In the United States we have Second amendment rights. The article in our Constitution Bill of Rights reads:
A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
In our episode today, Chris joins Keith to discuss what this means for Christians in our world today. We briefly discuss what this amendment means, and how it came to be.
Keith also brings up Scripture references where the use of a sword is mentioned. keep in mind that through most of history the sword was the common, high-tech military weapon. at the time of our Constitution, the high-tech military weapon of the day was a muzzleloading rifle, and owned by anyone. extend that to today where in AR 15 is the go-to military class weapon. Does that mean it’s okay under our Constitution to own one?
scriptures in the Old Testament frequently .2 authorizing use of the sword to protect people or property, or even as a lifestyle of war.
Genesis 3:24
So, he drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.
Genesis 27:40
“By your sword you shall live, and your brother you shall serve; But it shall come about when you become restless, that you will break his yoke from your neck.”
The sword was also for justice and revenge. Scripture also warns that those who live by the sword will die by the sword.
Genesis 34:25, 26
¶Now it came about on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword and came upon the city unawares, and killed every male.
They killed Hamer and his son Shechem with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem’s house, and went forth.
In Jesus day he did not teach a lifestyle of war. however, He did teach that he would bring division and a sword, and that it was proper to arm yourself for the purpose of self-defense.
Matthew 10:34
¶”Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
Luke 22:36
And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one.
The second amendment clearly allows for citizens to own firearms, even military grade firearms. the prepositional closet seems to limit the purpose of this ownership to maintain liberty in the state you live, and to participate in a regulated or discipline military force. the issue of self-defense is a given. it has always been a given from the beginning of history, even during times where something like the second amendment did not exist.
should Christians carry a weapon, even a firearm, for the purpose of self-defense? of course, If there is danger present.
keep in mind that those who live by the sword will die by the sword. the use of deadly force is a weighty responsibility, and carries consequences for using it wrongly. the rule to apply deadly force comes only as a last resort, when all lesser means have failed.
Revelation 13:10
If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.
When it comes to being oppressed, taken prisoner or even killed, the preservation of the saints is assured. life in this world may be short, or full of hardship, but we can be assured of our final destination.
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