The last few weeks have been troubling to me. While the Newtown tragedy was horrific, I’ve found the time following to be equally tragic. [Edit, January 8: Danny Sims called my hand on this bit of hyperbole. He’s right. That statement is unjustified. Improper discourse does not equal the horrors of the Newtown tragedy.]
I’m a little surprised that society wasn’t able to come to a greater understanding of the issues surrounding guns.
I’m dumbfounded at what I’ve seen in Christians. The discussions on social media have been disappointing at best. (And yes, I’ve been disappointed with myself at times)
Amidst all the noise, I’ve heard some convincing arguments from different points of view. I wish more of them had been based on spiritual reasons, but that doesn’t keep them from having some logic behind them. So I’ve got no pronouncements about no guns, more guns, fewer laws, more laws.
But I do have some suggestions for Christians who choose to own guns:
- Remember what our priorities are, things like justice, mercy and peacemaking. Your reasons for owning a gun shouldn’t be about freedoms, rights or protecting your property.
- Remember that guns are instruments of death, and death is an enemy of God. Guns are not to be loved, cherished, nor bragged about. They are tools.
- Let the thought of using your gun against a human being fill you with dread and sadness. Thoughts of vengeance and triumph should be left to people of the world; having to use a gun would be a tragedy.
- Never practice shooting with human-shaped targets.
- Base your reasons for gun ownership on God’s Word, not any human documents. It was not the Bill of Rights that Moses brought down from Sinai, nor the Declaration of Independence which Jesus proclaimed to his followers.
- Be sure that your decisions are not led by human organizations, be it the Democratic Party, the NRA, the ACLU or the Tea Party. None of those organizations, nor others like them, have as their primary goal the glorification of God.
- Owning a gun is a great responsibility. Your guns should be secured so that others cannot get to them.
Those are some thoughts I have to share. Do you have others? Are there some listed here that you feel should be left out or changed in some way? I’d like to hear your thoughts.
Well said. And Amen.
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These are very helpful reminders that Christians must hear. What you are getting at is to make sure that our owning of guns (I own hunting rifles) is not rooted in and sustained by idolatry. When we place our guns and the right to own our guns above the imperative of the gospel, we then have bowed down to an idol.
I would add too that fear should never be the motive for owning guns, as the most numerous command in scripture is “fear not.” However, at the risk of sounding self-contradicatory, I will qualify that and say that there can be a difference between fear and protection as a motive for owning and carrying a gun. For example, if you are hiking through Grizzly Bear territory, it’s probably wise to carry a .357 magnum and that can be done as a measure of protection without being motivated by fear. Likewise the same would be true for those who serve as police officers.
Any ways, I am glad you shared these thoughts.
Grace and Peace,
Rex
Tim, amen and amen. However, I am perplexed about your bullet point (no pun intended) #5. Exactly where in Scripture is gun ownership discussed? I am curious as to if you had a particular passage, or theme, or general concept in your mind when you framed that particular point.
As always, thanks for the considered and even-handed approach.
Paul
Paul,
Obviously no direct mention of gun ownership in the Bible. Some point to Jesus’ words about buying a sword, as well as Old Testament passages like Exodus 22:2 that talk about defending yourself against a thief.
Tim
Tim, I’m most concerned that many Christians are more excited and passionate about spreading the good news of guns (protecting their 2nd amendment rights) than they are about spreading the good news of Christ. Not all, but too many. How do we want others to view us? As pro-gun or pro-Christ? People will make that decision based on what we share of ourselves. I am not anti-gun by any means, but am concerned at the bravado being shown by some Christians in the form of “if someone breaks into my house, I’ll blow them away.” It’s almost like they’re hoping it happens. I like Rex’s thought on guns as idols and think that’s important for us to keep in mind. I also think we lose sight of the fact that Christ has told us to turn the other cheek when others wrong us, that when someone demands something from us, we give more than they expect, and that ultimately, God sees everything we go through and He will exact vengeance on all those who harm His children. Fear not. Love more. Thanks for the thought-provoking post.
