nor do I believe in barbaric measures taken in other cultures like cutting off the hand of a thief.  We have the right to protect ourselves from further harm by placing a criminal in prison, but we do not have the right to take physical vengeance for their crime.  I’ll leave that judgment up to God.  

While researching the topic, I came across a second argument I may have overlooked otherwise.  As Larry Pratt put it in his article, What Does the Bible Say About Gun Control?, “Doesn’t having a gun imply a lack of trust that God will take care of us?”

Let me make something very clear.  A faithful Christian should have no fear of death, but not being afraid of death does not take away that person’s right and duty to provide defense for their loved ones.  Pratt makes reference to scripture in his article that makes a similar point.

Timothy 5:8
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

We can not expect God to provide for us without putting in work on our end.  Being a faithful Christian does not automatically give someone the right to success.  The scripture says, if you kick back and expect God to provide without working for it, you are “worse than an unbeliever.”

The third argument is yet another regular used against Christians.  “Thou shall not kill!”  Ohhhh, you got me there….or did you?

Commandment number six, taken from www.the-ten-commandments.org says, “Thou shall not MURDER.”  This brings us back to the vengeance vs. self defense argument.  There is a big difference between the words ‘kill’ and ‘murder.’  It’s quite clear to me, killing in the defense of a loved one or your own life is not murder.  I have no hesitation when I tell you, I could, without doubt, pull the trigger if you were to threaten my family and I do not believe it would make any difference in how God will judge me.

As far as actually owning a weapon for self defense goes, there are several stories in the bible where Jesus clearly does not condemn those around him for doing so.  In an article entitled Christian and Guns, author Carlos Stagnaro cites several of these scriptures including Luke 22:36 and Matthew 26:52-54 with the second creating some confusion without further examination.

Matthew 26:52-54
Put your sword in it’s place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.  Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?  How then could the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?

Many may read this the exact opposite as I do, but let me explain.  Jesus acknowledges Peter having a weapon (sword), but does not tell him to get rid of that weapon.  He simply tells him to put it away.  Jesus was upset that Peter has used the sword to defend him (Jesus) rather than using it as a form of self defense for himself.  Luke 22:36 is yet another acknowledgement of Jesus not only knowing those around may have a sword, but actually suggesting they (disciples) arm themselves.

We could go on an on with these scriptures for days, but in the end, I have found no scriptures telling us to not defend ourselves and the act of self defense is clearly separated from acts of vengeance.  Since I am not a biblical scholar by an means, I leave my decision up to my faith.  I have contemplated this topic for quite some time and have gone as far as to pray about this topic.  My faith tells me it is not only my right, but my duty to defend myself and my family.  While I do not ever wish to have to take the life of another, Christianity does not condemn me to sit back and and allow myself or those around me to be attacked. 

The questions are natural as Christian’s today are held to a much higher standard than others.  While I think the treatment of Christians by the media and Liberals is unfair, I would have it no other way.  Their unique rules for Christians, that often don’t apply to other religions, is an acknowledgement that they are threatened by Christianity.  Defending my family is a difficult task, but more difficult is living up to the standard set by claiming a Christian faith. 

For more great resources and reading on this topic, see the website Christian Gun Owner.
Suggested reading from the site…
The Armed Christian
Why I carry a concealed handgun
Like the logo says: Christian First,…..everything else after that

Read more at The Bitter Americans