Twisted persons periodically shoot others in public spaces, then guns dominate the news coverage. Should guns be made illegal? What does the Bible say about guns?
Hi, I’m Rex Rogers and this is episode #169 of Discerning What Is Best, a podcast applying unchanging biblical principles in a rapidly changing world, and a Christian worldview to current issues and everyday life.
Guns have been a part of human existence for a long time. Gunpowder and early gun technology were invented in China during the 9th century, and by the 13th century firearms were common in Europe.
If you are an American who does not possess a gun, the police usually do, and bad guys certainly do.
Each time someone uses a gun to kill four or more people, excluding the shooter, it’s called a “mass shooting.” When these events occur, advocates are featured on media arguing guns are the primary source of these tragedies and recommending gun control, gun buy-backs, or gun confiscation as the only way to curtail mass shootings or murder in general. Some of these spokesmen say guns exist only to kill people and anyone who believes otherwise is immoral
So, what does the Bible say about guns? Short answer: nothing. Guns did not exist during biblical times.
While it’s true, the Word of God says nothing about guns, gun laws, or gun control, Scripture does talk about weapons, war, murder, self-defense, and even more importantly, God’s definition of morality, sin, law and order, and justice.
What then does God say?
- He said, fear of the Lord. Respect for others’ lives begins with respect for God.
- God made it clear human beings are made in his image, eternally valuable.
- Consequently, God said murder is always wrong.
- God also said problems in this world do not originate with our toys, nor with our tools, but develop out of our own sinful hearts.
- Because we live in a fallen, sinful world, evil exists, so God created government to curtail evil, gave us his moral law, and charged humanity with moral agency, meaning an ability to understand right and wrong and accountability to God to preserve life and do justice.
Because our hearts are deceitful and desperately sick, (Jer. 17:9), because “none is righteous, no, not one (Rom 3:10), human beings steal, lie, assault others, fight wars, and take human life. Consequently, self-defense is a moral consideration.
“The Bible records many accounts of wars, battles, and the use of weapons. Warfare is presented as an inevitable part of living in a fallen world (Mark 13:7, James 4:1), and weaponry is a necessary part of warfare…The Bible does not forbid the possession of weapons, and neither does it command such possession.”
“The Bible never condemns a person for carrying a weapon for self-defense (Neh. 4:15-23; Ezek. 33:1-9; Lk 22:35-38), though it does admonish those who are not prepared. It is noted in 1 Sam. 13:19-22 that as Israel was confronted with war with the Philistines, they had no spears or swords, only Saul and Jonathan had them.
It would appear the Israelites had to prepare their farm tools to be weapons (1 Sam 13:20). Even Jesus explained the necessity of self-defense, telling His disciples to be prepared as they departed from Him. He counseled them to bring their moneybags and knapsacks and also said, ‘And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one’" (Luke 22:35-38).
“The civil liberties of America have readily afforded people the right to "keep and bear arms,” as codified in the 2nd Amendment of the Bill of Rights. “And while the Bible does not say a person must keep a weapon, it permits a person to do so” (Rom 14:1-4).
“As far as the Bible is concerned…there is nothing unspiritual about owning a gun or knowing how to use one. There is nothing wrong with protecting oneself or loved ones, even if it involves the use of weapons.”
Dr. Mike Austin, author of God and Guns in America observed, “The vast majority of gun owners in the United States of America have never harmed another human being using a gun, and never will. People use guns for hunting, for sport, or for an absolute last resort in self-defense. The fact that criminals use guns to commit crimes does not mean guns are the problem. Criminals are the problem.
If all the guns in the world were taken away, criminals would find new ways to rob convenience stores, commit muggings, terrify people, and commit horrible atrocities and mass murders. No, gun control is not, in and of itself, the answer.”
“While incidents of mass murder via gun violence in the USA have increased dramatically in recent years, it is not due to guns suddenly becoming available. Guns have been readily available in the USA for most of its history. Something else has changed in the culture that is leading people to commit these horrible actions. We have to ask ourselves an important question. Why is it that only recently did people start committing mass murders at schools, bars, concerts, and shopping centers? Again, the guns have always been around. So, what changed?”
Our culture has come to believe any violence is bad, that guns are only instruments of killing, so we hear “violence leads to more violence.” Maybe. But there are times, in fact often, that violence, i.e., use of a gun, is the only thing that stops violence, stops evildoers. In this righteous use of violence via a gun, innocents are protected. Not to protect innocents when we could have done so is itself immoral.
“The core philosophical argument for a moral right to own a gun can be summarized as follows: we possess the right to life, which entails the right to self-defense, which in turn entails the right to a reasonable means of self-defense. Since firearms are a reasonable means of self-defense…it follows that there is a strong moral right to own and carry firearms for self-protection.”
Scripture notes, “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe” (Luke 11:21). Protecting our lives and our family’s lives is proper stewardship of what God gave us.
“Stricter laws are not a panacea. We need to address the culture of violence and death in the United States not only legally but also at the social, individual, and spiritual levels. A crucial way to do this is with the gospel of Jesus Christ, the gospel of life that also has implications for the issue of gun control.”
Now in this brief consideration about what the Bible say about guns, I’ve stayed close to Scripture, trying to present what the Word of God says, and allows us to conclude.
What I have not done is look at the practicality of gun control, i.e., that cities, like Chicago, with the most restrictive gun laws are still struggling with high murder rates, and that the history of countries where citizens’ guns have been removed is frequently a record of government tyranny.
Nor am I in any way trying to trivialize the use of guns in violence or dismiss deaths resulting from gun violence as inconsequential. Every human life matters. So, there’s nothing wrong with talking about our culture’s use of guns.
But of all the negative social trends present within American culture, guns are not at the top of the list.
Medicalizing or psychologizing or politicizing sin are greater threats. These trends intentionally redefine immoral, sinful choices as mental illness or environmentally determined or no longer a social concern (think legalized marijuana, eliminating the death penalty and cash bail, limiting prosecutions for low-level, nonviolent offenses and scaling back sentences, or not counting crimes that don’t fit the wished-for narrative).
If can’t call sin, sin, how can we expect to preserve liberty or attain justice or peace?
Guns are weapons capable of being used for ill or for good. The Bible places responsibility for the moral decisions involved in the hearts and hands of human beings. You are free not to own a gun, but those who choose to own a gun are not violating Scripture.
Well, we’ll see you again soon. This podcast is about Discerning What Is Best. If you find this thought-provoking and helpful, follow us on your favorite podcast platform. Download an episode for your friends. For more Christian commentary, check my website, r-e-x-m as in Martin, that’s rexmrogers.com. Or check //www.youtube.com/@DrRexRogers>">my YouTube channel @DrRexRogers for more podcasts and video.
And remember, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm.
© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2024
*This podcast blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact me or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com/, or connect with me at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers or https://x.com/RexMRogers.