Tim, thanks. Just a note about Ex. 22 – there is a specific mention of the crime of burglary happening before and after sunrise. If the thief is killed (by an act of self-defense) before sunrise, there is no blood guilt. If, however, the thief is killed after sunrise there is bloodguilt. I wonder how many gun owners lock their guns up between the hours of sunrise and sunset? Just wonderin’ …
Amen! Well said, Tim!
This is one of your best, Tim. You’ve given me some meat to chew on as I consider my intent as the owner of pistol.
Very well said, Tim. Thanks. Rather than commenting more I just want to pass it on for others to read.
Good thoughts. I will respectfully disagree with point 1, 2, and 4. Why? 1. Justice, mercy for others, and peacemaking come from someone properly owning and using a gun for those exact reasons. Protection of myself, my family, or others is justified. To lose that right takes away my responsibility as a Christian father and husband to provide life and protection. From that standpoint it is a right, even outside of the Constitution. But our Constituion has enforced that human right legally. 2. Guns are instruments/tools of life. They save lives. I would shoot to save a life…not to take a life. They are not gods to be worshiped. Shooting and hunting is a sport as well and as with any sport or hobbie Christians can engage in enjoying it and “showing off” their skill, ability, or equipment as with any sport without evil intent or thought. 4. Shooting at human targets is for the purpose of training and being responsible. It mentally prepares one for the unthinkable, but possiblity. I’d right to be responsible to be conditioned or trained to save lives than to not be responsibly trained and hurt someone unintentially. I don’t think Christian law enforcement officers or Christians in our military are wrong or sinful for using human targets.
Sorry…”It’s right to be responsible…….”
Sam, I hope your post was in jest – kind of an super ironic tour-de-force. If you were serious you have just reinforced everything that I despise about the NRA and those who blindly follow the blind. I will just say that if you are serious you have much to learn about the difference between a God who would suffer on the cross and a ink stained, humanistic piece of paper.
Paul
Thanks, Sam, for the thoughts.
Let me look at your points.
1) You don’t deal with what was said in point 1, so I’m left wondering what your disagreement was. I did not say that having peace, justice and mercy as priorities precludes the ownership of guns. I also talked about protection of property not protection of your loved ones, so that’s not what you were disagreeing with. What was it again?
2) Guns are not instruments of life. You cannot shoot a dead body and make it alive. It’s possible that the death they bring (or threaten) may protect a life, but guns themselves are NOT instruments of life.
4) I respectfully disagree. Many people in many places have trained by shooting at bottles, bullseyes and other targets. We don’t need to be conditioned to shoot at human targets without thinking of them as people made in the image of God. We don’t need to be desensitized to the horrors of shooting another human. There is nothing about shooting at human targets that makes you less likely to injure someone.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
So sorry…Meant to include number 5 as well. Obviously a mistake. Serious apology.
I can’t count the bullet points ….number 6 is what I meant to include, not 5. I have dislexia and am extremely tired today. Thanks Tim. After rereading comment number 1 again I guess the only thing we may disagree with on that point is my right to life, which would allow me the freedom of means by which it should be protected. I think that’s a good reason to own a gun for personal and family protection. I took it that any ‘rights’ were not a good reason to own a firearm. I would disagree with that. We agree that protection of property is not a reason to use a weapon. On ‘weapons of life’ statement…it’s preserves and protects life and in that context is an instrument of life. That’s the only reason to use a firearm. You also do not have to kill in order to stop agression of another in using a gun. We’ll simply disagree on the targets. It doesn’t matter to me what one uses. Hope I cleared that up for you both. Sincerely yours, Sam
So sorry…Meant to include number 6 as well. Obviously a mistake. Serious apology.
