Sermon Tone Analysis

May Christians Use Guns?

Caveat

In this lesson, we are talking about the possibility of Christians using guns or other weapons for self-defense in countries where the laws allow for the use of guns or other weapons in self-defense.

Logical Answer

There are different laws made by the government for living in society, but when it comes to sin, there is one law that applies to all men.

If something is a sin for one man, it is a sin for another man.

There is one law of God for all men.

If it is a sin for a Christian to protect and defend with lethal force, then it is a sin for any man to protect and defend with lethal force.

If this is the case, then police officers are sinning when they defend themselves against criminals trying to kill them, and soldiers are sinning when they fight and kill enemies invading their country.

However, if it is not a sin for men to protect and defend with lethal force, then it is not a sin for Christians to protect and defend with lethal force, again, provided the laws of the land also allow it.

Biblical Answer

Has God shown approval of people who use deadly force for self-protection?

Old Testament

The Old Testament gives us examples of Godly men taking up arms.

We remember that just because the Bible records something doesn’t mean it is approved by God.

After all, the Bible records the lies of Satan, too.

So, a further appropriate question would be, “How did God react to Abram using force against others who had taken his people and goods?”

Abram was blessed after having done this and God was described as having delivered the enemies of Abram into his hand.

New Testament

During the Limited Commission, Jesus sent His disciples out to the Jews with the instructions NOT to take things, but rather to rely on others.

Later, Jesus would send His apostles on a worldwide campaign.

Jesus had previously told the disciples not to take money in their bag, nor take a leather bag or “scrip” with them.

But just before His arrest, His instructions are different.

The word for “sword” here is not simply a tool as some may claim.

The Greek word used for “sword” here is also used in other instances translated “sword” where the word is obviously an instrument of death.

Even though Jesus gave them instructions to sell clothes and buy a sword if they didn’t have one, the apostles replied that they already carried two among them.

Jesus apparently approved of this.

Shortly after this Jesus would be arrested.

At that time, Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of one of the high priest’s servants.

The phrase “all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword,” may be used as an argument against Christians using guns or weapons in self-defense.

But hermeneutics demands that we examine the statement within its context and by comparing it to other verses.

The context is the occasion of the arrest of Jesus.

Peter seems to rise to the defense of Jesus, but Jesus rejects Peter’s defense, stating that He already has a defense if He should need one.

John records that Jesus told Peter to put His sword away because if Peter were to fight, it would prevent Jesus from partaking of the cup of suffering given to Him by the Father.

In relation to other verses, we know that Jesus told His apostles to buy a sword and approved of carrying swords so Jesus would not have contradicted Himself by later forbidding anyone to carry and use a weapon of self-defense.

We also see that the kingdom of Christ is a spiritual kingdom, not a physical one.

Therefore, His servants would not fight to prevent Him from being delivered to the Jews.

Therefore, Jesus was not forbidding the use of weapons at any time, but He was forbidding the use of physical weapons to establish a spiritual kingdom.

Conclusion

There is one law of God for mankind.

If men and women are allowed by God to use weapons for self-defense, then Christians are allowed by God to use weapons for self-defense.

The Old Testament has examples of Godly men taking up arms to protect family and property, with God’s approval.

In the New Testament, Jesus told His disciples to take a sword.

He also approved of carrying swords within His group.

The phrase “all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword,” cannot be literal because not everyone who killed with a sword or gun will automatically die by the same method.

By using hermeneutics and examining context and other verses, we see that Jesus was disallowing the use of physical weapons to establish a spiritual kingdom.

Men are to provide for their own household.

God’s word lets us know that self-defense, including that of a lethal nature, is approved of by God.

Jesus used the idea of the strong man being armed in His teaching.