How Did Jesus Get Connected To Guns?
BY Herschel Smith
7 years, 2 months ago
Michael Brown at WND:
Since when did the gospel become associated with guns? Since when did the Christian faith become linked to the right to bear arms?
Lest I be misunderstood, this article is not about gun control, nor is it about the Second Amendment.
I am not asking whether Christians should serve in the military, and I am not questioning our right to defend ourselves.
I’m simply asking why conservative Christianity – in particular, American evangelical Christianity – is so strongly linked with a passion for guns. There’s certainly no scriptural connection to be made.
Again, I’m not advocating for new gun control laws, and I’m not saying that we roll over and die when attacked by our enemies. I’m not even questioning to what degree churches should have security in place in their assemblies.
That’s not my focus or issue at all, and I understand clearly: 1) the importance of the Second Amendment in American history; 2) the emphasis many American evangelicals put on holding to our donstitutional rights; and 3) common-sense issues of self-defense.
Still, I find it odd that many Americans associate evangelical Christians with guns – and I don’t just mean that some evangelicals enjoy hunting. I mean that “gospel” and “guns” seem to go hand in hand. If ever there were an example of odd bedfellows, it’s here.
It would be one thing if radical Muslims were associated with guns or if white separatists were associated with guns. But conservative followers of Jesus? What’s our specific and unique connection to guns? Frankly, I don’t see it.
In contrast with Muhammad, who was a warrior as well as a spiritual leader, the Founder of our faith was crucified. And in contrast with the early followers of Muhammad, who went to war on his behalf, the early followers of Jesus were put to death as lambs going to the slaughter.
In the words of Paul, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:35-37, quoting from Psalm 44:11).
This remains the pattern around the world today, where followers of Jesus are the persecuted, not the persecutors. How did this switch so dramatically in American culture?
Good Lord. There are so many confused thoughts, sentiments and alleged doctrines strung together in haphazard fashion that it’s hard to know where to begin.
First of all, let’s stipulate that Islam is a political religion whose main tenet is the implementation of Sharia, by force if necessary. Warfare is the way of things, and it’s easy to become a Muslim since it involves the mere citation of a few doctrines out loud regardless of belief. Islam is a religion only for simpletons, amenable to barbaric and bloody conflict. It was never designed to be anything else. It was fabricated to keep Muhammad’s band of fighters from splintering and wandering off.
On the other hand, Christianity, true doctrine, includes the robust doctrine of the Holy Spirit who persuades, convinces, and changes the heart of man, regenerating his mind, volition and desires. We need no such thing as forcible implementation of Christianity, for that would be to usurp the role of the Holy Spirit, who, as the wind, blows wherever He wants as His sovereign will dictates. It would be obscene to attempt to force conversion since no one but the Holy Spirit can do that.
That must not be confused, as this writer does, with the fact that Christianity doesn’t have to be the pacifist, beatnik, long haired hippie flower child faith that people in America seem to think. They’ve believe that because they have been taught it by ne’er-do-wells and idiots who don’t know anything about Christian doctrine. True enough, Christians have been persecuted around the world, from Mesopotamia to the Coptic Christians in Egypt, in Armenia with the genocide at the hands of the Muslim Turks, and on and on the sad, sorry list goes.
But there is a different example for us, namely, the Crusades, where we saw Christian warriors who fought to save the Christian world from extinction. God preserved the true faith, as He always will, but He used the hands of warriors as secondary causes. It is this example we should follow, not that of passive Christianity who willingly allows women to be raped, children to be killed or converted, and men to be beheaded, all in the name of love for Christ. Love for Christ doesn’t mean hatred for fellow men such that we are willing to see them perish at the hands of barbaric mobs.
The author, Michael Brown, doesn’t give much attention to the very important notion that defense of self and others is not only a right, but a duty if one is going to be faithful to the Decalogue. Furthermore, he isn’t studied in the concept of Good Wars, which is a logical and Biblical extension of the Decalogue. Christ was crucified for the sins of His people (Matthew 1:21). Christ also had to take the cup that was before Him because of the will of His father.
Our deaths will provide vicarious atonement for no one, including ourselves. Christ’s instructions in the sermon on the mount involved personal relationships, not state interactions, covenants, or tyranny. More to the point, tyranny is an abomination to God’s authority over mankind in all of its aspects. It violates the warp and woof of the entirety of the Holy Scriptures.
Weapons were sanctioned by God as a consequence of evil in the world, and so it will be until the end. Simpleton commentaries that assume that Jesus was a Bohemian hippie flower child do nothing to further men’s understanding of true doctrine, or how they should then live.
On October 26, 2017 at 7:34 am, John said:
I think Luke 22:36 is pretty definite about weapon ownership.
