Firearms

[Oloche Moses Okwori]

Is it proper for Christians to bear firearms?

 

[GeorgeJ]

...as long as they can legally do so!

 

[Oloche Moses Okwori]

I agree

 

[ChavaK]

Why not? What arguement would there be against it?

 

[Rigatoni]

As long as we have good reasons for possessing them (sport, protection, etc.), follow the law regarding them and respect the dangers involved, I don't see a problem. I believe God can be glorified through proper ownership of firearms.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

...as long as they can legally do so!

Best answer; but needs a caveat; and that such legal use is not contrary to Word of God!

As Christians, we need to be held to a higher standard than secular law; even though Scripture compels us to "render unto Caesar"; "Caesar" does not always make laws compatible with core Christian values either.

 

[Oloche Moses Okwori]

You have just hit nail on the head of the matter. Much like the answer I was looking for. It is not wrong for Christians to bear firearms but how we use it matters

 

[Oloche Moses Okwori]

Best answer; but needs a caveat; and that such legal use is not contrary to Word of God!

As Christians, we need to be held to a higher standard than secular law; even though Scripture compels us to "render unto Caesar"; "Caesar" does not always make laws compatible with core Christian values either.

You have just hit nail on the head of the matter. Much like the answer I was looking for. It is not wrong for Christians to bear firearms but how we use it matters

 

[pescador]

As long as we have good reasons for possessing them (sport, protection, etc.), follow the law regarding them and respect the dangers involved, I don't see a problem. I believe God can be glorified through proper ownership of firearms.

Can you explain your statement that "...God can be glorified through proper ownership of firearms"? How is God glorified by people owning guns? Do people see Christians (assuming they can be identified as such) owning guns and glorify God because of it?

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Can you explain your statement that "...God can be glorified through proper ownership of firearms"? How is God glorified by people owning guns? Do people see Christians (assuming they can be identified as such) owning guns and glorify God because of it?

Good stewardship of any of God's gifts; and expressing thanks for them gives glory to His Holy Name.

 

[Rigatoni]

Can you explain your statement that "...God can be glorified through proper ownership of firearms"? How is God glorified by people owning guns? Do people see Christians (assuming they can be identified as such) owning guns and glorify God because of it?

Sure, however, @MarkRohfrietsch's reply pretty much summed it up. We glorify God by being thankful for the gift of firearms, while also respecting the dangers involved.

 

[Oloche Moses Okwori]

Can you explain your statement that "...God can be glorified through proper ownership of firearms"? How is God glorified by people owning guns? Do people see Christians (assuming they can be identified as such) owning guns and glorify God because of it?

That is a very good question

 

[PRESIDIO]

As we look at this issue most people would characterize people who would use firearms in taking another life within two groups: those that use firearms in an unlawful way e.g. to commit murders, crimes, etc and those that would characterize themselves as "good guys" but may not have the gift of the Holy Spirit and almost seek the opportunity to use their gun and their training to take life e.g. Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin. I believe there is a third group who knows that man is created in God's image, who values and understands the sanctity of human life, and would only use that firearm in the defense of another human life. The love displayed by the Christian is what sets us apart. We may use deadly force but do so with much angst and trepidation.

 

[Strivax]

So, I am beginning to get the idea of this site, now. Guns, God, and Gays as targets.

As for the OP 'Is it proper for Christians to bear firearms?'; only until they are unnecessary, and Christians should do all they can do to make them unnecessary. The problem is, when everyone else has a gun, you are vulnerable if you don't have a gun, and despite the false sense of security of gun ownership, remain vulnerable until nobody has a gun*. And this social goal is best addressed by government, not by each individual looking after their own individual interests.

Best wishes, Strivax.

*Excepting, obviously, the military, police, and hunting, farming and pest control communities.

 

[South Bound]

Is it proper for Christians to bear firearms?

If they choose to

 

[Strivax]

Why not? What arguement would there be against it?

Hmmm. Maybe the fact that 60% of all non-conflict violent deaths world-wide are caused by small arms? That in America, with guns, there are 550% per head of population more murders than in the UK, without guns? That in the hands of a determined criminal, they are a force multiplier? That maybe some of those killed at Columbine, etc, would still be alive today if the shooter had been armed only with a kitchen knife?

Best wishes, Strivax.

 

[Darkhorse]

That maybe some of those killed at Columbine, etc, would still be alive today if the shooter had been armed only with a kitchen knife?

Maybe the use of guns at Columbine occupied the criminals enough to not use the propane tanks they had. But who cares? People who burn to death with a flame thrower or gas explosion aren't really dead...

Do you think some of the military and police might be Christians?

 

[PRESIDIO]

Hmmm. Maybe the fact that 60% of all non-conflict violent deaths world-wide are caused by small arms? That in America, with guns, there are 550% per head of population more murders than in the UK, without guns? That in the hands of a determined criminal, they are a force multiplier? That maybe some of those killed at Columbine, etc, would still be alive today if the shooter had been armed only with a kitchen knife?

Best wishes, Strivax.

Then of course there is Rwanda in the 90s where estimates are that 800,000 people were killed in about a month with machetes

 

[Sketcher]

The problem is, when everyone else has a gun, you are vulnerable if you don't have a gun, and despite the false sense of security of gun ownership, remain vulnerable until nobody has a gun*. And this social goal is best addressed by government, not by each individual looking after their own individual interests.


*Excepting, obviously, the military, police, and hunting, farming and pest control communities.

We live in a fallen world. That won't happen until Christ comes back.

 

[Servant68]

*Excepting, obviously, CRIMINALS, the military, police, and hunting, farming and pest control communities.

FIFY.