Should Christians Carry Guns?



Q: My husband has insisted that I get my conceal carry permit and is insistent that I carry once it is approved. Is this a good thing? Should Christians carry guns? What should I do?

A: Firstly, regarding your husband’s insistence that you carry, you should submit to that. He isn't commanding something God forbids or forbidding something God commands. And it is hopefully your combined wisdom and discussion on the matter, with his leadership a product of that. As far as Christians carrying, there is a lot to think through, which you are obviously doing, and I am thankful you asked me about it.

Personally, I am trying to process what I have seen and read. There are many differing and nuanced opinions on this matter, and I want to incorporate what I have understood previously with wisdom. There is a distinction to be made about gun ownership in general and the person who is responsible and wise enough to use a gun. Then there is the issue of being a Christian.

For the record, I am certainly pro 2nd amendment. I have no issue with people carrying a gun in general. However, I am also grieved by the tendency (of people in general but especially of professing Christians) to a fighting demeanor, a false sense of confidence, and fearful and overly suspicious souls. And it isn’t as simple as “get your gun, get your training, and get with it”. 

We need to be asking some important questions. Would Jesus shoot an intruder? Would Jesus carry in public? We need to make some important and careful distinctions here. The case of the missionary in 1870 is much different than the homeowner in 2015, for instance. And carrying in public is different than a gun in the home. These are important considerations as we face the ongoing disintegration of freedom and safety in an increasingly anti-Christian world.

The use of force is irresponsible without the use of wisdom. Individuals and their particular personalities play an important part, and the answer to “should I carry a gun” will be different for different people. An angry person with a gun and a certain prejudice should have the right to protection, but their issue might manifest as someone who claims to be a victim while actually being a perpetrator. With anyone, even those who are trained and responsible people, what is the proper and appropriate use of force becomes entirely subjective in the moment of crisis. And it is far worse when someone is all out of proportion to begin with.

Proportion, prudence, discretion, and discernment are the products of wisdom. And so very many people, let alone Christians, have little to none of those. If everyone were armed then everyone would have their own ideas about the proper use of force, and some would shoot to kill someone else who was vandalizing their car. What about someone like me, a small man, who was forced to fight? I might just pull the gun, and let that be the end of it. But might I be tempted to pull the trigger as well? Of course, we could go on and on with both negative and positive examples. 

This doesn’t mean no one should carry a gun just because some will not be wise with it. It means that while it is right to protect yourself from others, others may need to be protected from you. 

For many Christians, even without carrying a gun, they already have a fighting demeanor, a false sense of confidence, and fearful and overly suspicious souls. For them, they need to think first about dropping their weapons and denying themselves.

For all Christians, if you’re going to carry a gun, you must first make sure that you are carrying your cross.

That’s the most important factor.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Rest in Peace?

… it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment

Hebrews 9:27

Many people speak of an afterlife, and talk of heaven. But it becomes quite evident that many don’t know what they are talking about. They may say that they believe what the Bible says about it, but they obviously haven’t searched it out.

They speak of a heaven that conforms to humanism (as if everyone goes to heaven).

They speak of a heaven that conforms to worldly pursuits (our friend is up there playing golf, or gardening, or whatever their favorite hobby or pastime was).

They speak of a heaven that conforms to popular but unbiblical notions (they are an angel now, or that they can hear us now or help us now, as if they can interfere and intercede).

Their notions of eternity are not grounded in God’s Word, but in sanctimony, sentimentality, and superstition. Some might be sincere, but sincerity is no substitute for truth.

So what do you do when someone you loved or knew well dies, and someone else brings their condolences to you, and they say something like this...?

• Well at least she isn’t suffering anymore

• She’s at peace now

• She’s with God now

• She’s an angel now

• God needed another angel in heaven

• She’s with the angels now

• She’s looking down on us now

• She’s in a better place

This is an opportunity. Say something like this (make sure to look at them in the eye).

Thank you for showing kindness. I really appreciate it. Well, I know God will do what’s right. And we all know that we can’t judge anyone’s heart. But I also know that if someone hasn’t made peace with God through Jesus Christ in this life, then they won’t have peace in eternity, and it will be anything but a better place. It’s the same for anybody, including me, or you. You know that, right?

This could lead to a fruitful conversation, and it is a faithful, loving thing to do. Some might feel as if this is an inappropriate time for this type of thing. However, it is just the opposite; it is the perfect time for such a thing. You see, at times it might be inappropriate if you are the one who is talking to the person who is recently bereaved, grieving, mourning. But this is a case of where you are the one who has suffered the loss, and the other person is coming to you. So it is the perfect time to show your faith, share the gospel, and witness for the Lord.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional 2013: To be continued

Mark 16:19-20 / Luke 24:50-53…

The gospels tell us of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ, but this is not the whole story. This is why there is a sequel, and the book of Acts expands the Ascension narrative and tells the story of the work of Christ in the world through His church, empowered by the Spirit.

The amazing point of the Ascension is that Jesus, as a resurrected and glorified human, is in heaven. If in the Incarnation deity entered into the human race, in the Ascension humanity (joined with deity in one person) entered into the realm of God. The implications of this for you and me are incredible.

Redemption was purchased but the work of proclamation and application of those benefits was now beginning. The Ascension of Jesus Christ was central to the initiation and continuation of this work. While Jesus intercedes for us in heaven (Romans 8:34 / Hebrews 7:25 / 1 John 2:1), the Holy Spirit intercedes in our hearts (Romans 8:26-27), enriching and equipping the church (Acts 2:33 / John 16:7-14 / Ephesians 4:8-12).

The Ascension also creates in our hearts a sense of expectation (Acts 1:11). Jesus is the eternal Son of God, and now also the perfected and glorified man. This was the eternal plan of God before creation. God determined to create human beings, enable them to triumph over evil, and exalt them to glory. This was done in Christ. This is the glory of Christianity.

In Christ we now have access into the heavenly realm by faith (Ephesians 3:11-12 / Hebrews 4:14-16). But the future is even greater. He is preparing a place for us (John 14:1-3), and we will have glorious new bodies, free from sin (Philippians 3:20-21). Because He ascended, so will we (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). We will stand in the presence of God, complete and perfect (1 Corinthians 15:51-58). He is glorified, and we will be glorified, glory to His name!

The truth is that the work of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit is continuing on. If you are in Christ, so will you (Philippians 1:6); forever, amen. 

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©