Should Christians own guns?

[El Hombre viejo]

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.

If you believe this, David, you don't know the WORD concerning it. GOD is raising up a warrior people not a bunch of wimps. Where did HE ever expect HIS people to sit on their hands and get slaughtered? Give me scripture.
I too would have a time dealing with hurting someone but I would not sit and watch my wife and daughter get raped and killed. I would kill to protect them, and gladly. Then I would take my hurt to my FATHER. How many times in the Bible did GOD tell HIS people to slaughter other peoples? Men, women, children, camels, asses, sheep..
Now let us not be asses.... We stand against the enemy

The WORD says 'Thou shalt not murder', it does not say 'thou shalt not defend yourself'

 

[El Hombre viejo]

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.

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.

Ok Guns aside. Jokes aside Fallen, I would use any and all tools or weapons to defend myself and my family. I would not think about it, I would not hesitate. These who would come against my family are not moving of their own idea but are obeying their father the devil and I will resist.
Look in Genesis 14 The second half. Abraham mounted an army and went to rescue Lot. He killed and took spoils...in defense of his family. Then he even tithed on it! And GOD accepted that tithe!

 

[eddieb]

It seems a dichotomy.

my uncle said to me once life is a paradoxical dichotomy wrapped in an enigma.


how true this is.

 

[El Hombre viejo]

my uncle said to me once life is a paradoxical dichotomy wrapped in an enigma.


how true this is.

Wow Such big words!! Maybe he was intoxicated by the exuberance of his own verbosity? LOL

Personally I think he was right

 

[ActionMike]

Count me in as one who has no problems with Christians owning firearms. They should also train regularly and achieve a certain level of proficiency with before they elect to use them in conflict. I do not consider defending oneself, one's property or the innocent from harm to be a violation of the commandment "Thou shall not kill", nor do I consider "Loving your neighbor as yourself" to be taken to such an extreme that you become a passive doormat to evil. My interpretation of scripture really entails killing in the form of murder. All homicides are not murders. Murder requires malice.

I don't think most people would consider owning a hammer, screwdriver, passenger car or baseball bat an ethical or morale dilemma. A firearm is just a tool like any other - used responsibly they can be used to take game, have fun breaking clay birds or just terrorizing soda cans on a Saturday afternoon.

Also, like the hammer, baseball bat or passenger car, it can deliver deadly force if necessary to another human being. A tool becomes a weapon if it is used to inflict physical damage to another. Murder is only murder if you kill with malice. With both these concepts in mind if I live my life according to the teachings of Christ and love my neighbor as myself then I will be incapable of malice, ergo incapable of murder. My conclusion then is I need not worry about owning firearms, power tools or vehicles because its the person, not the tool, that does the murder.

 

[David777]

Hello ActionMike.

You did state the following,

I don't think most people would consider owning a hammer, screwdriver, passenger car or
baseball bat an ethical or morale dilemma. A firearm is just a tool like any other - used responsibly
they can be used to take game, have fun breaking clay birds or just terrorizing soda
cans on a Saturday afternoon.

A hammer is made to hammer nails Mike.

A firearm is designed to kill Mike, it is not a tool it is a weapon.

You are entitled to your view Mike, but remember our warfare is not against flesh and blood
but against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places.

Are humans responsible enough to own weapons???

 

[ActionMike]

You did state the following,



A hammer is made to hammer nails Mike.

A firearm is designed to kill Mike, it is not a tool it is a weapon.

You are entitled to your view Mike, but remember our warfare is not against flesh and blood
but against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places.

Are humans responsible enough to own weapons???

Your statement is imprecise. The gas chamber and electric chair are designed to kill people. Firearms are designed for conflict but also have secondary uses for recreation.

Yes some humans have the privilege to own weapons. You can use a pencil to stab someone's eye out and they can bleed to death. Pencils are weapons - your bare fists are weapons. If you are implying people are not responsible to own weapons then perhaps you are considering banning karate dojos or better still lets just start removing everyone's arms? I am taking it to the exteme I know but I encourage you to consider that firearms do not load themselves and shoot people anymore than your fists swing themselves and crush someone's skull.

I think the real question is "Are humans responsible enough with their free will?"

