I ask that no one shoot me after reading this.
I am not a Republican. I am not a Democrat. I am, in fact, barely an American, because I believe we who belong to Jesus are literally citizens of His Kingdom, and the affairs of this world—including America—are only important in how they affect His Kingdom.
I do not own a gun. I am not against owning guns—I took target practice with the often hated “Bushmaster” on New Year’s Day (well, I was in Texas). I have family who own these guns, and I have family who believe they should be outlawed. I do not have “an axe to grind” in this debate—except for my concern over how Christians are participating in it.
So let me propose a simple question: Why would a Christian be upset over an argument between people rooted in this world about whether or not they can have guns? Similarly: Why would a Christian rabidly defend the “right” to have a gun? Why would a Christian even consider the idea of using a gun to shoot someone in self-defense?
I hesitantly come to this conclusion: Because deep down we don’t trust Jesus. I admit I don’t. Jesus told us not to be violent with others. We are commanded to “turn the other cheek” if someone attacks us (Matthew 5:38-39; and to not “return evil for evil” (1 Peter 3:9). I struggle with this as I have struggled with no other issue in the 40 years I have been a citizen of His Kingdom.
You see I am by nature a violent man. In my youth I was quite good—frighteningly so—at violence. Not because of skill or conditioning, though I had that, but because I was willing to harm another person. I was ok with that—I even thought, under certain circumstances, it was a good idea.
What scares me is part of me still does.
Turn the other cheek: how can we believe Jesus meant this? The problem isn’t in exegesis (the study of the scriptural passage itself). It leads to only one conclusion—Jesus meant what he said literally. He taught it, he practiced it, his followers practiced it for centuries (it is interesting to note that historically, “Christians” did not begin to ignore this teaching until being “Christian” was acceptable to secular society). Yet this teaching is almost universally rejected by Christians today.
Why?
I think it is because we really do value this world—the things of this world—safety, property, etc., and we know from looking around us that Jesus isn’t necessarily invested in our having either property or safety in this world. So we take steps to protect them ourselves. We put our kids in martial (the word means “war”) arts classes, and buy guns for protection. When someone threatens our “rights” (odd that nowhere in scripture do we see any emphasis on our rights) we go ballistic and join in the outcry against these efforts. And we simply don’t talk about turning the other cheek.
I know this is hard to hear—even harder to live. I literally pray constantly that God will not put me to the test on this issue, because I know what I believe but I honestly don’t know what I would do.
So what’s the point? Just that we who belong to the Lord need to constantly be vigilant not to allow our values and actions to be determined or influenced by the world around us. Jesus didn’t leave us without guidance. But following that guidance–following Him–requires faith in Him, and a willingness to turn our back on the values of the world.
Great Post Pastor Randy. I love your statements: "I know what I believe but I honestly don’t know what I would do." and "We are commanded to “turn the other cheek” if someone attacks us (Matthew 5:38-39; and to not “return evil for evil” (1 Peter 3:9). I struggle with this as I have struggled with no other issue in the 40 years I have been a citizen of His Kingdom."
Well written. Bless you brother.
Naz.
Very interesting Post, Brother Randy, about Christians and weapons (guns). I appreciate your position. I guess I am leaning in toward your "camp" on this issue. Would you care to comment on God's leading the Israelites in war, and commanding them to kill men, women and babies? How do those circumstances differ from ours? Is it ok to defend yourself as a soldier in war, but not to defend one's own family at home? As I study the Bible, I see that, to briefly state my observation, the primary God-given role of men is to provide for their families and to protect them. The God-given role for women is primarily to nurture the family. If I am right, then men – even Christian men – must be prepared to protect their families. I would sincerely be interested in seeing your comment on this aspect.
Rick, thanks for the comments and questions. I don't know that I agree with the generalizations re: gender, but the question you ask about protecting others seems to be the question most people ask in response to my post. It is important to me that we draw a distinction between Biblical teaching and personal opinion–one has authority over any Christian's life, the other is just an opinion. The scriptures specifically address self-defense and retaliation–and tells us to turn the other cheek instead. I don't see anything that would support the supposition that men are given a protector role that includes physical violence "if necessary" (my quotes). On the other hand, I don't see any specific prohibition of this either (such as the "turn the other cheek" passage).
Like most people today, I find myself appalled at the genocide commanded by God in the Old Testament. I think I understand why He did, but my understanding is not necessary. God is God. He is the standard of righteousness, and I have learned that this "pot" can't judge the "potter". Now, how does that differ from our circumstances? First, and most important, God isn't doing the commanding in the American army. In fact, it isn't necessarily even someone who follows God who does the commanding. Second, the reasons we go to war and kill people certainly aren't the reasons God had for his people. His plan was always centered on the fulfillment of his plan of salvation through the Messiah. Everything that happened in the OT led to this. That certainly isn't true of any army today. Finally, God commanded His people–a nation chosen by Him for a specific place in history that would literally be crucial for the salvation of every person who comes to Him. No modern nation can claim this (many Americans' opinions not withstanding). So, is it ok for a person to defend himself as a soldier in war? I would ask first, why is that person a soldier in war? I can envision scenarios where a case could be made that it is "righteous" to go to war. However, I don't believe we can simply say that any soldier is automatically in God's will simply because he is serving his government. I believe Christians have a responsibility to their King first, and should make no commitment to a worldly government that might lead him to disobey his King.