The Bible and Guns (What is the Christian position)

[Jesus_is_LORD]

This is interesting.

Luke 11:21 (AMP) "When the strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his belongings are undisturbed and secure."

That is very interesting. Thanks for sharing.


Is it a physical metaphor supporting a spiritual discussion (casting out demons)
or a spiritual metaphor supporting a spiritual discussion?
Its reads:

One day Jesus cast out a demon from a man who couldn’t speak, and when the demon was gone, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed, 15 but some of them said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan,11:15 Greek Beelzeboul; also in 11:18, 19. Other manuscripts read Beezeboul; Latin version reads Beelzebub.
the prince of demons.” 16 Others, trying to test Jesus, demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.

17 He knew their thoughts, so he said, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 18 You say I am empowered by Satan. But if Satan is divided and fighting against himself, how can his kingdom survive? 19 And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 20 But if I am casting out demons by the power of God,11:20 Greek by the finger of God. then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 21 For when a strong man is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe—22 until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings.

 

[Hekuran]

I wonder if this applies to wartime or something like that.

Jesus was speaking to a society that knew little peace. They were under a brutal Roman occupation and Galilee at the time was rife with revolutionary plots and gangs. A couple of his closest disciples came from the Zealots, who were committed to the violent overthrow of the Romans

 

[Blake H]

Jesus was speaking to a society that knew little peace. They were under a brutal Roman occupation and Galilee at the time was rife with revolutionary plots and gangs. A couple of his closest disciples came from the Zealots, who were committed to the violent overthrow of the Romans

Thanks.

 

[hopefulson]

I think the 2nd amendment was put in the constitution during a time when force was
the way to overthrow governments, as people saw it. But now we live in a time when
the way to do that is through our elected officials. Through petitions, writing your law
representatives. Sharing your issues, changing the minds of people and just changing their
votes and thus putting in the people in office that will change the laws.

Thus I think the path would be to amend the constitution, but that is very difficult
because many don't want to give up that right. But hopefully productive debate will
help others see another perspective.

I think that America is too much in love with their (our) guns. They (we) value too much
the individual right at the expense of the general safety of the population.

Thanks for sharing.

This is something in terms of opinion I can't ascribe to. Around my neck is a silver necklace with the phrase written in Hebrew ( Never Again ). I will never place any Faith in government. History is painted red with the blood caused by bad government and those numbers are in the millions if not billions. Look at what is happening to the Constitution every day. We have a Supreme Court that has taken it upon itself to define Life and when it is O K to terminate it as though they can create it. I will cast my lot with individual self defense before I abdicate my responsibility to an influence and an authority that has already put the value of Life on a scale that is less than transcendant of human will, having a position of less than eternal reverence. We are headed somewhere and all must seek The Lord for their personal right course.

 

[brighthouse98]

My own view, it is better to have a gun and not need one,then to need one and not have one! Here where I live, having a gun is not because of fear,but rather to be able to be fully equipped to stop evil, be it spiritual or physical.( Luke 22:36) When Peter cut the ear off of a roman soldier, did Jesus not know that Peter was going to do it?? Sure he did!! There was a reason why he allowed him to do it in the first place.( Luke 22:43-51) Jesus did not rebuke him,he said no more of this,so he had to have approved of what Peter did.Or else he sure could of prevented this to start with.Something just to consider.

 

[hopefulson]

That is a wise and contemplative consideration. I am not sure it leads to a clean conclusion but because Jesus is involved it bears for me at least a strong study of the permissiveness that appears to be present and The Lords reaction to Peter's freedom to act. The correctness of the after the fact reaction to the deed which is indisputable as correct.

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

Definitely some good points you both bring up worth considering.

 

[brighthouse98]

In the body of Christ as a whole there are many fine brothers and sisters who never ever have any intention of holding,let alone owning a gun,that is why after my 2 tours in Vietnam in Special Forces I thought my best job in the world was a body guard,a job I kept until I retired. After Jesus came into my life at the tender age of 22, I understood that having the tools( 2 Peter 1:3-8) brings no fear,but rather a sound mind in how in Christ Jesus we are to use HIS wisdom in every area of my life.( 2 Tim 1:7) also ( 1Cor 1:30-31)

Balance in both word and deed is one key in how to obtain a peaceful life even in this sorry world. LOL( Phil 4:7-9) I remember!!! verse 8-9!! BUT!!!!!!! If the unthinkable should happen I am prepared for the jungle as well. Not for just myself,but as an ambassador( 2 Cor 5:20) I am to love others as Jesus himself loved me (John 13:34-35). And the best way for me to follow in his instruction is to be prepared.

That is why we need each other!!! Our life is no longer our own,we have all been bought with a precious price therefore honor!!!! God in your body.( 1 Cor 6:19-20) Representing Jesus is not only by word to me,but also by staying doers of his Word.( James 1:22) I understand there are people out there who may disagree,that is alright with me,its why I am a member of the body of Christ.

