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Christians owning guns specifically for self defense? (Biblical references, insight?)

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Phil 1:21

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God being in control does not abrogate our responsibility to act in certain circumstances nor do I find this line of argumentation particularly convincing when we are talking about the direct application of self-defence with Guns or force in general. Let me ask you, is there no circumstance where the use of deadly force can be justified? I'm not saying it's good, but rather whether or not as an action it does not incur actual sin/guilt?
Reminds me of the old story about the guy gets caught in a flood and climbs a tree to survive the waters. Along comes a man in a boat, which the guy in the tree sends away. "God will save me." Next comes a helicopter, which the man waves off. "God will save me." A few hours later, as his strength was fading and his grip loosening, he cried out to God, "Why haven't you saved me?"

God replied, "I tried. I sent you a boat and a helicopter."
 
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razzelflabben

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What is bothering me about this discussion is that both sides have shown scripture to defend their position and honestly I think that it is all pretty good analysis of scripture but only a small handful of people hear even seem to be trying to bring all the scripture together into something that would resemble the heart of God on the matter. IOW's with both sides being represented it would stand to reason that God's intent somehow reconciles all the scriptures together into one understanding that is consistent with the totality of scripture. Thus suggesting the answer is somewhere between the two extremes.
 
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Ignatius the Kiwi

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Again, if God gives you orders that tell you to turn the other cheek, and to return good for evil, and to do good towards your enemies, then you have a choice to make. You either rely on human reasoning or you believe God and His Word. It really is that simple. If God tells you to do something, and other people are harmed by your obeying God, that does not mean you are at fault. You were simply following your orders. Angels can stop and end violence but they don't because God has other orders for them. Are they in rebellion for not doing the right thing in every given situation? No. God has a greater plan for good that we all cannot see.

So in every possible hypothetical situation the use of force, potentially lethal force, cannot be justified? If a man sees a woman being sexually assaulted, should he stop the man, potentially getting into a fight or should he let the man continue his assault and possible rape?

I feel bad just using this example because it is a terrible thing to imagine but I want to test the limits of the pacifism you seem to be endorsing. Is it pacifism at any cost?
 
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Bible Highlighter

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So in every possible hypothetical situation the use of force, potentially lethal force, cannot be justified? If a man sees a woman being sexually assaulted, should he stop the man, potentially getting into a fight or should he let the man continue his assault and possible rape?

I feel bad just using this example because it is a terrible thing to imagine but I want to test the limits of the pacifism you seem to be endorsing. Is it pacifism at any cost?

That does not mean we cannot seek to pull the attacker off the person being abused and telling the woman to run with you then taking a beating or something. One Christian man on here said that he would employ non-lethal martial arts to stop his attackers or to help in a situation of abuse. I would support that, but to an extent. If was on the receiving end, I would in certain cases (if by myself) be commanded to turn the other cheek (Because that is what Christ commands of us). I know that does not make sense to you. But orders from our Lord sometimes do not make sense right away. What God requires from us is....faith. Do you think Abraham wanted to sacrifice his son? Surely not. But He had faith in God that things were going to turn out okay.
 
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Ignatius the Kiwi

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That does not mean we cannot seek to pull the attacker off the person being abused and telling the woman to run with you then taking a beating or something. One Christian man on here said that he would employ non-lethal martial arts to stop his attackers or to help in a situation of abuse. I would support that, but to an extent. If was on the receiving end, I would in certain cases (if by myself) be commanded to turn the other cheek (Because that is what Christ commands of us). I know that does not make sense to you. But orders from our Lord sometimes do not make sense right away.

So you are okay with suffering the wrong yourself. What if this woman saw you being violently beaten, you have no chance to defend yourself. You three are the only people there, she uses her gun to kill the man before he gives you brain damage. Is she a murderer under God's law?
 
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razzelflabben

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What are you talking about?

The conversation was about mental capacity, having their rights taken away. Who said they were criminals, I didn't.

Who said anything about not having punitive laws for criminals? I didn't.
the specific case talked about was a dishonorably discharged veteran that was unstable..you then claimed that such people are reported for just being depressed one time which I questioned sighting our daughters experience with PTSD and physical issues. In fact, one of her friends was discharged for PTSD. so yeah I know a bit about it....now if you want to change your claim that is fine with me but continuing this back and forth when you apparently don't even know what was said has to stop. The report I heard was that the bill in question required the military to report unsable veterans to the gun sellers. As such that is what I was specifically talking about as was clear in the context of my comments. If you don't agree that that is common sense that is on you.
Of course it doesn't make sense, nor did I say anything to that effect, for you to be wondering.