I can’t count the bullet points ….number 6 is what I meant to include, not 5. I have dislexia and am extremely tired today. Thanks Tim. After rereading comment number 1 again I guess the only thing we may disagree with on that point is my right to life, which would allow me the freedom of means by which it should be protected. I think that’s a good reason to own a gun for personal and family protection. I took it that any ‘rights’ were not a good reason to own a firearm. I would disagree with that. We agree that protection of property is not a reason to use a weapon. On ‘weapons of life’ statement…it’s preserves and protects life and in that context is an instrument of life. That’s the only reason to use a firearm. You also do not have to kill in order to stop agression of another in using a gun. We’ll simply disagree on the targets. It doesn’t matter to me what one uses. Hope I cleared that up for you both. Sincerely yours, Sam
Hi Sam,
Thanks for the clarification. I guess my point is that killing another to preserve my rights doesn’t seem to fit the New Testament model, which talks more about surrendering rights than it does fighting to protect them.
I guess I’m more literal as far as “instrument of death” and “instrument of life.” I’m talking about directly causing one or the other. A gun cannot cause life. It can cause death. That’s what I’m saying. That death that a gun causes/threatens is something opposite of our God, who is life. Obviously, there were times in the Bible when God’s people were called to bring about death, so I’m not saying it’s always immoral. But even in the Old Testament, coming into contact with a dead body caused spiritual uncleanness. God wants us to recognize the seriousness of killing.
Grace and peace,
Tim
Thanks Tim. I personally agree with the targets. It amazes me the number of people who are militant gun control people…coming out of the Hollywood movie industry! I took an 11 year old to “Game Stop” the other day to return a video game that was defective. He wanted to get a vicious game of simulated killing. When I told him he couldn’t while he was with me, he couldn’t believe it. He didn’t believe me when I told him my kids were banned from playing any game where people kill people. The boy wound up not getting any game, and was going to wait until his mom brought him. Any guess why? (The boy’s family was not Christians.) The link between violence for entertainment and violence in life is real… amazing that it has been so much ignored in this whole debate. Regardless of where people stand on the gun issue…violence ought to sadden us.
Thanks for a good article and great thoughts.
Danny
Tim,
I know it has been a few days since you posted this blog. I read it with great interest that day and have re-read it several times. I also have read comments posted by others. The one person I most agree with was Sandra Bird (our mutual friend), as most others were in total agreement with you. I also agreed with Sam and Rex for the most part. But, when that Grizzly rears its ugly head and charges you at 35 mph, FEAR FOR YOUR LIFE is the motivation for using the .357.
I am concerned that more did not offer more challenging thoughts. Your comments lead me to believe you are NOT in favor of gun ownership. Though you did not state that specifically, it seems to be apparent from your thoughts. That is fine. It is your “right” and I will not challenge that. If on the other hand, you do own a firearm of some kind, you offered no real Biblical justification for it yourself. And, it did not help those of us who do own guns in formulating a Biblical reason.
I lived in the same community in south Texas (Stockdale) for over 7 years as you did a few years ago. You and I have worked with the same wonderful Christians in that town. I personally have hunted with Mike Coon, Clint McGuffin, Wade and Perry Rutland and possibly others. These were some of my fondest recreational memories. These are fine Christians who, like many others and myself, have owned guns all their lives and may have given little or no thought about any supposed Biblical reasons for doing so. We just enjoy having them. We grew up in homes that had them. We learned to use and respect them. They were tools our parents used to teach us about responsibility. And, we believe it is our right to own them as provided by the U. S. Constitution, just as you have the same right NOT to own one if you so chose. As for Biblical reasons, it must fall into the area of Christian liberty.
