Should Christians own guns?

[Furious_Love]

And should they be used against others to defend yourself. If you are a police officer how does that fit in with your Christian Ideals. Do you use them to hunt or for fun or protection. If you own one why do you have it or them?

I refused to take part in a shooting range because deep down I felt it was wrong as a Christian. I would like other opinions on this please. Maybe I am being wrong in my assumptions. Yet I know Thou shalt not kill resonates within me. Guns are made for killing. If as Christians you have a gun what justification do you have in owning one?

Thanks in advance

 

[eddieb]

my views on this arent shared by all. thats ok. i will share my views but i think this is one of those matters where if one believes to eat meat is sin, then dont eat it. when they came to arrest Jesus his own disciples had swords. one of the guards ear was chopped off. i looked for it but cant find it but i know it says it in the OT. something like, if a man breaks in your house at night and you fight with him and kill him you are not guilty of murder. read in Ecc 3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
if you pay close attention to words in the bible like liers in wait. in some places it speaks of a lion waiting by a path hidden. in the NT the pharacies would plot on Jesus how to arrest/kill him. they planned it out. thats what makes murder- murder. the plotting.
king david is called two things in the bible. a man of war. and a man after Gods own heart. even still God told david he was not to build the temple, but instead his son solomon. we answer for everything we do. i believe it boils down to the attitude of the heart. i believe there is a difference between killing and murder. i am absolutly NOT saying its ok to do either. but if i have to protect my family, i would. to me allowing something bad to happen is not loving them when i am able to stop it. others see it different.
as far as cops go ( i am not one) i believe God helps the good ones. ever hear a cop talk about a "gut feeling"? thats God giving them discernment. cops literally fight against evil. at the cost of possibly their own life. i believe thats honorable.
i use my guns for fun, hunting and if i had to to protect myself/family. i do not carry a gun. if you live by the sword you will die by the sword. thats not why i dont carry though. i dont fear being killed by the sword. i fear what God will do if i live that way.
so i dont carry.

 

[jiggyfly]

I have several shotguns and rifles, all used for hunting. I hunt mostly turkey, waterfowl. I have recently been invited to join a local gun club/shooting range to shoot skeet but I have not recovered fully from my back surgery yet to participate.

Personally I see nothing wrong with guns used for recreational purposes.

 

[Rev T.S.Perkins]

I dont have any Guns in the house ..How Ever ! i used to work in a pawn shop yrs ago and had to carry a 38 spl...co.rules ! I had a guy that knew me before iwas saved come in and when we talked He asked me if i would shoot him if he robbed us!!!since i was saved now.? i told Him that i would not want to do that however if you came in as a robber and put youreself on the wrong side of God he better not turn his back on me as he left..I would exact justice for that sin and the devil would laugh because you bought into His lies...that was when i was younger..NOW i keep a can of wasp and hornet spray to defend my home and family..non lethal and it has a 50ft range...Rev

 

[Furious_Love]

Thankyou for your input so far.

Well I went to the firing range and watched partly my family and a couple of friends shoot away at the targets. I was not at ease and left a couple of times to avoid watching. They all had fun and I was on the outer.

Many countries have different laws regarding guns and gun ownership. Some people see it as a right to own one for their protection and private use. As a Christian would you use one to defend your family and even shoot someone knowing full well we are to turn the other cheek?

I am not saying I am a pacifist; I would protect my family too the best way I could if someone were to threaten my family. How far would you go if you had a gun beside you? I understand that we have had wars are in wars and they help protect freedoms we are used to against tyranny. Guns are made for killing plain and simple.

As was stated earlier if we live by the sword we will die by it. Jesus is my standard of living; He never carried a weapon or used one. In the Old Testament God sent His people to war and killed many in His name. We have progressed from swords, spears and arrows. We live in the new covenant, the old has passed away (Matthew 27:50-51). So again is it Godly to own and use something that is made to kill even for recreation?

:helppc:

Am I being too fundamental in my beliefs?

 

[Brother Mike]

Fallen......

You need to stick with your conscience Brother, don't do things or look for ways to violate your own convictions. We get in trouble that way.

There is nothing wrong with guns, but for you, there is. Don't look for ways around it.

God is more than able to protect without you having a gun.

You don't want something on your heart between you and God though, we each have a plan to follow.

I can remember my Grandma telling me she won't eat Chinese because of the Ba-Ba statues in the corner. I use to kid her about that until the Lord got a hold on me.

Anything that is not in faith, is sin.

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[Accune]

I couldn't live with myself if shot and killed someone (in defense ),because that person has to face eternity.

 

[B-A-C]

I own guns, and have owned guns in the past. I've never shot anyone. I used to target shoot. I would definitely shoot someone in self defense.

There were warriors in the Bible. David was a warrior. Moses killed someone. Samson killed thousands. David (probably indirectly) killed thousands. Elisha had the prophets of Baal (500 or so of them) killed.

I have children and have been married in the past. I would definitely defend them. In fact the Bible says a husband should love his wife as Christ loved the church (to the point of dying for her). I for one would hate to face God if I had the power to save my family and didn't. I'm should he would forgive me for even that, but to me, if you aren't willing to stand up for your family, morals and beliefs, (you'll fall for anything) you don't really love those things very much. Here in the US, there used to be a saying, I may not agree with what you are saying, but I'll defend to the death, your right to say it. That's because people stood by what they believed in.