I think you do not understand the principle of law. Punitive laws are absolutely put in place for the criminal WHO violates another's rights. The criminal often foregoes his own liberty for infringing on an others.
exactly my point that you are arguing against....but no worries you are entitled to your own opinions no matter how silly they might seem to me.
And , that is settled, we do not agree on that point.

And I will dare say - I said no such thing, nor should you have dared to make such an untrue accusation.

Yes, that is an exercising of liberty.

Who said without regard? I didn't. You can do what ever you want. Laws don't stop you. Stop signs don't make you stop. You simply choose to stop, because you may personally feel it is the safe thing to do, or because you do not want the risk the consequence of maybe receiving a ticket.
yep but that isn't what is being discussed and since you seem to be arguing that we shouldn't have any laws I think we are done. I personally think some laws are needed for a functioning society we just need to make sure that they are not crossing the line of liberty.
What do you mean "for who they hurt" ? Who did someone hurt? You didn't mention anyone being hurting someone, nor did I. So why are you going off making accusations
about what I "have no regard for", when someone being hurt never happened?
what I said is that someone who is unstable enough to claim and show signs of going to hurt someone should be reported to gun sellers and red flagged from purchasing such items....you disagreed which is fine if you want to disagree but my guess is that you have been so interested in arguing with me that you haven't really heard what I said and just argued to have something to say.
You paint your own position. Perhaps others agree with you. I don't, so what.

I retract that entire statement regarding your child, you had not mentioned by gender.

No I did not. I gave a hypothetical that gave a scenario of one bout of depression.
You replied with a personal real scenario and mentioned a report from a military evaluation. I said nothing about your report, so no, I did not tamper and change your report.
lol but you see, the only argument I made was that a dishonorably discharged vet who is unstable and making claims of wanting to hurt someone should be reported. You disagreed sighting that one bout of depression can get you reported. I showed that that is not how the military works through real life example. So you see, your arguing with me about a dishonorably discharged unstable vet not a bout of depression.
You gave me the impression you were talking about one of your children.
No clue who "the man in question is ".

Tried to us explosives? Either he has or he hasn't.
If he has, there is a consequence.
If he hasn't, you want there to be a consequence for not doing something your are not supposed to do?
lol what I said is that if he is showing signs of doing so we shouldn't sit around and watch him carry it out or stand around and encourage him to go all the way. You disagreed with that statement which I find troubling. If you disagree with stopping someone from committing a crime than I certainly don't want to live in a household or community where you are the ruler. IOW's if we encourage crime we are guilty as well. Guilt by just watching or encouraging the sin/crime. At least that is how I see it. You are free to disagree but Christ never just stood around and encouraged sin nor just watched it passively. Consider the temple...overthrowing the money changers certainly was not a passive event.
You changed the scenario.
no dear, you did because as your posts showed you didn't listen to what I said.
How can you say I agree or disagree with you, on a completely different scenario you just mentioned?
lol I haven't changed anything I have said but your posts showed you didn't "hear" what I said....which is a huge problem for communication.
That is nothing I have said, so I'll leave that to being what you think, and said.

Your mind has thought for me, things I do not think.
Your words have spoke for me things I have not said.
In that regard, your thoughts and your words are yours not mine, to try and talk you out of disagreeing with yourself.
look, I can only read your posts where you quote me in the context of what I said. If you want to reinvent what I said I can't keep up with you which makes it on you.
Again you, change the scenario to WATCHING PEOPLE HURT EACH OTHER.

Who said that was acceptable?

I think your claim is false. QUOTE ME saying what you claim, I said.

God Bless,
SBC
It's all about context dear one, context. If you go back and read my comments for what I said and not what you want me to have said then respond accordingly I am guessing we agree on most things...the problem is you refuse to address what I said and then claim I am reinventing..which is really pretty funny but I digress...if you want to change your stand and agree with me that is fine, personally I don't care if you agree or don't but please stop with the reinventing non sense then accusing me of your own sins.
 
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tulc

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That didn't even address what I said.
Sorry, I thought you said you weren't going to respond to what I wrote. :wave:

I think we have wasted each others time enough.
Well, that's up to you, I don't mind wasting more if you don't. :)

You also. :oldthumbsup:
tulc(is back from driving and looking to waste some time on CF) :clap:
 
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Ken Rank

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Sorry, I thought you said you weren't going to respond to what I wrote. :wave:


Well, that's up to you, I don't mind wasting more if you don't. :)


You also. :oldthumbsup:
tulc(is back from driving and looking to waste some time on CF) :clap:
You obviously aren't serious about quality discussion. I tried point out that you didn't even address what i said, and I get lame humor attempts back. I will just unfollow this thread. Take care champ.
 
