Christianity and Guns Do NOT Go Together!

In Biblical times, the implements of war and killing were swords, spears, and arrows. In modern times, humans prefer guns and rifles. The implements are still used for war and killing, but human technological advances have made modern weaponry more lethal and efficient. Christians, however, are NOT supposed to need either the offensive or defensive capabilities afforded to humans by these weapons. Hence, it is more than a little strange and ironic that so many folks within the American Church are so fascinated with these weapons and own so many of them! Don't see anything strange or ironic about that?

In the Torah, we read that the Israelites were commanded NOT to murder each other (Exodus 20:13). In the Gospel of Matthew, we read that Jesus transformed this commandment by making it a sin for anyone to even be angry with their brother/sister (Matthew 5:21-22). Just prior to saying that, Jesus had told his disciples that those who are meek and play the role of peacemaker would be blessed (Matthew 5:5, 9). Christ also instructed his disciples NOT to resist evil people and offer them the other cheek if they slap you (Matthew 5:38-39). He also told them to love their enemies and pray for those who were persecuting them (Matthew 5:43-44). Moreover, when Christ was arrested and one of his disciples used his sword to try to defend him, we read that Jesus said: "Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword." (Matthew 26:51-52) Clearly, Jesus Christ did NOT intend for his disciples to need or use any kinds of weapons!

In this connection, it should also be noted that such weapons will NOT exist in God's Kingdom! In two passages in the Old Testament, we read that the nations will "beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks - nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." (Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3) Weapons are for killing. In the Messiah's Kingdom, Isaiah wrote that "They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Isaiah 11:9) Clearly, weapons will have NO place in God's Kingdom (not even for hunting)!