 

[David777]

Hello all.

I prefer the AK47, rugged and reliable, a proven weapon.

By far the best assault rifle in the world.

It is the big dont argue with me.

I have used a few firearms, nothing beats the AK47.

 

[El Hombre viejo]

And should they be used against others to defend yourself. If you are a police officer how does that fit in with your Christian Ideals. Do you use them to hunt or for fun or protection. If you own one why do you have it or them?

I refused to take part in a shooting range because deep down I felt it was wrong as a Christian. I would like other opinions on this please. Maybe I am being wrong in my assumptions. Yet I know Thou shalt not kill resonates within me. Guns are made for killing. If as Christians you have a gun what justification do you have in owning one?

Thanks in advance

Yup You're right.Thou shalt not commit murder Exd 20:13 Right there in the Bible.
So then, what would you do if someone broke into your home at dinner time and started into molesting your women and vandlizing your home?

Where in the Bible does it say not to defend your family and others?

If you kill someone in self defense it is NOT murder.

I've also owned guns. I've hunted and killed big game with them. Gee...I also have two fifths of rum in my home..Even if I haven't used alcohol in almost forty years. LOL Rum goes good in some baking Christmas cakes etc

 

[SpiritLedEd]

I couldn't live with myself if shot and killed someone (in defense ),because that person has to face eternity.

The person would face eternity because of their choices, not yours.

"So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." (Ro 14:12)

SLE

 

[Accune]

The person would face eternity because of their choices, not yours.

"So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." (Ro 14:12)

SLE

This is true but I would like to show mercy in that matter.It would just be to hard to wash the fact that I killed somebody out of my mind.

 

[dannibear]

Although all I have ever shot in my life are
airsoft guns with the other teens in the neighborhood
woods, my Grandpa has a gun in the closet in case.

Some good points I found when researching your question.
It is a good question IMO.

• Jesus never carried a weapon, though at least one of his disciples obviously did. But Jesus was not weak or afraid to confront the wicked with force. To defend the temple of the Lord (Jn 2:15), He made a whip of out of cords and drove the money lenders out. A whip is not a deadly weapon, but neither is it a feather boa. It causes pain or draws blood (how much Jesus did or didn’t do of either is not spoken of) and using it against fellow humans is not a peaceful act.
• Jesus forbade his followers from using violence to answer indignities, even violent indignities (such as a slap on the cheek).

The bible was meant as a book for all times and leaves many things open for us to figure out for ourselves. I find no place in the Bible where it forbids individuals from defending themselves, and it is the God given nature of men to defend their families. And whether we choose to support the availability of tools for such defense (such as guns) is left to us.

I put both points of opposite views there.

 

[Brother Mike]

Swords and Guns.......

Luk 22:35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
Luk 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
Luk 22:37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
Luk 22:38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.


Of course today, Jesus would have asked them to carry some heat. Many don't even realize this passage of scripture is here.

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[El Hombre viejo]

I prefer the AK47, rugged and reliable, a proven weapon.

By far the best assault rifle in the world.

It is the big dont argue with me.

I have used a few firearms, nothing beats the AK47.

LOL I use a simple 30.06 I got the range. I only need one shot

 

[El Hombre viejo]

Although all I have ever shot in my life are
airsoft guns with the other teens in the neighborhood
woods, my Grandpa has a gun in the closet in case.

Some good points I found when researching your question.
It is a good question IMO.



I put both points of opposite views there.

Still...At least two of JESUS' disciples had swords
Luke 22:37-39 (King James Version)

 

[El Hombre viejo]

I couldn't live with myself if shot and killed someone (in defense ),because that person has to face eternity.

Would it be better to let someone kill your family? Or worse?

 

[David777]

Hello Mike.

Very good statement that summarizes the whole gun ownership debate.

God is more than able to protect without you having a gun.

This I agree with absolutely, God is sovereign over all.

I tried to get a bite with the mention of an assault rifle (AK47), no responses they must be asleep.

I would never own a gun or use any weapon, we were told to turn the other cheek. Not pull the trigger!

This is not a matter of conscience, rather just who do you trust more
Jesus or your firearm. Is your attention on the kingdom of heaven or the gun cabinet.

 

[Furious_Love]

The answer I am getting so far is it is ok to kill in self defence and to put your family and life first before God. The other side is putting full faith in God to protect us more than the Gun.

I tried to get a bite with the mention of an assault rifle (AK47)

As this is not the jokes section David I think you were taken seriously.

Well, for the gun owners who would use it to defend your family I asked what is the justification in having one being a Christian knowing full well (Exodus 20:13)

(Luke 22:36) He said to them, "But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one.

Brother Mike is this Jesus condoning violence against another. Why would Jesus tell His disciples to buy one, it seems odd comparing (Matthew 26:52) With the verse you mentioned. It seems a dichotomy.

 

[jiggyfly]

LOL I use a simple 30.06 I got the range. I only need one shot

I have a 30.06 too, good round, has more variety of loads than any other round. Mine is an old pre-world war Belgian Mauser that has been semi- sported, made of some of the best steel found but haven't used it in years just keep it cleaned and oiled up. I am more into fly fishing than hunting, especially trout. Plan to go on a trip with some buddies Easter weekend if I am up to it.