Jesus said: “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.”
On October 26, 2017 at 8:49 am, Matthew Bracken said:
WND employs cowardly cucks? Wow.
The gospel of Luke makes it clear to me that Jesus did not advocated pacifist suicide in the face of aggression. Swords were the guns of the day.
“And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
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.”
On October 26, 2017 at 10:12 am, dad29 said:
And by the way, what is a “…..passion for guns”?? Do mechanics have a “passion” for wrenches? Do MD’s have a “passion” for stethoscopes?
Guns are tools, no more, no less. They can be used for good, or for ill. When they become outdated, they will be set aside for better tools, just as the adding machine was set aside for the chip-driven calculator.
On October 26, 2017 at 10:30 am, Fred said:
“I am not questioning our right to defend ourselves”
“I’m not saying that we roll over and die when attacked”
“I’m not even questioning to what degree churches should have security
common-sense issues of self-defense.”
Further to Mr. Smith’s notes we can add that he cites the Natural Law of God three times and doesn’t even know that it exists. This man’s understanding of the LORD has been retarded by bad teaching or his own lack of pursuit of Truth. God is the creator of everything, including that innate sense of self preservation which can even be involuntary if immediately threatened. The apostles chose to follow Christ and hearkened unto the Holy Spirit even to their death. This is a mighty faith indeed. I’m not aware at this time that the Spirit of God is calling me to martyrdom but if forced to choose I will not renounce my LORD. He needs better pastors and teachers. If he’s called to go to Saudi and whip out his smuggled king james bible and start street preaching then he, for the duration of his short life, will surely be blessed.
“Still, I find it odd that many Americans associate evangelical Christians with guns”
“This remains the pattern around the world today, where followers of Jesus are the persecuted, not the persecutors. How did this switch so dramatically in American culture?”
And here we find the root of the problem. He’s not listening to God at all he’s listening to I, I, I, and to ‘many Americans’. Name the American Christians that are persecuting people. Name one, any, a group? The only persecution by Christians here is bad teaching and wrong doctrine to which he seems to have fallen victim. I do respect his asking the question but suspect an ulterior motive for asking via satan’s playground, the internet.
Oh and here’s a little video of the Poles rolling over and dying. He might wonder at their mighty faith indeed. Brings a tear to my eye every time I watch it.
https://youtu.be/YHZRBzf-9pc
On October 26, 2017 at 10:50 am, June said:
Hundreds of years ago, before the invention of guns, Mr. Brown would be asking “how did Jesus get connected to crossbows?”
On October 26, 2017 at 11:57 am, Joshua Smith said:
I reject any notion of a “connection” between Jesus and guns. I further reject anything more than a casual relationship between evangelical Christians and guns, and certainly reject any notion of a causal one.
Unless evidence can be provided for such a relationship, this article is a pointless meander; the ruminations of a non-thinking man.
On October 26, 2017 at 5:26 pm, James said:
Christ is scripturally referred to as the Lord of Hosts, and the God of battles.
On October 26, 2017 at 6:18 pm, Daniel said:
Even the Roman Catholic Church has codified legitimate defense of self and others — see paragraphs 2263 – 2265 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty…” Unfortunately too many old liberal Catholics redefine everything they read until it becomes, for them, “Only Cops should have guns!”
On October 28, 2017 at 9:37 pm, Danny said:
Daniel (October 26, 2017 at 6:18 pm),
Yes, there are Catholics who own guns. It is a good thing.
On October 28, 2017 at 11:11 pm, BOBO said:
Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
So far as it depends on you. Don’t start nothin’, won’t be nothin’.
On October 29, 2017 at 8:45 am, Jim Sheats said:
King James Bible Joel 3:10
Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
On October 29, 2017 at 9:58 am, Dienekes said:
“EVEN the Catholic Church has codified legitimate defense of self and others”…
By natural law it was a right and a duty from time immemorial. Nice to see it in print, but no permission required, thank you. As a cradle Catholic I was never confused on that point.
With the quality of religious education we presently have in the his country, we’ll be worshipping Baal soon anyway…
On October 29, 2017 at 9:59 am, Dienekes said:
“EVEN the Catholic Church has codified legitimate defense of self and others”…
By natural law it was a right and a duty from time immemorial. Nice to see it in print, but no permission required, thank you. As a cradle Catholic I was never confused on that point.
With the quality of religious education we presently have in this country, we’ll be worshipping Baal soon anyway…
On October 29, 2017 at 10:00 am, Rich W. said:
Went through that crucifixion and feed the lions b.s. once. Ain’t happening again.
On October 29, 2017 at 10:12 am, Ron said:
In Isaiah 63:3-6, here is the yet unfulfilled prophecy of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, returning to put down the resistance to Him setting up His kingdom on the Earth:
I have trodden the winepress alone;
and of the people there was none with me:
for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury;
and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments,
and I will stain all my raiment.