That in my opinion is why we are here in this world - to find out.

 

[Gael]

If a Christian chooses to own a gun, I see no problem with it.

 

[Brother Mike]

Weapons and the Lord.

Lot's of these threads wanting to know Black and White answers to questions forget one thing so important to our Christian Walk. You see the same types of questions, ignoring the most important thing.



Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

What is the Lord speaking to your heart about it?

In one case, Jesus tells his disciples to go out, take nothing, not even a Sword. No weapon, nothing. Just Go.

Had anyone taken a sword for a just in case scenario, they would have had to disobey the Lord.

In the next case the Lord tells them to go out Armed, take a weapon with you, buy one if you don't have one.

We may reason it out with the advice of others to get a weapon, or not get a weapon. However, if that reason goes against what was in our heart the first place, things can go wrong, very wrong.

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[Fraction]

Lot's of these threads wanting to know Black and White answers to questions forget one thing so important to our Christian Walk. You see the same types of questions, ignoring the most important thing.



Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

What is the Lord speaking to your heart about it?

In one case, Jesus tells his disciples to go out, take nothing, not even a Sword. No weapon, nothing. Just Go.

Had anyone taken a sword for a just in case scenario, they would have had to disobey the Lord.

In the next case the Lord tells them to go out Armed, take a weapon with you, buy one if you don't have one.

We may reason it out with the advice of others to get a weapon, or not get a weapon. However, if that reason goes against what was in our heart the first place, things can go wrong, very wrong.

Jesus Is Lord.

This is a VERY good point.

There are multiple ways to protect yourself and loved ones in case of an emergency.

Weapons:

Weapons are in fact currently designed to take life. Whether it be a life of an animal or an actual person. (regardless if they can be used for other purposes)

Physical Self Defense:

There are tons of types of physical training one can take that is not only designed for self defense, but for physical fitness and discipline as well.

Alarm systems:

Alarm systems that make loud noises, contact police and medical aid, and so on. This is another good way to help keep you and your family safe.

As we can see above, I have provided one life taking way to protect yourself and your family. I have also provided two other ways. Different people will probably use these methods differently, not use any, or use some and not the others. Some people don't like guns. Some people don't have the time for physical training. Some people don't have the extra money for a decent alarm system.

The point I am trying to get to is the same one that Brother Mike provided. Bring everything before God. Test your personal strength. Know your own limits. Do not pass these limits. All of these things being spiritual of course (not the physical kind of strength).

As for using weapons for fun, possibly at a shooting range. Take a look in the mirror (spiritually) and ask yourself and God about it. If you feel comfortable take the next step. Go to a shooting range, pick up a gun, and fire it at a target. If you find great internal trouble after this, put it down and go home.

Trust God and his work in you. He will answer you, and he will guide you.

 

[El Hombre viejo]

Lot's of these threads wanting to know Black and White answers to questions forget one thing so important to our Christian Walk. You see the same types of questions, ignoring the most important thing.



Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

What is the Lord speaking to your heart about it?

In one case, Jesus tells his disciples to go out, take nothing, not even a Sword. No weapon, nothing. Just Go.

Had anyone taken a sword for a just in case scenario, they would have had to disobey the Lord.

In the next case the Lord tells them to go out Armed, take a weapon with you, buy one if you don't have one.

We may reason it out with the advice of others to get a weapon, or not get a weapon. However, if that reason goes against what was in our heart the first place, things can go wrong, very wrong.

Jesus Is Lord.

I agree Mike. I will also add that for a child of GOD all things are legal. Its just that not all things are good for us. So if a Christian owns a gun its right. If he decides it's not right to own one, that's legal too.

1. 1 Corinthians 6:12
   All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
   http://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1 Corinthians+6:11-13&version=KJV
2. 1 Corinthians 10:23
   All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

And how can I say all things are legal for us?



Matthew 16:19 (King James Version)


19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind (declare illegal) on earth shall be bound (declared illegal) in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose (declare legal) on earth shall be loosed (declared legal) in heaven.


And why do we get to declare things legal or illegal in the Earth?
We have the keys!! We have dominion in the Earth!

 

[Ignis_et_Lux]

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.

If you feel in your heart that you shouldn't own or handle guns, then listen to that.