Your title, “If you chose to own a gun”, focuses on gun ownership – not so much the use of the guns you own. But, obviously, that gets into the discussion as well. There are many legitimate reasons people have for owning guns. Some for sport (hunting), or simply target shooting. I know several folks who enjoy shooting targets (skeet, trap, etc) who have no interest in hunting. Others collect guns they do not shoot, like someone would collect coins, stamps, etc. Some like old “vintage” guns just like some folks enjoy classical music and old movies. (I have an old double-barrelled 12 gauge shotgun that belonged to my grandfather. I would never shoot it. But I think it looks nice on my wall at home and reminds me of him.) Some buy them as investment vehicles, to buy, sell and trade to make a profit. And of course there are those who own an arsenal to protect themselves from the law because they are law breakers. So, please do not lump all gun owners in the same category. The majority of gun owners are law-abiding citizens who have no intention of harming others. They may or may not have any religious leanings and thus may not have any Biblical reasons for owning their guns.
The real issue, as I see it, is what do I do with the guns I have? What is my intended purpose for owning them?
I want to address your points one by one:
1- You wrote: “Remember what our priorities are, things like justice, mercy and peacemaking. Your reasons for owning a gun shouldn’t be about freedoms, rights or protecting your property.” Our priorities are to love the Lord with all our heart soul and mind and our neighbor as ourselves. Our neighbor is anyone in need. Property is stuff – stuff can be replaced. Lives cannot. Though the criminal may technically be labeled “my neighbor,” my love for my wife and children (my closest neighbors) supersedes my love for that criminal who wants my property to support his criminal lifestyle (probably motivated by drugs). If the lives of me and my family are endangered by him I believe it is my God-given responsibility to protect those lives.
(PS. I thought Sam dealt with your point #1. Your point, the way it is worded, leads one to believe that justice, mercy and peacemaking and gun ownership are antithetical or mutually exclusive. You can have one or the other, but not both. That type of language is misleading and is a mark of the liberal anti-gun agenda.)
2- “Remember that guns are instruments of death, and death is an enemy of God. Guns are not to be loved, cherished, nor bragged about. They are tools.”
Guns are no more instruments of death than an automobile or airplane. Someone can steal a car or hijack a plane and kill many people. And, some studies show more deaths are caused by hammers and knives than by guns. So should we have the same concern for owning them? Even Samson used the jaw-bone of an ass to kill 1,ooo Philistines. So, when it comes to gun ownership, it is not the tool that is the issue, it is the mind, heart and hand of the one using it. (Guns do not kill, people kill – and they will use whatever means available if they intend to do so.) The anti-gun debate is fueled by many “jawbones of asses” and that will result in many more deaths than gun ownership will.
3- “Let the thought of using your gun against a human being fill you with dread and sadness. Thoughts of vengeance and triumph should be left to people of the world; having to use a gun would be a tragedy.”
Yes it would be a tragedy. I would certainly hate to be put in a position to have to use deadly force upon someone else. But this is not about vengeance and triumph. This is about protection of innocent lives from the wicked. ( I have given my wife and children instructions on when, where and under what circumstances they should use deadly force. If you are interested in those, I will share them.) And what about the “people of the world.” Would they not be guilty of sin as well when they meet out vengeance? Implied in all of this is that we should not attempt to convert everyone, so there will still be people of the world (non-Christians) to render vengeance on the wicked. Really? So a Christian can not serve in law enforcement or as a criminal judge. ( I know, that may be a stretch. But it is a thought I had.)
4- “Never practice shooting with human-shaped targets.”
Targets are targets. I do not think this is relevant. I can shoot at a target of concentric circles, tin cans, bottles, etc and have the same intention – hit what I aim at. Archers often use animal shaped targets to practice. But, even that is not necessary to be proficient.
5- “Base your reasons for gun ownership on God’s Word, not any human documents. It was not the Bill of Rights that Moses brought down from Sinai, nor the Declaration of Independence which Jesus proclaimed to his followers.”