4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart,
and the year of my redeemed is come.
5 And I looked, and there was none to help;
and I wondered that there was none to uphold:
therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me;
and my fury, it upheld me.
6 And I will tread down the people in mine anger,
and make them drunk in my fury,
and I will bring down their strength to the earth.
It involves probably the greatest violence ever! And He instructed, “occupy till I return”. We may use righteous “gun violence” to defend ourselves and others against evil whether criminal or tyrannical.
On October 29, 2017 at 11:42 am, John #2 said:
Good men –
27 times in the Old Testament the Israelites were commanded to “Be ye separate.”
Following that, in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 the Apostle Paul’s writing clearly states, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 King James Version (KJV): 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
We’ve a pattern well-developed here regardless of which “testament” one refers to. “Be ye separate.”
There is an unfortunate mindset among “Christians” that has fully developed over the last century or so, that Jesus is almost a different God than that supposed “Mean God” in the Old Testament. Let’s try this quote from John 14:9 to clarify matters:
“Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father ‘?”
Same God. The God who ordered the Israelites to commit acts of, as we so refer to today as genocide against the enemies of God and His people. That’s my God and the God of an armed people (Israelites/Christians) ordered to live separately from others.
How does that “Proposition Nation – Magic Dirt” argument the U.S has adopted since the 1910s or so jibe with the above?
It doesn’t. This ill that has befallen this country, being over-run by “the other” ever since and in particular since the Hart-Cellar Act of 1965 is the direct result of disobeying the command(s) from God. 1 John 3:4 states: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” A command from God is the “Law”, therefore the admonition, “The wages of sin is death” as Paul so wrote in Romans 6:23 is the consequence.
The “Republic” governed by true Christians is long dead, it essentially replaced by an Executive/Bureaucratic Dictatorship whose edicts lain upon us emanate from the one-same as the Apostle John wrote in 1 John 2:18 – “Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.”
“Many antichrists have appeared…”
Way back then and most certainly now. “We’re surrounded.”
Let us dwell on the Apostle John’s comments once again: 2 John 1:7 – “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.”
Well, that should help narrow down who the enemy(s) of God, Christ and “Christians” are, shouldn’t it? Naturally, the “Let’s you and him fight” crowd will point straight at the Muhammadans and say, “There they are!”, and just like stupid sheep we agree with them.
Yet when Jesus walked this earth there were no Muslims to contend with and bluntly stated, those people are not relevant as to who destroyed the Republic or in fact rules over us via that aforementioned Executive/Bureacratic Dictatorship.
It is these creatures of whom Jesus accused directly in John 8:44 – “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
The Pharisees.
1905 Encylopedia Judaica: “It would be a mistake to assume that our roots are of the Israelites of the Old Testament, but, rather, our roots are in Phariseeism.”
That is a clear statement that what we think of as “Jews” today are not related to the Israelites of the Old Testament. Biblical Judaists/Pharisees were Edomites, Cannanites and Kenites, not Israelites. Moreover, 97% of today’s so-called “Jews” are descended from Central Asia Khazars. Look it up. It is factually true.
“Phariseeism became Medivial Jewry which became Modern Judaism” – Rabbi Stephen Wise
What group has led the fight for citizen disarmament for decades on end? Has been pro-immigration and now champions open borders? For abortion? For “Free love?” For “gay rights” and “gay marriage?” Who runs the Banking system, Hollywood, the T.V. studios, the Porn industry?
The antichrists. The sheer stupidity of today’s Christians is absolutely appalling. They adore and glorify the antichrists, and why not?
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 – “… the coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
“You can’t handle the truth” – Colonel Jessups, from “A Few Good Men”
And Christians can no longer “handle the truth” so they believe a lie and not just a lie, but a whole pack of lies. They revel in the delusion(s) which have led to this –
We were ordered to “Be ye Separate.” We have sinned by transgressing that command and as it so reads in Deuteronomy 28:43 – “”The alien who is among you shall rise above you higher and higher, but you will go down lower and lower. “He shall lend to you, but you will not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you will be the tail.”
Well? Who’s running the show here? Christians or the antichrists, and you don’t get to have it both ways. It’s one or the other.
“Be ye not deceived” – Galatians 6:7
“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” – Jesus, spoken in James 1:8
Don’t be a double-minded man.
