Perhaps one of the greatest areas of division in our nation today is the debate over guns. For the last several decades we have seen politicians, celebrities, corporations and even religious groups come out against the idea that Americans should be able to own guns, and carry them on their person. Firearms known as “assault rifles” — in particular AR-15’s — have been heavily targeted by activists and politicians.
Despite our national debate, our Constitution, through the Bill of Rights, codifies this fundamental right with these words:
A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
“To keep and bear arms…” Can there be any clearer wording? But for what purpose was that right codified?
Of course, the phrase just before those five words, provides some insights: “the security of a free state.”
Whenever there is a discussion of the right to bear arms, people generally cite one or more of these three reasons for owning guns:
- For hunting
- For self defense and personal protection
- To maintain a free state (and stave off tyranny).
It should be clearly noted that the 2nd Amendment is NOT about hunting. Rather, when the 2nd Amendment affirms that “a well regulated militia [is] necessary to the security of a free state” it is clearly inferring that without arms, a state is more likely to descend into tyranny. Armed citizens pose a tangible threat to political leaders whose intents are less than pure.
But there is a deeper value than simply staving off tyranny.
Self-Defense
At the heart of preserving a free state is the idea of self-defense. One does not seek to preserve a free state simply for the value of the state, but ultimately for the benefit that flows to the individual. Thus, it is the epitome of self-preservation to maintain a free state. As such, the foundational value to the 2nd Amendment is self-defense.
I have discussed and debated this topic over the years with friends on both sides of the issue. Some opponents have occasionally cited scriptural passages to assert their belief that guns should be banned, or at the very minimum, greatly restricted.
But one would have to be completely illiterate of dozens of Biblical passages to suggest that God opposes the concept of people possessing and using weapons. Today, I’d like to highlight just a few such passages that not only establish clear examples of the concept of self-defense, but more importantly, they teach a principle any responsible person should incorporate into their own lives.
The stories of Esther and Nehemiah both highlight the principle of self-defense and how these two individuals, greatly used by God, would not have prevailed, but for the role of weapons, and the personal ownership and use of arms by ordinary citizens.
Esther
In Esther, we read the story about the attempted annihilation of the Jews by Haman, an evil government official who was second in command to King Xerxes. Through deception, Haman convinced King Xerxes to issue a mortal decree which we read of in Esther 3:
The decree was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the king’s signet ring. Dispatches were sent by swift messengers into all the provinces of the empire, giving the order that all Jews—young and old, including women and children—must be killed, slaughtered, and annihilated on a single day. This was scheduled to happen on March 7 of the next year. The property of the Jews would be given to those who killed them. (Esther 3:12-13)
When Haman’s malicious plot was uncovered and he ultimately lost his life over it, King Xerxes issued another decree that granted the Jews the authority to defend themselves (their version of the 2nd Amendment):
The king’s decree gave the Jews in every city authority to unite to defend their lives. They were allowed to kill, slaughter, and annihilate anyone of any nationality or province who might attack them or their children and wives, and to take the property of their enemies. (Esther 8:11)
And we see a few verses later how the Jews exercised their right to self-defense:
On that day, the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but quite the opposite happened. It was the Jews who overpowered their enemies. The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the king’s provinces to attack anyone who tried to harm them. But no one could make a stand against them, for everyone was afraid of them. So the Jews went ahead on the appointed day and struck down their enemies with the sword. (Esther 9:1-2, 5)
Did you note the reference to a sword? (I wonder if that sword might have been an Assault Sword, perhaps referred to as an AS-15?)
If there’s one thing that should be learned from this story, it is that the Jews were held up as an example of what to do when threatened by an enemy. Passive submission was not the default. Rather, these ordinary citizens picked up their arms and actively sought to defend their families and property. It should also be noted that as the enemies who sought the Jews harm realized the Jews were armed and prepared to defend themselves, many of the enemies backed away from the fight, illustrating that strength acts as a deterrent.
