I have never shot a gun, nor have I owned one. I have friends and family who love and own guns, and I have friends and family hate and despise them. As a Christian, I am committed to peaceful resolution of conflict, but I also defend one’s right to defend oneself. I believe that America is based on the rule of law founded on the Constitution, and that rule of law allows for certain freedoms and rights, such as the right to bear arms. I also believe that gun owners should have to earn a license and take classes so they can be proficient and safe. We have to do this to drive a car; why would any sane person not want gun owners to learn these things?
I have also heard a number of people and pundits proclaim the idea that owning a gun is a God-given right. I have asked them what that means, and nobody has given me a satisfying answer. This idea cannot in any way be based on the Bible, since guns did not exist then. Jesus told Peter to put his sword away, and Jesus chose to accept death at the hands of the Romans rather than rally His disciples to fight back. It was the expectation, we believe, of His disciples that Jesus was in the line of David (Jesus denied this) and would lead them to war against the oppressive Roman Empire. This was not the case. Some proponents of this idea of gun ownership as a God-given right point to the Constitution; they believe that this document proves that we are a Christian nation, and therefore every right and privilege in it is given to us by God. Never mind that neither God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit are mentioned, and religion itself only appears twice – once as a warning against religious tests to hold public office, and once as a provision that protects individual freedom to practice – or not practice – the religion of one’s choice.
I will always defend a citizen’s right to own a gun legally, but there is no foundation in Scripture that supports the idea that this right is God-given. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? You bet. Freedom to protest and speak out in public peacefully? Absolutely. To carry a weapon and use it to intimidate? Never. Gun ownership, like marriage, is regulated by the rule of law, not the laws of God. And just because you believe otherwise doesn’t make it so. We really should stop blaming God for every little thing we believe.
Prayer – Holy God, we apologize for blaming You for things that aren’t Your fault. We beg Your forgiveness. Amen.
Today’s art is believed to be by the notorious Banksy.