So, when I choose to purchase a gun do I need “book, chapter and verse” reasoning for it. Let’s suppose I choose NOT to own a gun, but I still keep my archery equipment (bows and arrows with razor sharp broadheads), knives, baseball bat or other items around for protection, do you think I still need a definite “thus saith the Lord” for that? I know Col. 3:17 says “whatsoever you do”. The same reasons for owning bow and arrows, knives, baseball bats etc would apply to guns – it falls into the realm of Christian liberty – neither moral or immoral. The Word of God is silent on the issue. Again it is a ‘heart issue.’ What do I intend to do with the gun(s) (or whatever) that I own?
6- “Be sure that your decisions are not led by human organizations, be it the Democratic Party, the NRA, the ACLU or the Tea Party. None of those organizations, nor others like them, have as their primary goal the glorification of God.”
And that is true. Some of these organizations are radical. However, I should not let well intentioned but misinformed brothers or sisters in Christ by my guide either. I should not fall into line with the liberal anti-gun lobby (modern Pharisees in this case). When the blind lead the blind, we both know what happens.
7- “Owning a gun is a great responsibility. Your guns should be secured so that others cannot get to them.”
Yes, it is a great responsibility to own a gun. But so it is to own an automobile. I should keep the keys away from little children who may try to drive mine. On the other hand, someone can steal my car, commit a crime with it and injure or kill someone else. Or an individual who is DUI w/ alcohol or other drugs can collide with me and injure or kill me. That does not make the car an “instrument of death.” It was the person behind the wheel.
Now that I have responded to your 7 points, let me take this a step further. You and I know the only way to curb violence of any and all kinds in this world is with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That message and that message alone is the only power we have to change the hearts of sinful man. (Even Jeffrey Dahmer submitted to that gospel and was forgiven before he was killed.) We do need more declaration of the Gospel than we do of “spreading the good news of guns” (as per Travis).
I still believe man is made in the image of God. I also believe God put into man a desire, need and right for self-preservation. Otherwise, when we are threatened, we would just roll over and be killed without any fight or attempt to flea. If God created us with the hormones for “fight or flight” then he expects us to defend ourselves (and our loved ones whom He gave us ) from evil and wickedness. (Remember the charging Grizzly Bear? Fear can and should motivate us to protect ourselves. Even Jesus and David and Paul fled when their lives were in danger.).
IF NOT, then I should just leave my door open at night and put a sign out in my yard inviting the burglar in to take whatever he wishes and not defend myself if he should seek to take my life. (Oh, btw, do you lock your house? Do you have an alarm system? Is owning a gun inconsistent with doing those things?) And if he wishes to rape my wife or daughter, should I just stand by and let him without protecting them. I suppose I could invite him to sit down with me at the table and have a Bible study with me before he did that. Maybe that would stop the violence. Think so?
Anyway, I just wanted to share with you my response. You may want to put your thoughts back in the oven to bake a little longer. Or, maybe I need to. Whatever. It is all offered in love. Thanks for generating some thought provoking ideas.
Brotherly, Steve H.
Thanks, Steve, for the response. I obviously can’t go into a detailed response to such a lengthy comment. Let me hit a few points.
I meant what I said in the post, that I’ve heard convincing arguments from both sides. I also realize there are a wide variety of gun uses; that’s one reason I can’t envision a total ban on guns. I personally don’t/won’t own guns.
Let’s talk about the points:
1) The fact that you and Sam misread my point #1 does not mean that’s what it’s saying. The fact that the whole things is about “if you own a gun” and it says “your reasons for owning a gun…” show that my points is NOT against gun ownership. From the rest of what you said, you seem to agree with me. Again, nothing was said about protecting people not being a valid reason for owning a gun. (And if you’re going to think in terms of “liberal” and “conservative,” you’re going to misread a lot on this blog. Labels hinder understanding.)
2) Guns are for causing death. Why in the world do people try and deny such an obvious fact? There aren’t many things in this world that ONLY have that purpose. Guns are one of them. Note: carrying a gun is not always with the intent of causing death. Sometimes the threat of being able to cause death is an effective tool. I’m guessing people get all worked up about that point because they think that’s an argument against guns. It’s not. It’s merely a reminder of their nature.