Nehemiah
In the story of Nehemiah, the setting is in Jerusalem as the Jews are seeking to rebuild the wall around the city. As they are working day and night to complete their task, we again find the Jews threatened by an enemy that seeks to harm and kill them. Nehemiah, their governor, is a wise man whose walk with God is exemplary. Upon seeing the threat posed by the enemies of the Jews, the governor encourages his citizens to fight:
The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!” So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows. Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!” (Nehemiah 4:12-14)
Because the threat was imminent and ongoing, Nehemiah and his fellow citizens even found it necessary to remain armed at all times as we see here:
During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water. (Nehemiah 4:23)
So in just these two biblical examples, we see support for the underlying principle in the Second Amendment, self-defense. If the time allowed, we could cite dozens more.
But here’s where the rubber meets the road for you.
Pressure will no doubt intensify in the coming months to restrict and control gun ownership, with the ultimate goal of subverting our Second Amendment and disarming you. If you allow this to happen, or if you ultimately acquiesce to any unlawful “decree” by Washington, you will be ignoring the preponderance of history that reveals that a disarmed citizenry leads to an oppressed people. But more importantly, you will be violating a fundamental biblical principle, the value of self-defense, which is not only your right, but your obligation to stand for your family, and others who are threatened by thugs, criminals… and politicians.
If you are a gun owner and want to learn how to better handle your weapon, we will be hosting a Basic Self-Defense Course at our private shooting range at Liberty Ridge Ranch October 28-29. The course, led by elite instructors from the US Army Special Forces, will be a day and a half event and will provide you with the rock-solid foundation for protecting yourself, and your loved ones. Spots are very limited. For more info, please email me at mark@awaketofreedom.com or click reply, if you received this as an email.
While I am not necessarily an advocate for giving up guns, I don’t think this issue is nearly as simple as you make it sound. For followers of Jesus, the tension we feel is His very clear teaching that if/when you are offended, “turn the other cheek”. He never led discussions on political or individual rights, in fact the opposite. He said the costs of being His disciple is to give up your rights, and follow Him.
Rectifying His teaching with OT passages requires one to understand the nature of Israel’s theocratic status at the time of Nehemiah, and the radical change that occurred once Jesus the Messiah did come…and well, as I said, it is not such a simple issue.
Thanks for the comments Billy. Good question and valid point. However, we are told that God is not the author of confusion so when there appears to be a conflict or something is not clear from Scripture, there is generally an explanation, as I believe the case is here.
First, you quote accurately the principle Jesus taught about “turning the other cheek” yet that has a personal application and is not all encompassing. Your decision to turn your cheek if someone literally strikes you or simply maligns or disadvantages you is a personal choice. But we cannot impute that choice on others. For instance, if someone strikes your wife or child on the other cheek, or even worse, would your instruction to them be, “turn the other cheek honey” or would you understand the obligation and duty you have as a husband to defend your wife, or as a father, to protect your child? Or if you saw a thug attacking an innocent elderly lady on the street, would you yell out “turn the other cheek” or would you come to her aid? Note my final sentence of the entire post: “the value of self-defense, which is not only your right, but your obligation to stand for your family, and others who are threatened by thugs, criminals… and politicians.” My focus included defending others.
If you look at the two passages I shared with you, the man of God, Nehemiah, clearly commanded the people to protect their wives, children, and other family members, and even their property. We are also told in Scripture “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” What would be the circumstances that a person would lay down his life for someone if they view their only command or option is “to turn the other cheek?” Clearly, if we look at Scripture in its totality, not simply in one verse, we see the teachings of Scripture are clear. There are clear instances when we are told to use the “sword” and other times when we must turn the cheek. Much of our response will be based on the intents of the aggressor, the people who are being threatened, and the leading of the Spirit.
Thanks again for your thoughts and perspective. Your questioning is always invited and appreciated. “Iron sharpens iron.”
Jesus said to give up your rights? Where are you taking that from?
Mark, once again your commentary is most valid and very much appreciated. Many people misunderstand or misinterpret the “turn the other cheek” Scriptural verse that Mr. Blount gave reference to. I believe that Larry Pratt, executive vice-president of Gun Owners of America, satisfactorily explained this reference in his 2008 article, “What Does the Bible Say About Gun Control,” under the sub-heading, “Did Christ Teach Pacifism?” And as you also explained, “God is not the author of confusion.” (1 Corinthians 14:33) And I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again, “Jesus did not tell His disciples to sell their cloak to buy a sword so they could slice tomatoes.” (Luke 22:36)
Hello Mark,
Very very well said and commented on. Turning the other cheek was a direction given by Jesus to forgive and not retaliate for a personal wrong no greater than a slap on the cheek. He was saying as much as you can, get along with and forgive one another. He doesn’t say in that passage of Scripture….if someone tries to kill you, let him kill you if you have means to stop him.
