Good Morning, Meetpastordan Readers…I doubt that I would get much push-back if I referred to this as a crazy, whacko, _____ (you can add your own adjective) world in which we live. Just when we think the news can’t get any more crazy and bizarre, sure enough it does! I’ve heard many exclaim that they are turning off the news, their TV’s, and even moving away from their social media sources because they just can’t stand listening to the vile diatribes and sheer hatred that defines those outlets. No doubt we are living in the era that was described by the prophet Isaiah a few thousand years ago: “ Woe be to those who say evil is good and good is evil; that dark is light and light is dark; that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. Destruction is certain for those who take bribes and pervert justice. They let the wicked go free while punishing the innocent.” (Isaiah 5:20,23) There is no doubt that what once was considered honorable, sacred, and even worshiped is now mocked and ridiculed, while what used to be perverted, disgusting, or downright shameful is basking in today’s cultural spotlight!
Never in my lifetime have differences of opinion been so divisive and explosive, even leading to the separation of family and friends. The middle-ground that many people used to choose seems to be nonexistent, because either you are for this and hate that, or you hate this and support that. There is virtually no compromise today! No wonder anxiety, fear, and doubt are at epidemic proportions.
I’ve set this blog up with that background because I feel that probably no subject has garnered more controversy than the subject of conceal and carry…and especially the matter of conceal and carry in the church. I have chosen to write about this based on a radio interview I heard last week on Bott Radio, a Christian radio station. Here is the scenario.
The radio station interviewed a Bishop from a particular denomination in rural North Carolina who, based on the massacre that occurred at a church in Texas a few weeks ago, asked the members of his congregation who had conceal and carry permits to bring their weapons with them to church. He said they were a rather small congregation, numbering around 200 members, and that they had no budget for hiring security guards. Since we are hearing of these happenings more and more frequently, and since the church would be considered a soft target, he felt compelled, as Shepherd of his flock, to do whatever he had to do to keep them safe. After a brief discussion with the Bishop, they opened up the phone lines, and I was shocked at the vitriolic comments that were coming from fellow Christians. I guess what amazed me most was the quoting, misquoting, and taking Scriptures out of context to substantiate their point of view. But perhaps even more baffling than that was the total lack of what I consider to be “common sense.”
No doubt Jesus never encouraged violence; and no doubt he preached love, forgiveness, mercy, grace, compassion and tolerance. But it seems to me that the underpinning of the Bible is a morality play of Good vs. Evil. This is a constant battle, and as we know, Good wins out over Evil. I can’t think of any situation where we as Christ-followers are told to stand down against evil. But to check myself, I asked this question in as many ways as I could of Google: (Not that I consider Google to be an authoritative source, but just to joggle my memory) “Is there any passage or story in the Bible where good is called to stand down in the face of evil?” After a half dozen attempts, the Google wheel kept spinning, but no answer. Therefore, it is from that perspective that my own view is bolstered for today’s topic.
No doubt the church is a soft target. It seems that those who hate our Christian faith and our way of life want nothing more than to silence and destroy us. Their hearts are filled with anger, hatred, envy, and jealousy. Many times they are furthering a different ideology, but occasionally it is someone who just wants to inflict as much shock and pain as possible because he, for some reason, feels justified in doing that. In either case they are willing to go to any length to further their agenda, even if it means the slaughter of innocent men, women and children. It is happening at an alarming rate around the world, and it is becoming more frequent here.
Since the church is perceived to be a soft target, when someone breaks in during a church service and is hell-bent on death and destruction, I do not think we are called to sit by and let it happen. Thank God the neighbor next to the church in Texas grabbed his gun and confronted the crazed murderer, shooting back at him and running him off. Otherwise the death toll definitely would have been higher than 26.
When I heard people calling into the radio station, I heard such crazy comments as: “Jesus doesn’t want us to defend ourselves. He wants us to turn the other cheek!” “If I were assaulted, I would call on God to loose angels, then I would dial 911.” “Guns can only make things worse. God hates guns.” “We are not to participate in violence.” “Jesus sacrificed his life for his enemies. We’re called to do the same.” Yikes… I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“God didn’t give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self control” (some say “sound mind.”) (2 Timothy 1:7) In the face of danger, if either I or my family is threatened, I believe I am instructed to defend my family. “But those who won’t care for and protect their own relatives, especially those living in the same household, have denied what we believe. Such people are worse than nonbelievers.” (1Timothy 5:8) I believe that guns are totally neutral. Depending on the heart of the person who is holding the gun, it becomes an instrument of either good or evil. “For from the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all other sexual immorality, theft, lying and slander.” (Matthew 15:19) And true, Christ did give up his life for his enemies; that was his mission. But I don’t believe we are called to sacrifice ourselves to further an evil agenda. “Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 6:14,18) I know that passage is referring to spiritual warfare, but I feel it is equally applicable here. Anyone on a murderous rampage is evil personified, and we have been given authority over all the evil schemes of the devil by Jesus Christ himself. (Luke 10:19) I firmly believe that being defenseless and allowing evil to run roughshod over us is certainly not God’s will for his Children. Quite the contrary! I believe we are called to stand tall in the face of evil so we can continue to be His instruments of Truth.
As the Good Shepherd, Jesus’ role was to protect his flock. Since we are in Christ, are we not called to protect our brothers and sisters too? I now want to turn to a brief, and admittedly a very controversial, passage in the Gospel of Luke 22:35-37. This is inserted right after Jesus tells Peter he will deny him three times, and after this statement there is no other commentary. “Then Jesus asked them (disciples), ‘When I sent you out to preach the Good News, and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or extra clothing, did you lack anything? ‘No,’ they replied. ‘But now,’ he said, ‘take your money and traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your clothes and buy one! For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among those who were rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.’
If you begin to research this, you will find multiple commentaries and multiple speculations as to what this passage actually means. I have spent a great deal of time on this, and have concluded that my thoughts are in line with the thoughts laid out in the NIV Study Bible. Jesus knew that there would be persecution of his followers, especially since their leader was one “who was counted among those who were rebels.” Also, the area around Jerusalem was laden with bandits and travel was treacherous. Jesus also knew he had to count on these men to carry his message after he was gone, so I believe he was cautioning them to be “prepared” physically as well as spiritually. I like common sense, and I believe being cautious and prepared is common sense. Now, no doubt Jesus was outside the “norm” on most occasions because his Kingdom was not of this earth, but I’m still believing that he recognized and respected “common sense.” 🙂
No doubt this topic will strike a different chord with different readers, so I encourage you to respond to this post. I in no way pretend to have the “authoritative answer”, so I would like to hear your thoughts whether in agreement or disagreement. Ideas that cause reconsideration are good for the soul, not to mention the mind.
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May God Bless Ya…
Dan Presgrave (a.k.a. Pastor Dan)
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So Dan,
Will you be packin’ In church on Sunday?
Love ya, Marianne
Hey, Marianne… I am just seeing your response to my blog dated 12-16-2017. And the answer to your question is “yes.” Hope you and John are fine, and I hope our paths cross in the not too distant future.