I'm sure most of my readers already know that at least two professing Christian groups in Colorado were targeted by a shooter (perhaps the same guy), resulting the deaths of several people.
I was surprised to learn the detail that did not show up in many of the news articles, but is provided by Vox Populi (link). I'm not familiar with that much of what VP writes, but the point he makes (that it is a good thing that the church had someone there with a gun) is a valid point (and seems to be repeated here).
God uses means to protect the innocent. Don't forget about that.
-Turretinfan
Update: Here's Carla's very different take on the subject (link).
Further Update: The guard turns out to be a heroine (link).
Yet more: TheoJunkie weighs in on the matter (link) (and in the combox of this post), as has Ben Witherington (link).
Monday, December 10, 2007
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Somehow we have let some parts of the "Gospel"/Scripture lapse into mush, sloppy watery mush.
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
Rom 13:4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.
My Niece's husband is a Deputy Sheriff and attends our Church services whether the Sunday or Wednesday or regular daily men's morning meetings Monday thru Friday while on break, in uniform, with gun in tow and actively on duty as a Deputy Sheriff for my county. While he is off duty it is his duty to have a concealed weapon on his person at all times. He is a Spirit filled Born Again Christian raising a son and three daughters. At a minimum the members of my congregation would expect him to "jump" into action if such an event occurred in the foyer of my Church.
I was a Sworn Police Chaplain for my city for several years and had a CCW and carried a concealed weapon while on duty at times and or had at a minimum access to the locked Shotgun in the patrol car while on patrol serving the City as such.
Can anyone give a justifiable reason why the strong should not protect the weak and innocent in this day and age of extreme violence in light of just that portion of Scripture, Romans 13:3-4?
I cannot.
Dear Michael,
I'm with you.
If arms for self-defense were ok for Ezra and Nehemiah against Sanballat and company ...
... while at the same time recognizing that if God does not guard the church, the watchmen are useless.
So, trust in God and keep your sidearm handy.
-Turretinfan
Like the former President said, my spin: Trust God, yes I do, it's His creatures that keep me alert!
You never know, unless you know, who they are trusting! :)
Hmmm...
It kind of bothers me that a church would have an "armed security force" (or an "armed anything").
By the same token, I guess I would be opposed to an "anti-carry policy"... but then, it would make me think twice if a church had the reverse.
Seems really odd.
Didn't Jesus tell Peter to put away his sword? I'm not a pacifist, and I agree that God worked providentially in having that woman at the right place at the right time, even to steady her hand as she aimed. But it seems rather -- well, ODD -- that churches should consider "being prepared" with weapons on hand.
In a certain sense, doesn't that display distrust in God's providence?
Dear TJ,
Thanks for your thoughts.
Some counter thoughts:
a) Luke 22:36
b) It seems as though Jesus' narrow point (with Peter and the high priest's servant) was that his disciples should not fight to protect him from being crucified.
c) If Jesus were anti-carry, what were his disciples doing walking around with swords in the first place?
-Turretinfan
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