Many
Christians question whether or not the Bible allows the carrying of a
concealed weapon. They usually bring up many excuses which they
consider to be strong arguments against guns.
1.
Shouldn’t we trust
God to protect us? Yes, we
should. Prayer to keep us
safe should be our first line of defense.
However, God also gave us the ability to think and reason.
Recognizing that we live in a dangerous world, we should take
appropriate steps to protect ourselves.
The apostles did so.
At the Last Supper, it is interesting to note that at least two of the
apostles were carrying swords (Luke 22:38).
Swords were the main weapon of Jesus time.
Jesus apparently allowed them to be carried for self defense.
Then, just as now, there was a criminal element intent on harming
people. Jesus never told
the apostles not to pack weapons.
Even in one of Christianity’s most sacred moments (the Last
Supper), weapons were present.
2.
Thou Shall Not Kill.
This comes from the Ten Commandments.
The only version of the Bible to translate it as the word “kill”
is the King James. All
modern translations use the correct word “murder.”
There is a clear distinction between these two words.
It is clear that we should not murder.
However, God allows for His people to kill if it is justified.
In fact, God directed Israel to send armies into battle many
times, and kill their opponents.
If the commandment read “thou shall not kill,” then God commanded
his people to violate His own commandment many times.
Since we know this cannot be, then it must be understood as
“murder.” Concerning
concealed carry, we shoot in order to ‘eliminate the threat,’ not to
kill, although sometimes this may be the outcome.
3.
“We are supposed to
‘turn the other cheek.’” If
we are being persecuted for our faith, this statement is absolutely
true. However, if we are
being car-jacked, or robbed at gunpoint, this is violent crime.
If your family is in danger, and your son is shot, are you
supposed to say, “there’s my daughter, shoot her too”?
Of course not. On
the contrary, just like the apostles, packing a weapon to protect your
family from criminals is both prudent and Scriptural.
4.
“The police will
protect me.” Before you
even begin dialing 911 on your cell phone, you may be shot.
When a gun is present, seconds count.
Unfortunately, the police are minutes away.
They will arrive after the crime is committed.
Last year, a concealed carry person shot a bad guy during an
attempted robbery. The
ambulance arrived in about five minutes.
The police finally showed up 45 minutes later.
If he had not been carrying a gun, he may have been shot, or even
killed.
In reality, there are no good Christian arguments against carrying a concealed weapon. During Biblical times, there was a criminal element who sought to harm law-abiding citizens. Jesus did not forbid his disciples from carrying the weapon of their day (swords). In fact, even Jesus took precautions. In John 2:23-25, we read,
“During the time he was in Jerusalem, those days of the Passover Feast, many people noticed the signs he was displaying and, seeing they pointed straight to God, entrusted their lives to him. But Jesus didn't entrust his life to them. He knew them inside and out, knew how untrustworthy they were. He didn't need any help in seeing right through them.”
Sure, Jesus could
have defended himself, but he took precautions to avoid bad situations.
When people conceal carry, the first line of defense is avoidance
of the situation, just like Jesus did.
If avoidance is not enough, it is prudent to be prepared by
carrying a weapon.
In the United States, we have the right, through the Second Amendment, to arm ourselves for our protection. Christians generally believe that the Constitution was written by men of God, under the guidance of their Christian beliefs. Given the dangerous world we live in, the Christian should seriously consider exercising their God-given right to bear arms. In fact, to not arm yourself for self-defense could be a sin. 1 Timothy 5:8 says,
"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
Providing food, clothing, and shelter for
your family is great, but to turn around and refuse to provide a proper
defense against criminals is also failure to provide for your family.
If Jesus allowed his disciples to be armed for protection, so can
modern day Christians be armed.