Guns Are Not Christ's Way, Yet They Are America's Favorite Murder Weapon

[yeahYeah]

the ownership of a sword did not cause people to go out and kill.

[jtkratzer]

Originally Posted by StrykerDM

or the part where the Romans come to take Christ in the garden and one of his disciples pulls out a sword and cuts the man's ear off. Jesus doesn't ask why he's even carrying a weapon, he just tells him to put it away because now is not the time. So if Christ thought it was no big deal for his own disciples to go around armed, why would it be a big deal for us to do so?

He didn't ask because hours earlier he told those who were unarmed to get a sword by whatever means necessary, even if it meant selling the clothes off your own back.



Remember, the first documented murder in the bible is between Cain and Abel. God didn't ban rocks or whatever the weapon was, he banned the murdered. Why won't our society and political pundits figure this out?

[newKid]

Originally Posted by StrykerDM

or the part where the Romans come to take Christ in the garden and one of his disciples pulls out a sword and cuts the man's ear off. Jesus doesn't ask why he's even carrying a weapon, he just tells him to put it away because now is not the time. So if Christ thought it was no big deal for his own disciples to go around armed, why would it be a big deal for us to do so?

I certainly do not claim to be a Biblical scholar, but I do know a thing or two. In fact, the justifiable use of violence was my subject for a short essay I had to do for my GenEd bible class (Christian school.) It is important to remember to proper social context, and times in which Jesus lived. Not only was a sword (probably more of a dagger) useful for protection, it was a utility item, they didnt really have the technology to make something as small as my spyderco. . . . How many of us carry a pocketknife daily, not necessarily for defense, but for the millions of unforeseen situations where we need to cut or pry something where proper tools are not handy, (I would not recommend using your defensive knife for prying). So while the point that Jesus did not condemn him for carrying the sword is indeed very valid, it is also important to realize that it wasnt exactly the same as you and i carrying our guns on us.

it is also important to note realistic lack of a "police force." If the police cant keep us safe now imagine what it was like back then! the reference to Luke 22:36 is also valid, however, it is important to note a couple things here as well. According to John, Jesus washed his disciples feet before the last supper where he told them that no servant is greater than his master, and if they hated Christ first, they will hate his followers. this gives Christians a particular reason to defend themselves. here is a little snip of that paper I wrote:

This principle continues on into the defense of ones life and the lives of others. In Luke 22:36, Christ tells his disciples to buy a sword if they don’t have one. While this language is not literal, its meaning is still relevant in this sense. For in the following verse Jesus tells his disciples that He (and therefore them) would be considered outlaws. Once Jesus’ divine arrangement and protection was taken from them, they would have to provide for their own support and protection. The sword obviously represents protection, as Jesus would obviously condemn violent aggression. It therefore follows that Jesus did not condemn the act of protecting oneself and likely others as well (Psalm 82:3; John 15:13; James 1:29). However, in verse 38 the disciples, as they often did, took his words to be immediately literal and produced a pair of swords for him!

So, to say that Jesus telling his disciples to by swords is a 1:1 analogy to us carrying handguns today isn't necessarily accurate, and should not be considered as such, however, the underlying themes of personal responsibility for your safety (among other things) certainly applies.

[D-FENS]

"We have by far the highest rate of possession: 89 per 100 people. Not that nearly every person you see, children included, has a gun. Only that it shouldn’t be a surprise when shooting seems to erupt anywhere and everywhere."


When shooting seems to erupt anywhere and everywhere you need to look at who is responsible and what caused the eruption. You will find criminals are responsible and drugs and gangs are the cause. This is another wild west scenario. More guns equals more violence is what they want you to believe.

"Guns can have legitimate human use, but we as a society come close to making them objects of worship."

They at least admit that guns can have a legitimate use. I would delete the word can and substitute the word do. As far as the worshipping comment is concerned, I don't believe any christian puts his firearm before God. Neither guns nor crosses are good luck charms. Gun violence sucks, but it won't be solved over night and until someone can convince me otherwise I will not be forced to be at a disadvantage.

I do not relate to any pacisifist ideas. I have a hard time respecting anyone who would preach pacisifist ideas to any group of people. Do not allow yourself to be unprepared to appease someone's interpretation of their religion.

[afmo]

[rickett]

Originally Posted by afmo

They're also America's favorite defensive weapon, as more people are saved by guns than killed by them every year...

ETA: this editorial bothered me for some reason, so I sent them this on their contact page.

Just thought you should know that while it is true that guns were used to murder nearly 12,000 people in 2005, you should also realize that studies (GunCite-Gun Control-How Often Are Guns Used in Self-Defense?)
indicate there are nearly 2 MILLION guns used in lawful self defense every year. Guns may not be God's way, but we do live in His world. Life is a precious gift and we owe to to the Creator to protect the gift He's given us.

Nice.

[StrykerDM]

Originally Posted by newKid

So, to say that Jesus telling his disciples to by swords is a 1:1 analogy to us carrying handguns today isn't necessarily accurate, and should not be considered as such, however, the underlying themes of personal responsibility for your safety (among other things) certainly applies.

interesting...