Should Christians Own a Gun?

You do realize that the Israelites had an army, which God was fine with, and they had the offensive and defensive weapons of the day? They had the bow and arrow, the sword and dagger, spear, lance, javelin, and dart, which they used to KILL, SLAUGHTER other people to protect the nation. You do realize that Israelites had these weapons for personal protection as well, not to mention to hunt for food (bow and arrow and javelin). The early Christians had weapons, like swords and daggers, for personal protection as well. And the Christians hunted for food with weapons. God’s moral values do not change over time, just because humanity’s moral values change. If homosexuality in 1800 BCE was wrong based on God’s moral standards, in the first century was wrong, it is wrong today. If God’s people, all through biblical times, were permitted to defend themselves with the weapons of the day; then, they can today as well, even if the weapons have been improved upon.

One Website Rightly Observes

Due to the growing level of violence in our world and the extolment of peace in Scripture, there is much debate among Christians regarding whether it is appropriate for a Christian to own weapons. However, a comprehensive look at the Bible offers insight regarding historic practices that inform this issue today.

We have the example of the apostles, who owned weapons. On the night Jesus was betrayed, He asked His followers to bring swords. They had two, which Jesus claimed was enough (Luke 22:37-39). As Jesus was being arrested, Peter sliced off the ear of one of the servants of the high priest (John 18:10). Jesus healed the man instantly (Luke 22:51) and commanded Peter to put away his weapon (John 18:11). Peter’s ownership of a sword was not condemned, only his particular use of it.

On another occasion, soldiers came to be baptized by John the Baptist. When asked what to do to live for God, John told them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages” (Luke 3:14). John stopped short of telling them to lay down their weapons.

And then there is David, who praised God “who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle” (Psalm 144:1). The Old Testament contains many other examples of godly men who owned and used weapons, usually in the context of warfare.

The Bible never forbids a Christian from owning a weapon, but it does offer some principles to consider. First, Christians are called to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:10). A Christian considering the purchase of a weapon should prayerfully consider if doing so would aid in peace-making.

Second, a Christian should only own a weapon for a purpose that would honor God (1 Corinthians 10:23). Using a weapon for hunting, military or law enforcement duty, or self-defense may honor God. Still, a person should reflect on his or her motives for owning a particular weapon.

Third, a Christian should abide by local laws, including gun laws. Romans 13 is clear that governing authorities are from God and are to be obeyed. Further, we are to pray on behalf of governing leaders who oversee our communities and nation (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Ultimately, there is nothing sinful about owning a gun or other weapon. A weapon can be useful and even necessary in some contexts; at the same time, Christians should carefully consider their motive and purpose in owning a weapon, and local ordinances should be followed.[1]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a gun for protection or hunting, and God nor his word condemns such practices. We do not live in a paradise earth with 20 billion perfect humans as God had originally intended. We live in Satan’s world with many billions alienated from God, who are mentally bent toward evil with a treacherous heart. So, I wish liberal Christians would stop trying to impose the coming world of perfect humans on this world of imperfect humans.

I have worked in law enforcement. Do you realize how many people are against the death penalty until they are a victim of a heinous crime? Do you realize how many are against guns until they are victims of a horrific crime that could have been prevented with one gun? I give you two true stories.

FIRST: A liberal family against guns and the death penalty was home one evening when an intruder broke in and put the whole family in the living room. He had each member tie up other members until he tied up the last member of the family. He then raped the two daughters in front of the parents. After he was done, he stabbed them both to death in front of the parents. He then raped the wife in front of the husband and then stabbed her to death. He then stabbed the father and set the house on fire to cover his crime. The father, barely alive, managed to crawl out of the house. He is now pro-gun and pro-death penalty.

SECOND: A 60 something-year-old black woman was home in bed when four young adult males broke through her windows to rob her. She had a gun in her nightstand and opened fire on them, killing three and hitting the fourth as he tried to back out the window. She was pro-gun and is still pro-gun. The news media does not tell you about these stories, and there are dozens every year.

Guns do not kill people; people kill people. In countries that have banned guns, you have many murders with knives and other weapons. It does not stop the criminal. You also have mass shootings because criminals do not obey the law and get their guns illegally. Removing ALL guns will only leave the criminals with guns knowing that the good woman or man has none. Many mass shooters have walked past places they intended to victimize because of security with guns and moved onto a gun-free zone.

Moreover, the first thing a country does that is headed into socialism does is get the people to voluntarily hand over their guns. Then, within a few years, you have a socialist state. This happened in Venezuela and is now happening in the beginning stages in Australia, Canada, and Austria.

God allows us to defend ourselves against harm or death from others by all means necessary. Someone breaks into your home seeking to rob you and do you bodily injury, John Smith might use unarmed self-defense (e.g., aikido), Jane Smith might use a handgun, Jim jones might use a knife. Whatever weapon one needs to protect lives is acceptable with God. Just open the Bible and read the history. God’s moral values do not change simply because imperfect humanity’s moral values change.

[1] https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-weapons.html

SCROLL THROUGH DIFFERENT CATEGORIES BELOW

BIBLE TRANSLATION AND TEXTUAL CRITICISM

BIBLICAL STUDIES / INTERPRETATION

EARLY CHRISTIANITY

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETIC EVANGELISM

TECHNOLOGY

CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY

CHRISTIAN FICTION