On October 29, 2017 at 1:13 pm, Buffalo said:
God, guns and the 2A. It’s a no brainer that we’ve a natural, divine, right to defend ourselves, family, community etc. If there were no guns it’d be long bows, swords, spears, clubs or bare hands as we go back in history. It seems like Evangelicals and guns are linked but I think it is more likely that patriots with a sense of responsibility to their families and community have embraced firearms as a means of defending themselves. Many just happen to be Evangelical Christians. To me, it is more curious that most others have not followed suit and taken up arms. Instead holding to a pacifistic view which Jesus clearly did not entertain. By the way; the end of the story has the protagonist returning with an army on a winged steed wielding a sharp sword, laying waste to the unbelievers.
The second coming is described in Revelation 19:11-16: “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule with an iron scepter. He treads the wine-press of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has the name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”
That’s it…
On October 29, 2017 at 7:05 pm, James said:
Those who beat their swords into plowshares plow for those who keep their swords!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On October 29, 2017 at 7:19 pm, Steady Steve said:
The real Jews are Shepardic Jews of Mideast descent, like my wife. And she has embraced Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Most of the “white” Jews I’ve known are only give a passing nod to their religion, sort of like “holiday Christians.
On October 29, 2017 at 9:58 pm, Copisetic said:
A verse from the Book of Mormon
Just change sword to AR15
A friend of mine showed this and said Mormons are well armed.
And I, Nephi, did take the sword of Laban, and after the manner of it did make many swords, lest by any means the people who were now called Lamanites should come upon us and destroy us; for I knew their hatred towards me and my children and those who were called my people.
On October 30, 2017 at 8:35 am, John #2 said:
“Lamanites Lives Matter!”
On October 30, 2017 at 12:47 pm, Ted Lindblad 3 said:
What is “the gospel”, the good news to people today? Does anyone know? Point to it specifically in scripture.
On October 30, 2017 at 12:57 pm, Herschel Smith said:
@Ted,
I’ve discussed that many times here on the pages of TCJ. Don’t taunt my readers, Ted.
On October 30, 2017 at 1:46 pm, Whirlwinder said:
The Crusaders went to the Holy Land to protect the faithful when they went there on annual trips.
On October 30, 2017 at 2:53 pm, Ted Lindblad 3 said:
Since when is asking for gospel clarification “taunting” Herschel; unless of course it is you and not necessarily your readers that feels taunted by such? Is this not the most important question a man can answer? It is, after all, the “good news” that God Himself proclaims to mankind today.
It is so simple… Christ died for our sins and was raised again for our justification. Nothing more, nothing less. 1 Cor 15:1-4, Romans 4:25, 5:8, Eph 2:8-9, 2 Cor 5:14-21… To the saved, these are most beautiful words. Why does even the hint of them threaten you so?
2 Cor 11:3… “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
Once, as the story of Gods dealing with man takes place over time in the Bible, there was the Law given to “chosen” Israel.
Romans 3:21-28… “BUT NOW the righteousness of God WITHOUT the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith OF Jesus Christ UNTO ALL and UPON ALL them that believe: for there is no difference: For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified FREELY by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation THROUGH FAITH IN HIS BLOOD, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time HIS righteousness: that HE might be just, AND the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”
If the above scripture is taunting or threatening to you, than it seems that I’ve hit my mark. It is something you (and perhaps some of your readers) desperately need to hear.
Gods message to man today is an offer of grace and peace. Paul wrote 13 epistles explaining it in stunning detail. To your articles point, that does not alter one bit the violent nature of man as he ignores the gospel, and the peaceful man’s need for vigilance as he moves through this present evil world attempting to declare that offer to any who would listen.
On October 30, 2017 at 3:07 pm, Herschel Smith said:
@Ted,
Thus you have high jacked the entire purpose of the thread and this blog. I write posts on what I want, when I want, and how I want. I approach my theological views with passion and clarity, and as I said, I have discussed this many times over the pages of TCJ. If you haven’t read them, or if your own theological views have prevented you from understanding the prose that I write, then that’s your own fault.
I didn’t write this post, nor do I blog, in order to give you a forum to “hit your mark.” Go start your own blog. Learn about the hard work it takes to build a readership yourself. If I wanted to blog only on theology, I would start such a blog. I may in the future do just that. But until then, I’m a Christian who blogs about guns, liberty and issues of warfare and self defense. I’m not a gun owner who blogs about only things theological.
Don’t put out tests for my readers. That’s my job. Only I do that. When I want, and how I want, within the context I want. I’ve blogged for eleven years, and over that time I’ve covered in detail what a man must do to be saved and exactly who Christ is. If you wish to support the very forum you’ve high jacked, then send me some money. It costs me something to rent server space and band width. Out of my pocket. Not yours. This isn’t your blog.
On October 30, 2017 at 4:56 pm, Fred said:
It’s the Grace Country zionist dispensationalist troll again. I haven’t seen him around in a while. You must be over the target Herschel, he only shows then.