The Christian And Guns11 min read

     "Guns and Christianity don't go together" is what many believe and assert, even some Christians. A few people also remind us that Christ tells us to "turn the other cheek," and that "those who live by the sword, die by the sword." All of these statements, however, need to be interpreted in their proper contexts, and the entire biblical data surveyed, in order to form a true biblical position on the core issue: that of self defense.      

     In this article, we will present what we believe to be the closest biblical stance regarding the issue of the Christian and his or her ownership of weapons, most specifically, guns. In today's ever-changing and confusing political and Evangelical atmospheres, it is quite difficult to sift through the unbiblical, erroneous, or illogical teachings coming from all sides of the gun ownership issue. Our goal here will be to find out what God—through His Word—thinks about these issues; because only God's opinion ultimately matters.

The Real Issue

     When it comes down to it, the central idea that revolves around gun discussions and arguments is our right to self defense. Contrary to popular belief, self defense is legitimate in God's eyes. While it is true that, ultimately, God is our protector, defender, and deliverer, self defense is not foreign in the Bible. The Scripture is filled with stories and/or admonitions regarding defending one's self or others:

"If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He shall surely pay." - Exodus 22:2-3

(The implication is that the thief was struck by the victim in defense of self or property).

"Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." - Psalm 82:3-4

(God wants us to protect the weak and needy, and deliver them—defend them—from the wicked).

"Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." - Proverbs 31:8-9

(Again, we are called to defend others).

"Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place." - Jeremiah 22:3

(God is interested in justice and in the defense of those oppressed).

In Nehemiah 4:15-23, the construction workers of the wall carried with them their work tools in one hand and their weapons in the other hand in order to defend themselves from potential attackers.

(Self defense for a just reason is permissible and prudent).

In 1 Samuel 23:1-5, David asks the Lord if he should go and defend the people of Keilah who were being attacked and robbed by the Philistines; God said yes, to save Keilah!

(Defending those in need is a godly thing to do).

     Some, however, use Jesus' statement in Matthew 5:39 to support their view that we should be pacifists at all costs and under any circumstance: "if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." But Jesus' statement speaks more about seeking evil retribution on someone who has insulted you than it does about acting in self defense when someone is attacking you. Back then, in the Jewish culture, a back-handed slap to the face was more of an insult than a threatening physical attack. Jesus is telling His disciples to "turn the other cheek" to those who insult or offend you—not to those who physically attack you or threaten your life.

Jesus Prepares His Disciples

     In all of the Gospel accounts, the story of Jesus' betrayal and arrest is well attested for. But before His fated capture, a most interesting event takes place that lends support to the idea that self defense is good, and sometimes necessary. Luke 22:35-38 records the account as follows:

³⁵ Jesus said to them [the disciples], "When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing." ³⁶ He said to them, "But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. ³⁷ For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in Me: "And He was numbered with the transgressors." For what is written about Me has its fulfillment." ³⁸ And they said, "Look, Lord, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough."

     Notice that Jesus told His disciples to sell their cloaks in order to buy swords for their protection! This incident is a proof text for the notion that Jesus believed in self defense, even if with weapons—and perhaps guns as well, if they would have been available. But why would Jesus tell His disciples to buy weapons? Well, because He was about to be taken away from them; or, more accurately, He was going to allow Himself to be taken away from them. His disciples would need to protect each other once He was no longer with them.

Peter, The Knight...Rebuked

     Peter, one of Jesus' most influential disciples, took his Savior's command to carry a sword very seriously—and He was ready to use it in order to protect the Messiah. In what must have been an extremely tense situation, Peter (we know it was him because of John 18:1-11) decidedly cut the ear off of one of the servants of the high priest that came with a group to seize Jesus, after He was betrayed by Judas. Matthew 26:47-56 records:

⁴⁷ While He was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸ Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; seize Him." ⁴⁹ And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" And he kissed Him. ⁵⁰ Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. ⁵¹ And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. ⁵² Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. ⁵³ Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once send Me more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?" ⁵⁵ At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture Me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. ⁵⁶ But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left Him and fled.

     So, Jesus was effectively betrayed by Judas, and then a sword fight was almost initiated by Peter. But Jesus Himself—the same one who said to bring the swords—stopped Peter's attack, and even healed the officer. Peter, being the knight that he was, was simply trying to defend Jesus and the disciples. He rightly (but at the wrong time) thought that that was what the swords were for! But there seems to be more to this story than is noticed at first glance.

