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SELF DEFENSE, WEAPONS, AND THE BIBLE BY RYAN HICKS © 1996-1999 Ryan Hicks |
Many people in the name of "kindness" are saying that a Christian cannot bear arms. They believe that bearing arms for self-defense is unbiblical and that Christ taught passivism. They will use verses that relate to religious persecution like Matthew 5:39 which says, "But I [Jesus] say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." They also use Peter's cutting off Malchus' ear and Jesus' rebuke of Peter for trying to live by the sword (John 18:10-11) as a reason not to bear arms and defend self, family, and friends.
If there was a place in the New Testament where Jesus commanded the purchasing of a weapon then it alone would destroy the theory of passive people who are for whatever reason too cowardly to defend self, family, friends, and possessions and twist Scriptures to defend their cowardice (Cp. Revelation 21:8). There is a place where Jesus commands the purchasing of a weapon, not to further the religion like Roman Catholicism does, but for defense.
Luke 22:36-38
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.
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.
38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
Jesus told His disciples to buy swords BEFORE He rebuked Peter for cutting off the servants ear. They said they had two swords, and Jesus approved of this as being enough to defend themselves. He did not rebuke Peter for the possessing of a weapon for self-defense or the defense of others in need, but because Peter was trying to stop what God had ordained, namely His going to the cross. That is why Jesus rebuked Peter. Also, keep in mind that Jesus taught respect for human government, and the high priest's servant was just following orders and was to be respected and obeyed.
John 18:3-11
3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Clearly Jesus did not rebuke Peter's care for Him and defending Him, rather He rebuked Peter because Peter was trying to stop Jesus from being taken to die and drinking the cup which the Father had given Him. This was not the first time Jesus had to rebuke Peter for trying to stop Jesus from drinking the cup which the Father gave Him (Matthew 16:21-23).
Matthew 5:39
39 But I [Jesus] say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
The first thing that needs to be pointed out is that what Jesus explains for us to do is not a life or death situation. This has to do with more being put to shame by being slapped, then it does with being attacked. This is a demand for putting aside pride and taking certain embarassment and wrongful punishment without resisting. Also, this mainly has to do with persecution for His name's sake, which we are to be faithful witnesses even unto death. Though please note that even by our Lord's example we can still reason and try to talk one out of such evil against us (John 18:22-23).
Romans 12:19
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Hebrews 10:30
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
1 Peter 3:9
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
These verses obviously are not referring to not defending yourself in life and death matters, but rather everyday matters let the Lord avenge. When it comes to life and death that is what we have the sword or other weapons that Jesus commanded His disciples to buy.
ORD, and he shall save thee.Proverbs 20:22
22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the L
You may claim that if we are not to avenge ourselves then we surely cannot defend ourselves even in life and death situations, but compare how you would make David's statements contradictory with that logic. Take his statements below.
ORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.Psalms 94:1
1 O L
While the Presbyterian view of predestination is unbiblical and false, I think that the following story about a Presbyterian minister makes a good point.
A Presbyterian minister rode into town on horseback. He was met by a group of ministers who noticed his gun on his side. They said, "I thought you believed in predestination?" The minister answered, "Yes, I do." So the group asked, "Well, why do you carry that gun then?" The minister looked at them and said, "Well, because it may just be that some thief tries to rob me, and that may be the day God predestined him to die."
The point to be taken from this is that God may use you to administer vengeance. Take for example after Aaron had helped make the golden calf the Bible says,
ORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.Exodus 32:26-28
26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the L
The vengeance of killing the wicked was the Lord's, but He used men to administer that vengeance. We are given the charge of administering vengeance when our lives are at stake or the lives of others.
Exodus 22-2-3
2 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
This is clear that it was natural to defend oneself from a thief, even if it meant killing the thief (Exodus 22:2). Though, going after and killing the thief after they were no longer a threat is gone was sin. During daylight it would be required that self-defense was shown in killing a thief, otherwise such would be wrong (Exodus 22:3). God has provided in His wisdom for accidents and self-defense and does not require the blood of one killing in self-defense, even in protecting one's belongings from a thief.
Proverbs 25:26
26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
Giving in the the wicked is cowardly and corrupt. The righteous have no business lying in submission to the wicked. A man should not be found lacking if the time comes to defend himself, his family, or his possessions. Those advocating such slothfulness are defying the Lord and His holy word.
Nehmiah 4:14-18
14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
15 And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
16 And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
17 They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.
18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
The above is another case where we see the Lord approving of weapons of defense. These were not for offense, rather for defense. I cannot stress that enough. Too many people try to act like I am talking about offense against others, when in reality I am talking about defense from other's offense against us.
Exodus 2:11-12
11 And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.
12 And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.
Rather than run away like many of these passivists that are against self-defense and bearing arms, Moses did the godly thing and defended one of his brethren. Stephen, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, spoke of Moses' defending the defenseless and said,
Acts 7:23-25
23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:
25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.
This is the New Testament account of this event and it was praised, not condemned. God joys in His children defending the defenseless rather than pretending to be righteous by twisting the Scriptures into a veil for their cowardice.
FOR YOU STUDENTS OF HISTORY
Note the comments by famous Americans in the early few years of the America we now know.
"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms." (Samuel Adams, During the Massachusetts U.S. Constitution ratification convention, 1788)
"Congress has no power to disarm the militia [the people, all Americans]. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American. The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state government, but, where I trust God it will forever remain, in the hands of the people." (Tench Coxe, Philadelphia Federal Gazette, February 20, 1788)
"The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed." (Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist Papers at 1848)
"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." (Thomas Jefferson, Proposed Virginia Constitution, 1776, Jefferson Papers 344)
A NOTE IN CLOSING
For all of your who support gun registration and strong gun laws please look at the quote below, this is the man who's footsteps you are following in.
"A civilized nation has no need of guns. It is the responsibility of the police to protect the people." (Adolph Hitler, early 1940's)
One person said in response to the last quote from Hitler, "In the early 1940's Hitler made the above statement. The people then believed that they were a civilized and advanced nation. This was just under 60 years ago. Before you holler "That was Hitler, he was a dictator not a president." There are two things you must remember. 1) Hind sight is 20/20 and 2) He was an elected official. We all know the results of that nation giving up their guns."
Also, I was made aware of some sinners that were claiming "every Bible thumper is anti-gun." Well this is pure foolishness and deception. The vast majority of the time it is only the weak, cowardly, non-Christian people that are anti-gun and are against self-defense. They use false Christianity as a reason to not defend self and family. Some may be legitimately in error concerning this issue, but the majority are people that are only pretending to be Christians to further political goals and not to further the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Bible never is against weapons unless they are for wicked purposes, and even at that the weapons themselves are not the problem rather those doing wickedly with the weapons. People claiming that Christians are anti-gun are no greater than the anti-gun people themselves. Open your Bible up for yourself and find out where the Bible and true Christians stand on the right to bear arms. You will find that the Lord has planned for our protection and safety through self-defense and godly wisdom.
