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Should Christians Pack Heat?

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Should Christians Pack Heat?

by John Miller 8 comments
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Should Christians Pack Heat?

MP3 Audio (26.09 MB)
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One of the most cherished liberties enumerated in the Bill of Rights is in direct contradiction with one of the Fundamental Beliefs of the Church of God since apostolic times. Bearing arms is a constitutional right. What is the biblical position?

Comments

  • ugotscot
    Scott Whitaker
    The parable of the Good Samaritan. If you stumble upon a man not after he has fallen among thieves, but while he is in the midst of it, what is your responsibility? Turn the other cheek. Jesus said to do these things so that we can be like his father in heaven. He did not say if a man rapes your wife, let him rape her again. You cannot find that anywhere in the Bible. Resist evil, but use wisdom. 1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; Ecc3:1-3 Why, why is there a time to kill? If there is a time to heal following a time to kill, then we understand we are talking about humans. 21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: Matthew5:21 SHALL BE in danger of being judged? If killing were never permissable, that would be written differently. 2 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. Ex22:2
  • ugotscot
    Scott Whitaker
    Having grown up in the Church, Mr. Miller's point of view is what I held as my belief for decades. It's not until one stumbles upon other scripture that for some reason in the Church, we never address. I assume because the ministry is only doing what they were taught back from the time of HWA, and that belief has just been passed down. I always want to assume the best intentions, so I want to believe that this oversight by the ministry is not done intentionally. Bearing arms is not the only topic where many scriptures have been overlooked. When speaking of war, I believe that the teaching of the Church is correct and can be absolutely substantiated in the Bible. If one signs up for military service, they are knowingly going into a situation where they have accepted the fact that they may have to kill someone. This in its essence is pre-meditated. Defending yourself or your family is an entirely different matter. There are just too many scriptures and scenarios in the Bible to deny that fact. I will point a few of these out in a second post since I have used almost all of my 1200 characters in this one.
  • Patrick Nielander
    Patrick J. Nielander
    Most scriptures are interpreted by ministers of all faiths to justify their particular understanding and personal belief systems. The commandment root word is thou shall not “murder.“ The Bible has many examples of killing. Had David killed Goliath today there would be shirts saying “Giants Lives Matter.” He would have been tried, convicted, and placed in prison. One cannot truthfully declare killing in defense is wrong or carrying a gun is wrong spiritually. It can only be done by personal justification of twisting of scripture. Different Bible interpretations of scripture is why there are so many COG splinter groups today. If all COG church leaders practiced what they preach, we would be one with each other. Vanity and egos prevent this at this time in history.
  • dhenry
    Deb Henry
    Well done and much needed! Thank you!
  • thesmiley
    T Smiley
    Well done. Very well done. A bold and brave message.
  • bhuitema
    Bart Huitema
    I agree, Rob. The Bible prophesied that Christ would be brought as a lamb to the slaughter (Isa 53:7). That seems like motivation enough to keep his disciples from fighting. It's certainly not a blanket statement commanding every Christian to disarm. Then Christ "took Peter's sword." But he gave him the sword to begin with! For self-defense! And that seems to be the main problem here, conflating murder and self-defense. The Bible clearly shows that a Christian has a right and duty to protect himself and his family. No, you don't avenge, you don't kill in anger, you don't kill with premeditation (as in war), but you don't have to stand still and watch while someone is trying to kill you and your loved ones.
  • Tina Cason
    Tina Cason
    Thank you for this wonderful reminder. Excellent sermon.
  • robkeeney
    Rob Keeney
    His abuse of John 18:35 is as bad as a Sunday keeper insisting that Acts 10 means we can eat pork. It's painfully wrong.

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