The pop culture view of Christianity sees Jesus as a meek and mild pacifist. By extension, some argue, that owning and using firearms for self defense goes against Jesus’ other teaching his people to turn the other cheek if someone slaps them (Matthew 5:38-40). Well, I guess that settles it. No, not really. Jesus also instructed his disciples to go buy and carry a sword. And, if the disciples didn’t own a sword, Jesus told them to go sell their coat and buy a weapon (Luke 22:36). Jesus’ two statements are not a contradiction; they’re rules of engagement. Together, these two statements form a way for Christians to interact in the world. Taken together Jesus is telling us to carry a weapon, while also de-escalating conflicts and avoiding fights when possible.
Are Rights & Biblical responsibilities Static?
At this moment, I’m sure a few people are making the argument that, “well actually…”
- The 2nd Amendment was about muskets, not modern firearms.
- The Bible says to own ‘swords’ so that doesn’t include guns.
Arguments I’ve heard:
In Bible times, the sword, spear and bow were the primary military weapons used by the soldiers of the time. At the time of that the 2nd Amendment was written, the military weapon was the musket. So, should those rights and responsibilities move with technology? It’s funny how this argument gets cherrypicked only when convenient, and then set aside when the person making the argument is through with it. The best way to respond is by asking some other tough questions:
- Do you have the right to free speech while on a phone call?
- The founding fathers never intended people to speak freely to people a thousand miles away. By that argument, phone companies should be allowed to use AI to block all calls that the government doesn’t like.
- Is free speech a right on the internet?
- Obviously, the internet is dangerous “high-capacity” free speech that the founding fathers never intended. So, we better ban that too.
- Clothing in the Bible was tunics, robes, sandals and girding up the loins.
- Why don’t we dress in the clothing described in the Bible?
- Does the right to privacy cover us online?
- After all, phones, internet, security cameras, smart-phones that record everything etc, didn’t exist in the time of the founding fathers… so online spying is okay, right?
- Does the commandment, “Thou shalt not commit adultery” apply to online content?
- The internet didn’t exist in the time of Moses, so online affairs and content doesn’t count, right?
To be clear, online adultery is still adultery, freedom of speech still counts on the phone and online, and the right to privacy likewise also extends to modern technology as well. When the Bible says, tunic, robe and sandals, of course it’s okay to wear pants and sneakers today. In the same way, when the Bible says “sword” the author is clearly talking about the military and defensive weapons appropriate for the time. To read the Bible any other way is to intentionally twist the words of God so that they’re politically correct. In the same way, wiggling out of the 2nd Amendment because freedom is scary also deals a death blow to all of the other rights at the same time. The truth is uncomfortable sometimes, but it’s still the truth.
The military and defense weapon of the Bible was the sword; at the time of the American Revolution it was the musket. Today, the primary military and civilian defense weapons are the handgun, AR15, and the shotgun. Just look inside any American police car and you’ll see body armor on the chest, a handgun on the hip, and either a shotgun or an AR15 secured in the vehicle.
The Assault Weapons Ban of The Bible
1st Samuel 13:19
“the Philistines said, ‘The Israelites must not make swords or spears for themselves.’”
The verse above is from around the time that David fought Goliath. The Philistines had conquered God’s people and they had made it illegal for the Israelites to own and make weapons. In fact, the Philistines even banned the Israelites from being blacksmiths who could work metal. Because blacksmiths can make weapons. The Philistines did this because they wanted to have complete control over God’s people, and so the Israelites would be unable to defend themselves. When modern politicians say that they want to “keep the weapons of war” out of civilian hands, they’re following in the footsteps of God’s enemies.
God never disarmed his people. In fact, Jesus told his disciples to go buy a sword while also being peaceful. The only assault weapons ban of the Bible was put in place by the enemies of God’s people.
But the Bible has more to say about swords. The Bible describes how men are to provide safety for their wives and families.
“All of them are skilled with swords and trained in warfare.
Each has his sword at his side to guard against the terror of the night.”
Song of Songs 3:8
This verse is from the Bible book Song of Songs, and this is how a Godly man is supposed to show up to protect and honor his wife and his community. A Godly man is armed to guard against the terrors of the night. Strange as it seems, there’s actually a Biblical case for night vision.
So, when Christian civilians own an AR15, body armor, takes tactical training, and has night vision, we’re actually aligning with God’s word.