     Ask yourself, "Did Jesus really need protection?" After all, He is the Son of God. The Bible says to protect the needy and weak, but was He so? His statement about calling down legions of angels (v. 53) indicates that He did not need the protection of their swords. He knew this was going to happen, but proceeded with the divine plan of His Father. So Jesus rebuked Peter not because he was defending Him, but because Peter was—once again—unintentionally thwarting God's plan to have Jesus crucified for the sins of the world (v. 54, 56). Peter did not know the right time or place to use his sword (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).

Those Who Live By The Sword...

     In the betrayal and capture narrative of Jesus, the Messiah tells Peter another interesting statement: "All who take up the sword will die by the sword." But what does this phrase mean? And why would Jesus tell His disciples to buy swords and then go on to say this statement when they tried to use them? This, according to some, seems to mean that Jesus did not truly approve of weapons. Or does it?

    What this verse means is basically this: those who make it a habit to use force, to be violent, to use weapons, and live a life of aggressiveness and abuse will be met with the same in this life. It is the basic principle of, "you reap what you sow." If someone is constantly stirring up trouble and resorts to violence, the same violence will follow him or her. There is, of course, a time for self defense, but Jesus was telling Peter that now was not the time because this was what He came for—and it probably would not have ended too well for the disciples.

     Although we may never know if Jesus commanded His disciples to buy swords in order to prove the point that "those who live by the sword, die by the sword," it would seem contrary to His character to mislead His disciples just to show them a lesson. It is much better to say that Jesus did mean what He said when He commanded them to buy swords because He knew they would need to protect themselves and each other, especially now that He was no longer going to be around.

To Carry Or Not To Carry?

     Now, what are we as Christians supposed to do about guns? Should a Christian carry a gun with them, or even own one? After all, a gun is more deadly than a sword. The Bible leaves this aspect of the debate up to the individual. While some may find it necessary to own and/or carry a gun (instead of a cumbersome sword), others may never even want to see a gun in person. That is up to each person. But it is important to remember that we must follow all applicable laws (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17).

     It is not wrong to own or carry a gun, and it is not any more right to refrain from having one. No one on either side can claim the moral high ground with respect to their decision. Those who do want to own and carry a gun need no other reasons than "because I can, I want to, I like it, and I use it for self defense, which the Bible affirms"; and those who do not want to own and carry a gun need no other reasons than "because I don't want to, I don't like it, and I can protect myself just fine without it, but I trust God for my protection, which the Bible also affirms."

     But the point of this article was to help us all understand that it is morally acceptable, according to the Bible, to protect ourselves and our families, which God has entrusted us with—even if by use of deadly weapons, such as guns...or swords. God does protect every one of His children; and what if He does it by way of a gun in a given situation? How many times has God helped you through others? How many times has God protected you through others (parents, friends, security and police officers, firefighters, etc.)?

     There are many, many cases where a perpetrator or aggressor was stopped by someone with a gun. Whether the gun was used by the victim, or a good samaritan wanting to help, the evidence is clear that guns have saved many lives (but, yes, also taken many others). The right to self defense and protection, however, even by use of guns, should never be abolished nor diminished on account of improperly used weapons. This is particularly important for women, who are generally weaker, to understand and embrace.

     Law-abiding citizens should protect their right to bear arms, especially in the U.S.A., where our Constitution codifies that God-given right. Rest assured, law breakers will be judged by the governments for their evil actions, and then by God (Romans 13:1-7). And the fact that many deeply troubled people have used guns in atrocious ways should not impede other stable people from owning guns for their protection and/or recreation from the unstable people.  So the issue is self defense—and it should always be defended!

Closing Thoughts

     Although we have made it clear that self defense is allowed (even with weapons), care must be taken, and sound wisdom exercised when deciding whether or not to use force—especially deadly force—to defend oneself or others. The Bible is as equally clear about self defense as it is about treating our enemies with love (Luke 6:27-28; Matthew 5:44). And we should never seek retribution or retaliation as followers of Christ (Romans 12:19).

     Each human life is important to God, and all other options must first be exhausted before choosing to end the life of person made in the image of God. Self defense has its place, and guns certainly help to equalize and neutralize potential aggressors, but in the end, sparing another life—and maybe even sharing the Gospel with them—is always the better option. Ezekiel 33:11 says, "I, the Lord, have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but desire that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die?"