This Country exist because our forefathers were willing to take up arms and sacrifice their lives and well being of their families to fight for what we enjoy today.
The reason we are still a free nation is because of the God given Right to keep and bear arms.
The NRA has a saying….the only deterrent to a bad guy with a gun, is a good guy with a gun. And if you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns.
I don’t trust in guns, I trust in the Lord, but The Lord is the One whom saw it necessary to give us this Right for the reasons that it’s given and when it has served its purpose it will be taken, by The Lord, out of the way to no longer be a deterrent of the enemies foreign and domestic.
The time is coming when there will be no weapons to trust in…but only in the Lord.
The Lord has shown me, that what is coming on America is going to be bad on the flesh temporarily but good on the spirit eternally.
All that are His can be at peace, we’re on the winning side!!!
But, everyone that isn’t His, you’re damned already and the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God abides on you.
But also, if your reading this and are not on the winning side, then you still have the mercy of God abiding on you this very moment. It’s the loving mercy of Almighty God that gives you your next heartbeat, we’re all just one heartbeat away from eternity. It’s not your good health or strength or any power of your own, but only the mercy of God keeping you in this world. He holds our days in His Hands. It’s not if, it’s when for all of us. Death comes to us all. Therefore you still have time to be on the winning side. Time to ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. By asking him to cleanse you of all your sin with His blood shed for you and create in you a new heart by coming and living and loving inside of you by His Holy Spirit. It’s the wonderful plan of redemption given to all that believe in Him. I hope all reading this have made the winning choice.
It’s time to get real folks….what Jesus said is, has and will happen.
Thanks again Mark, you are a true brother and soldier in the Army of The Lord. Where our weapons are mighty in God to the pulling down of spiritual strongholds. And your right, time doesn’t permit to go into details as to why The Lord has temporarily allowed the bearing of arms in this nation, but if any man lacks wisdom let him ask of God.
In Christ,
Joe
Hello Mark,
Once again, a fantastic piece of writing! I am a pretty simple guy, so when I read ‘Armed citizens pose a tangible threat to political leaders whose intents are less than pure’, I see golden truth. A politician that seeks to abrogate the 2nd amendment is a politician that has evil on his mind. What would you think of a rapist that pushes for gun-free women? What of a thief that pushes for gun-free shops? It is worth noting that the people killed in San Bernardino by the terrorists were killed in a gun-free zone. The government disarmed the citizenry and then the terrorists killed them. Let me say again that a politician that seeks to abrogate the 2nd amendment has evil on his mind. Is it evil to disarm a woman and leave her vulnerable to the rapist’s attack? Is it evil to disarm good citizens and then import terrorists (with little or no vetting) to slaughter them? Remember what our good government did at Little Big Horn.
If you want to render me helpless to defend myself and my family, then you are evil. Plain and simple. If you do not stand ready to protect your wife and children, then you are evil. You have a responsibility before God. You can dress your liberal sophestries anyway that you want, but disarming and rendering people helpless is the act of evil men.
As always, Mark, you are the kinder and gentler writer, and I applaud you. Thank you for the work you do to call men to think.
Interesting comments…I will just say that the “turn the other cheek” was not my quote, but something Jesus said. So I think it is entirely appropriate to wrestle with what He meant by it, particularly on the issue of gun control. You say He meant it exclusively for an individual to choose for him(or her) self, and that individual should not impute that to anyone else… it should not apply to another person, group or country. I say groups and countries are made up of individuals, so I am not sure there is such a clear distinction. I just think it is worth noting that Jesus did not spend His time teaching about defending our rights, but denying ourselves so that we may be free to love others in His name. The fact that God is not the author of confusion does not mean that we, as broken people, are not frequently confused by complicated issues…He is not confused, but we often are, and the posts on this subject illustrate that. But as Joe says “all that are His can be at peace”.