Other people may feel differently, but don't go against your personal gut instinct if it's something you feel strongly about. That being said, it doesn't mean anyone who owns a gun is less of a Christian or a bad person.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

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!

I, for one, didn't understand the meaning behind the AK47 comment. Acerbic wit, perhaps?

SLE

 

[Brother Mike]

Ak-47

I, for one, didn't understand the meaning behind the AK47 comment. Acerbic wit, perhaps?

David Mentioned his love for a AK-47. He did not even get a nibble on his comment, so he asked if everyone was sleeping.

The AK-47 is a Russian assault rifle designed for one thing. That is to destroy about whatever it hits. Not many people own these, unless you live in Iraq of course.

The AK-47 can go through all the standard body armor police wear today (Level III- I saw the demonstration on video) with no issues at all. It can also go through car doors with no problems, Walls, and many other things.

So, David777 should have had at least a few comments about his remark about them.

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[DarthTrekkie]

i agree with Brother Mike

I don't generaly see a problem with gun ownership if your motives are right. If you feel that it is wrong though, listen to your convictions. If you knowingly disobey what you feel God has put on your heart then you are setting up a stumbling block. As a general rule I don't believe it is a sin for Christians to have a gun anymore than it was a sin for David to have a slingshot.

 

[Furious_Love]

Help Me Understand

As a general rule I don't believe it is a sin for Christians to have a gun anymore than it was a sin for David to have a slingshot.

Are we not living in New Testament times? The Old has passed away. No more killing. I relate having a gun as one who wilfully kills. Maybe it is just me. I don’t know.

I cannot get my head around Christians owning guns. For those who do own guns. Can you please specify why you have one being a Christian?

What am I missing here? Please enlighten me.

 

[David777]

Hello all.

My comment on using an AK47 was just that.

The AK47 is a serious assault weapon, voted the number one weapon of choice.
It is used world wide, probably by the majority of armed forces as well as revolutionary groups.

It is used purely for killing humans, that is what it was designed for.
That's why I was surprised when I posted the AK47 as weapon of choice that no
one reacted. It is an assault rifle and very effective at killing. It is potent not the
kind of weapon you would use to defend your family.

One problem with firearms is that if they fall into the wrong hands people die even in
western countries. We have drive by shootings on a regular basis in Sydney even
though firearms have been banned.

We had a guy who lost it mentally and shot and killed 33 people in Tasmania.

This is the primary problem with firearms, they can kill lots of people.
That is why they were banned over here!

I have used firearms myself in the past, but I have no use for them in normal everyday life.

 

[jiggyfly]

Are we not living in New Testament times? The Old has passed away. No more killing. I relate having a gun as one who wilfully kills. Maybe it is just me. I don’t know.

I cannot get my head around Christians owning guns. For those who do own guns. Can you please specify why you have one being a Christian?

What am I missing here? Please enlighten me.

As I said in my first post I own several firearms used specifically for hunting. Are you a vegetarian?

 

[Barkley]

Guns don't kill...people do. I know you've heard it before, but without that finger on the trigger, a gun is nothing more than a useless piece of metal.

I purchased a gun and learned to use it after my house was broken into in the middle of the night about 12 years ago. I have never felt such fear and utter powerlessness as I did that night. If you haven't experienced such a frightening and traumatic event in your life, you probably won't be able to understand what this does to you. The bottom line is, no one without a house key has the right to break down my back door and enter my home. Period.

I did not seek a permit to carry a gun because I have no desire to shoot anyone. My gun never leaves my house, other than to go to the shooting range to practice. My gun will only be used to protect my loved ones and my property in the event that we are in danger.

Would I have the courage to actually pull that trigger? I don't really know, and hope I never have to find out, but what I do know is that I am prepared to protect what's mine, should anything like this happen again. If you live in the USA, aren't you glad that our forefathers put guards at the gates of their forts to protect those inside and to ensure that no one who didn't belong there tried to get in? I sure am. I believe that we have the right and the duty to do the same.

 

[El Hombre viejo]

As I said in my first post I own several firearms used specifically for hunting. Are you a vegetarian?

Maybe he gets his mear from the store so someone does his killing for him?