I have been called by Jesus himself to ring the bell,to wake some from there sleep in him.( Rom 13:11-14) Every part in the body of Christ must be filled before he comes back,the question I had to ask myself is,what is my part? Blessing all!!( Jude 1:24-25) But please do read all of Jude,at least you will understand my mindset,you may not agree,but I am not here for agreement,I am only for others to consider what Jesus had me consider.

 

[Wnl]

Hi I feel that America need to look at the gun laws in isolation,because
most countries of the world don't have guns, it's not a worldly problem.

The world has gone from the sword, to guns then nuclear weapons when
will it end.

Mankind want to kill mankind for no reason, if one county took over the whole
world who would they trade with. Nobody benefits, because we all die.

I know that the gun is intrigal in American life, so I would restrict the gun
to the home only and a crime to carry one in public, that may be so already.
I don't know.

God said there would be wars and rumours of wars nearing the end times.
Jesus will be coming back one day and will put away all this madness.
Food for thought,
With Love, Wnl

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

Hi I feel that America need to look at the gun laws in isolation,because
most countries of the world don't have guns, it's not a worldly problem.

The world has gone from the sword, to guns then nuclear weapons when
will it end.

Mankind want to kill mankind for no reason, if one county took over the whole
world who would they trade with. Nobody benefits, because we all die.

I know that the gun is intrigal in American life, so I would restrict the gun
to the home only and a crime to carry one in public, that may be so already.
I don't know.

God said there would be wars and rumours of wars nearing the end times.
Jesus will be coming back one day and will put away all this madness.
Food for thought,
With Love, Wnl

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

In the body of Christ as a whole there are many fine brothers and sisters who never ever have any intention of holding,let alone owning a gun,that is why after my 2 tours in Vietnam in Special Forces I thought my best job in the world was a body guard,a job I kept until I retired. After Jesus came into my life at the tender age of 22, I understood that having the tools( 2 Peter 1:3-8) brings no fear,but rather a sound mind in how in Christ Jesus we are to use HIS wisdom in every area of my life.( 2 Tim 1:7) also ( 1Cor 1:30-31)

Balance in both word and deed is one key in how to obtain a peaceful life even in this sorry world. LOL( Phil 4:7-9) I remember!!! verse 8-9!! BUT!!!!!!! If the unthinkable should happen I am prepared for the jungle as well. Not for just myself,but as an ambassador( 2 Cor 5:20) I am to love others as Jesus himself loved me (John 13:34-35). And the best way for me to follow in his instruction is to be prepared.

That is why we need each other!!! Our life is no longer our own,we have all been bought with a precious price therefore honor!!!! God in your body.( 1 Cor 6:19-20) Representing Jesus is not only by word to me,but also by staying doers of his Word.( James 1:22) I understand there are people out there who may disagree,that is alright with me,its why I am a member of the body of Christ.

I have been called by Jesus himself to ring the bell,to wake some from there sleep in him.( Rom 13:11-14) Every part in the body of Christ must be filled before he comes back,the question I had to ask myself is,what is my part? Blessing all!!( Jude 1:24-25) But please do read all of Jude,at least you will understand my mindset,you may not agree,but I am not here for agreement,I am only for others to consider what Jesus had me consider.

Thanks for your service.

 

[Hekuran]

This is something in terms of opinion I can't ascribe to. Around my neck is a silver necklace with the phrase written in Hebrew ( Never Again ). I will never place any Faith in government. History is painted red with the blood caused by bad government and those numbers are in the millions if not billions. Look at what is happening to the Constitution every day. We have a Supreme Court that has taken it upon itself to define Life and when it is O K to terminate it as though they can create it. I will cast my lot with individual self defense before I abdicate my responsibility to an influence and an authority that has already put the value of Life on a scale that is less than transcendant of human will, having a position of less than eternal reverence. We are headed somewhere and all must seek The Lord for their personal right course.

Paul writes to the church in Rome:

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgement. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, busy with this very thing. Pay to all what is due to them—taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honour to whom honour is due.

This of course is before Nero's most violent attack on the church. Nevertheless, first century Christians were no strangers to oppressive government.

I understand that governments can be bad, and sometimes straightforward evil. My observation from traveling to countries where there is both corrupt and oppressive government (Zimbabwe, Myanmar) and places where there is no functioning government is that even a self-serving and predatory regime is preferable to no government at all.

A truly lawless place is truly frightening at every level. It quickly breaks down to 'might is right' and anything goes.

 

[hopefulson]

I think there are two separate points here. The one I am trying to address is responsibility. If in front of you was happening the exact same thing that happened in Germany would you simply watch it and write it off to oppressive government? How do you feel about your sisters and brothers as victims those who's eyes you look into? It is not simple policy and politics. We have liberty in America. It got here somehow for the sake of all it should be preserved. The other point is as you stated The Word and ultimately Jesus Leading. This is not small potatoes it's hard choices that should not be shirked from. That course would leave us with injustice in one way or another so it must be faced head on with courage and prayer.