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razzelflabben

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You obviously aren't serious about quality discussion. I tried point out that you didn't even address what i said, and I get lame humor attempts back. I will just unfollow this thread. Take care champ.
sorry to see you go you had a lot to offer but I am on the verge of leaving as well because of rude posters...
 
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98cwitr

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Exodus 22:2 If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed

We have a biblical right to defend ourselves and our loved ones. We are commanded to not murder, but saving lives by taking another who would kill an innocent is not murder.

Matthew 5:

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Seems to me Jesus is saying that we are to be non-resistant, even to the point of death.

As Christians, are we to value physical life over spiritual life?
 
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razzelflabben

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Yes, you cited a military case.
I gave a civilian scenario.
You decided what I think, then responded to that.
lol the military case was the bill being talked about....so you confess to changing the topic without warning but still try to paint me as the problem...I don't have to expose myself to such rude posts, keep it up and we are done talking.
That would be fine, IF you were actually responding to my opinions, and not yours.
I am responding to your posts as they apply to what you quote me as saying...it really is that simple.
 
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tulc

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You obviously aren't serious about quality discussion.
So...when you say you're not going to respond to what I say that's not actually true? I assumed you were being truthful, my mistake. I might point out I did actually respond to what you said earlier in the thread and got accused of "adding to what was said" so I went back and looked at it and I see the thing you were accusing me of? That was me quoting you. Feel free to go look at it again. Or not. It's up to you. :)

I tried point out that you didn't even address what i said,
Not really but it's pretty obvious this is pretty much how you deal with people who disagree with you since you did it to at least one other poster in this thread alone. It's ok, I've been here a while now and this sort of posting is pretty common for people who don't like to being disagreed with. when you do decide you'd be interested in discussing things I'll still be here and will be more then happy to discuss things. :wave:

and I get lame humor attempts back.
lame humor? Ouch! I may have to drink some more coffee to help heal my broken heart now. :swoon:

I will just unfollow this thread.
That's up to you of course, or you could just address only the posts you want to respond too and pay no attention to the rest. But again, that's up to you.

Take care champ.
...I don't think I'm a champ...maybe in the top 10-15% but champ? Nah. I do appreciate the vote of confidence though and hope I prove worthy of your vote of confidence. :oldthumbsup:
tulc(guesses he'll have to start some type of training regime to get into "champ" shape...anyone know what shape champs are? asking for a friend) :sorry:
 
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SBC

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lol the military case was the bill being talked about....so you confess to changing the topic without warning but still try to paint me as the problem...I don't have to expose myself to such rude posts, keep it up and we are done talking. I am responding to your posts as they apply to what you quote me as saying...it really is that simple.

:groupray:
 
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razzelflabben

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You think it not rude of yourself to make such repugnant comments and imply or claim that is what I think or said?
I made absolutely no comments that even suggested I know what you think...I said that if I base your comments on what I said in the quotes you are placing in your posts then X must be what you are suggesting...I personally have a real problem with posters like you and another poster on this thread that think it is okay to be so rude and disrespectful of other posters as to chase us off so that you don't have to have an honest discussion.
 
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SBC

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I made absolutely no comments that even suggested I know what you think...I said that if I base your comments on what I said in the quotes you are placing in your posts then X must be what you are suggesting...I personally have a real problem with posters like you and another poster on this thread that think it is okay to be so rude and disrespectful of other posters as to chase us off so that you don't have to have an honest discussion.
what I said is that if he is showing signs of doing so we shouldn't sit around and watch him carry it out or stand around and encourage him to go all the way. You disagreed with that statement which I find troubling.

I personally have a real problem with posters like you and another poster on this thread that think it is okay to be so rude and disrespectful.



:groupray:
 
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SBC

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For those that were polite and gave good discussion I thank you but I am not going to continue with this rude behavior...moving on like another poster who had similar issues.
I am not going to continue with this rude behavior

:groupray:
 
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razzelflabben

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For those who are honest and actually quote the other person's own words sure makes for a healthy conversation, but obviously after several unfulfilled requests, that ain't gunna happin -



Good for you to admit.
lol since I already quoted you and pointed out the problem and you even admitted to changing the topic without warning I am sure we are done since you are still being rude.
 
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