Posted on 07/01/2009 3:44:48 AM PDT by marktwain
Last night, the Northwest Baptist Church, in Toledo, OH, held a rally celebrating the right to keep and bear arms, and spreading the message that the exercise of that right is in no way incompatible with Christian values.
The rally will point to numerous biblical references claiming Jesus Christ would support second amendment rights. "We're just informing our folks you got to be able to protect yourself and what does the Bible have to say about it. We know our constitution. But this is the final authority here above our Constitution is the word of God," said Reverend Andrew Edwards with the Northwest Baptist Church.
Near the beginning of the following video clip from WTOL 11 (the West Toledo CBS affiliate), a rather provocative question is posed by the newscaster:
Should Christians be allowed to carry guns?
I trust that he's referring to the question of the compatibility of armed self-defense and Christian values, rather than whether or not the laws regarding the keeping and bearing of arms should be different for people of differing religious faiths.
As one might have guessed, there were some with whom this rally did not sit well. The Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence (OCAGV) was particularly apoplectic.
“It is an embarrassment to people of faith that pray for peace and non-violence to have gun proponents use a house of worship to encourage the ownership and defend the use of weapons.
“Firearms are not sacred relics of worship. They are tools of violence- lethal products designed to kill and injure human beings, to destroy lives, and cause terror in our communities.
“Guns allow a person to decide who lives and who dies. It is absolutely immoral to suggest that the Bible supports violence. We need to reduce gun violence, not use fear to divide and distract us to the suffering caused by our gun culture.
There's more, but you get the idea.
What struck me about that press release was not the over-the-top emotionalism of the rhetoric, which is, after all, fairly typical for citizen disarmament propaganda. No, what floored me was the arrogance inherent to telling people that they're worshipping "wrongly," and that their church service is "immoral."
It seems that along with the right to keep and bear arms, even freedom of religion offends OCAGV.
“But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.”
Jesus
(Luke 22:36-38; cf. 2 Corinthians 11:26-27).
Luke 22:35-38 (King James Version)
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.
(...and then later that night...)
Luke 22:47-54 (King James Version)
47 And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?
53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.
Near the beginning of the following video clip from WTOL 11 (the West Toledo CBS affiliate), a rather provocative question is posed by the newscaster:
Should Christians be allowed to carry guns?
If Christians did not carry or use weapons, the newscaster would likely be speaking with either a British accent or speaking German or Japanese.
People like him are morons and have no idea of history.
If Christians were not allowed to carry guns then over half the current Police officers working acrossthe Nation would disappear overnight..
If Christians were not allowed to carry guns then our military would be decimated.
As a Chrisitan I pray for peace.
As a Christian American I have fought for it both as a soldier and a police officer. Both of whom use weapons.
I wouldn't make that assumption.
Christians should have their sword(s) ready: “ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: “ - Ephesian 6:13
I find it strange that those with the least interest in God are the first to tell us what the bible says and what Jesus meant
Luke 22:36 is the passage that got my attention...
but even a more simple understanding, although not 'Christian', would be the well know childrens story of David vs Goliath...seems one small projectile from one small man, with the help of God, slays a monster...
but the Bible never speaks of violence .......BBBBWWWWAAHAHAHAHAHA...
Once upon a time, Christians were fed to the lions as sport by a totalitarian government that was threatened by our existence...
Once upon a time, The Bolsheviks/communists/International Socialists slaughtered the Clergy and the Christians in Russia...because they were threatened by our existence...
Once upon a time, The National Socialists slaughtered the Clergy and the Christians in Germany...because they were threatened by our existence..
Once upon a time, The Chinese Communsits slaughtered the Clergy and the Christians in China...because they were threatened by our existence...
Once upon a time, The Islamic freaks slaughtered the Clergy and the Christians in the Middle East...because they were threatened by our existence...
Once upon a time, The Turkish Islamic freaks slaughtered the Clergy and the Christians in Armenia...because they were threatened by our existence...
That’s NOT going to happen again - not here, not now. To quote the Israelis - NEVER AGAIN.
Life is a gift from God. To NOT defend your life is akin to suicide - “Self-Killing” - and is to spit on the gift that God gave you. You have a duty, obligation, and responsibility to protect yourself, your loved ones, and those innocents around you.
And your civilization - ESPECIALLY the LAST Christian Civilization on the planet.
And if that frightens the other side - too bad. WE’RE not the ones pushing the issue.
Probaly the best thing I'll read all day.
In all honesty, I think it was the late, great J. Vernon McGee who actually said that... or something very close to it! But it stuck with me and so I repeated it here. I think it’s very true though!...THANKFULLY! :-)
How else would one interpret Exodus 22:2-3?
(2)If a thief is found(B) breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, (3)but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him.How much more clearly could the Bible support the use of deadly force against thieves caught in the act?
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