3) OK, so you say that it is a tragedy and it’s not about meting out vengeance nor about triumph. In other words, you just agreed down the line with what I wrote. Steve, you’re making assumptions about my beliefs, then arguing against those assumptions. I didn’t say there’s never a time when you might take a life. I said, well, exactly what you said, for Pete’s sake. As for the rest, yes, dealing out vengeance is a sin. I think we can state that pretty categorically. “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)
4) No need for human targets. They are not just targets. Human beings were created in the image of God. Bull’s eyes weren’t.
5) If you can’t think of biblical reasons for owning a gun, you shouldn’t own one. But you’ve already stated several. (“Book, chapter, verse” is more about proof texting than it is about finding biblical reasons.) If we can’t find biblical principles beyond the literal statements of the Bible, we’re left without guidance in the vast majority of our life. Again, I’m not denying that biblical reasons exist, principles of protection of the weak, protection of family, etc.
6) We’re in agreement.
7) The fact that you would raise an objection to that point is frightening.
About the reasoning at the end, remember that our instincts, hormones, etc. are part of what the Bible calls the flesh. Arguing based on those things does not strengthen your argument. The works of the flesh lead to death and destruction.
It’s quite a leap to go from locking one’s door to being willing to take a life. As is: you don’t want to own a gun so you’d let somebody rape your wife in your presence. Neither of those arguments deserves an answer.
My thoughts do need more baking. They are in transition. I admitted that at the beginning of the article. I’m studying and learning. But I’ve heard nothing that beings to move me away from the statements I made in this post. Especially replies that seemed based more on reactions to what others are saying than to what I’ve actually written. Steve, you agreed with a large part of what I wrote, but felt the need to “argue” with it anyway. That should make you stop and think.
Grace and peace,
Tim
Tim,
I respectfully thank you for your reply to my comments. Apparently I misunderstood you and you likewise misunderstood me on some points. (At least we seemed to agree on #6). Several possible reasons for that, probably my fault mostly. I am just a country boy from Texas and have a limited education (BBA Bus. Mgt. – UTTyler; Certificate from Brown Trail School of Preaching; no advanced degrees). So you and I may not be communicating on the same level.
I really thought I understood what you were saying. In your response to me you make it clear you are “NOT against gun ownership.” You sure fooled me. I came away from your original blog thinking you must be against it. You said we should base our reasoning for gun ownership on God’s Word not man’s documents (pnts. #1 & #5). But you did not offer any biblical reasons. Apparently you must have had some in mind if you feel a Christian can own a gun. Why didn’t you come out and say at first “I am NOT against gun ownership.” That would have helped me a lot. Your response did mention “principles of protection of the weak, protection of family, etc.” As you said, I mentioned those. If you had mentioned them first, I may not have misunderstood you so badly. (Btw, you misunderstood me on #5, I really did not mean a literal “book, chapter and verse” or “thus saith the Lord”. Bible based principles will do.)
So you insist your thoughts are only about “gun ownership” and nothing else. Again I must have misunderstood. I thought protecting property (#1) would include myself and others. If it does not, then I guess I agree with you on that point. On #2, guns are instruments of death. That is their primary function. But your whole tone of the blog left the idea in my mind that gun ownership was evil (“death is the enemy of God”). But for uses of hunting and sport shooting guns are beneficial. If gun ownership is all you had in mind, the discussion should stop here ( and include #7 also). I believe a person can own however many guns of whatever kind he chooses, if it is just about “ownership.”
On #3 you leave “gun ownership” and move to “using a gun against a human.” Now the discussion is NOT just about “gun ownership” as you insisted. It is now about “gun use.” You are the one who opened this door of discussion, not I. This point, along with #4 (“practice shooting with human-shaped targets”) should be left off of your list of 7 if “gun-ownership” is the only thought of this blog.
We agree on #6.
