I believe in arming ourselves as a precaution and in the Second Amendment as a stronger protection than the First Amendment. The First is worded as a fairly strong "Congress shall make no law" while the Second is worded as the even stronger "shall not be infringed." The Second is an absolute, and I believe in it as the surest guarantee of freedom, but only for so long as we take personal responsibility for defending freedom.
"But I will tell you more than I believe in my rights, I believe in the responsibilities that we have to God. And God does not call anyone to anger. God does not call anyone to vengeance ever, ever, ever."
I read the Bible differently.
Luke 22:36,38 "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. And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough."
To me, that says clearly that there are times to fight ("he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one"; although there are times not to fight as when Jesus was arrested) but that fighting should only be a last resort, in moderation (here are two swords . . . it is enough). Fighting, even with deadly weapons, is not necessarily about vengeance, and it is not necessarily forbidden.
Fighting, even with deadly weapons, is not necessarily about vengeance, and it is not necessarily forbidden.
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It is a last recourse. But it IS a recourse.
“Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war...”