I did NOT raise an objection to #7. Again you misunderstood. I just emphasized the need to be responsible with everything, guns, cars, etc. Anything in the wrong hands can turn out disastrous. I am 56 years old and had guns in every house where I have lived. They were never locked up. We saw no need. I could not afford a gun safe. (I can now and plan to get one soon. But this is to prevent theft.) Being responsible does not necessarily mean “lock and key.” It also involves education and training. Your thought that I objected to pnt #7 frightened you. Why?
And in my concluding remarks, I may have gotten a little emotional and thus carried away in my thinking. I suppose I should save those thoughts for your upcoming blog, “If You Choose to Shoot a Gun.”
Going back to #1, this really is about “freedoms and rights” as well as “justice, mercy and peacemaking.” Where is the justice and mercy for those 20 children who were killed in Newtown or for those killed at Columbine or VA Tech, or in other similar incidents? Had one or more of the teachers, principles or others at those campuses been trained and armed, maybe at least some lives would have been spared. Protecting lives is an act of mercy and peacekeeping (at least in my book).
We live in a country founded on principles of freedom and justice, based on the Bible as our guide. We were granted the freedoms of press, assembly, worship, to name a few. Now, we are facing a time when these freedoms are being chipped away at, little by little. Today, our Pres. will make some “recommendations” about gun-control. I fear what he may declare. This country that has been “the land of the free” is in danger of being turned upside down. I have thought about getting a 30 round clip for my semi-auto Ruger 10/22. (That, btw, is NOT an assault rifle.) I wanted it for convenience in target and hunting situations. After today, I may not be able to get one. (Who decides the definitions of “high capacity magazine?” I might think 50+ rounds would be a good definition as apposed to 10 rounds.) I don’t want a dictator in some “ivory palace” telling me what guns I can own or not own.
Today the issue may be guns. Tomorrow it may be worse. We already see abortion and homosexual “rights” and some unreasonable “health care” plan being pushed down our throats. How long will it be before some “dictator” decides how many children we can have and what gender we will be allowed to have. Will “executive order” enforce infanticide to curb population growth? Or, will marriage between man and beast be allowed at some point (Don’t laugh, this is a distinct possibility). These issues and many others have to do with our Faith in God and how we are to serve Him.
I know “this world is not my home” and because of that we cry “Come, Lord Jesus!” I also know we are to pray for our leaders that we will continue to be able to live in peace and be able to continue to serve our Lord and Savior as He commands (1 Tim. 2:1, 2). But, if things continue in the direction they are headed currently, our “rights and freedoms” will be removed and we will not be able to minister “justice, mercy and peace” to those who are weak. God is the father, helper and reliever of the fatherless (Ps. 10:14; 68:5;146:9) and the weak. I suspect He wants us to do likewise (James 1:27). We could find ourselves in a 21st century Sodom. We could live under a cruel dictator such as Herod the Great, Nero or Domitian. But, in the meantime, let us take a stand against evil and support these “rights and freedoms” so we can continue to minister “justice, mercy and peace.”
This is all I will say and all you will see from me on this topic. Thank you for the opportunity to share in this discussion. I wish I could have shared some ideas with you that were more challenging myself. But it seems you have your mind made up. And I am thankful we agree on some points at least. You have seen nothing that moves you away from your original post. Just try to be clearer so us E. TX boys can understand what you mean.
One more thought. In case you have never tried it (and you may have, I wouldn’t know), I invite you to take a day and spend it at a good gun range. Shoot a few rounds at some targets. Try to bust some 4″ clay discs flying at 40 mph with a scattergun. You just might find that you enjoy the challenge. Might even be more fun that golf or tennis or whatever else you do for recreation. I do love you, brother.
Have a great day and continue to pray for our great USA.
Blessings,
Steve
Steve,
Some thoughts:
Probably enough on all of that. The other issues (political activism, Christians and government, etc.) have been written about a lot on this blog. None of that can be rehashed quickly.
Grace and peace,
Tim