Should a Christian own and/or carry a side arm?

[Tank]

One of those shower questions, you know the sort of question that pops into one's mind while there is nothing much else to think about.

As I perceive the stereotypical Jesus he was portrayed as an essentially peace loving individual who would not endorse violence. If he were alive today would he own and/or carry a side arm? I don't think he would, if for no other reason than as the Son of God he would appreciate he didn't need to as whatever happened to him would have been the will of his Father (himself). But I don't think the Jesus that I see would have carried a gun anyway, it would not have been his 'style' for want of a better word. IF that supposition is correct, that he would not have carried a gun, would it be reasonable to expect his followers to do the same? I would contend that it would be the case that Jesus would have told his followers not to carry guns as he espoused a peaceful world view.

So should a Christian own and/or carry a side arm? My answer would be no, as it would go against the ideals of Jesus.

What do you think?

[elliebean]

Well they didn't have guns back then, but...

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon earth.  I have come to bring not peace but the sword.  For I have come to set a man 'against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one's enemies will be those of his household'".   (Matthew 10:34-36 NAB)

But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. (Luke: 22:36)

[Tank]

Well they didn't have guns back then, but...

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon earth.  I have come to bring not peace but the sword.  For I have come to set a man 'against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one's enemies will be those of his household'".   (Matthew 10:34-36 NAB)

But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. (Luke: 22:36)

Now this sort of thing was never mentioned, that I recall, at any time to me while I was a child. So for me these would be atypical of the character my RE teachers and vicar were trying to illustrate to me when I was a child. They would have been much more of the 'turn the other cheek' persuasion, peaceful Mr Nice Guy type of picture. Thanks for the input Ellie, hope things are going a little better for you now.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Even as a child I marvelled at Jesus's  anger at the moneylenders in the Temple.  I don't think he'd have a problem packing iron.

[Tank]

Even as a child I marvelled at Jesus's  anger at the moneylenders in the Temple.  I don't think he'd have a problem packing iron.

Interesting. I appreciate the example and as a kid I was surprised by that story as it seemed so out of character with the rest of the descriptions of him. But you don't see it that way so am I right in thinking the the Jesus character was portrait in a more macho character in your experiences?

[Thumpalumpacus]

Even as a child I marvelled at Jesus's  anger at the moneylenders in the Temple.  I don't think he'd have a problem packing iron.

Interesting. I appreciate the example and as a kid I was surprised by that story as it seemed so out of character with the rest of the descriptions of him. But you don't see it that way so am I right in thinking the the Jesus character was portrait in a more macho character in your experiences?

No, I marvelled exactly because he was always portrayed as meek, and not aggressive; you know, the whole "lamb of god" thing (not to be confused with the dingbat spammer, ) was pounded into my head.  So when I came across the moneychangers story, I was amazed.  

But it certainly changed how I looked at Jesus, and prompted a closer reading of the Gospels, which (especially Matthew) reveal a dark side to Jesus.

[elliebean]

...a dark side to Jesus.

What a great potential book title! The Dark Side... of Jesus.  

[Tank]

Even as a child I marvelled at Jesus's  anger at the moneylenders in the Temple.  I don't think he'd have a problem packing iron.

Interesting. I appreciate the example and as a kid I was surprised by that story as it seemed so out of character with the rest of the descriptions of him. But you don't see it that way so am I right in thinking the the Jesus character was portrait in a more macho character in your experiences?

No, I marvelled exactly because he was always portrayed as meek, and not aggressive; you know, the whole "lamb of god" thing (not to be confused with the dingbat spammer, ) was pounded into my head.  So when I came across the moneychangers story, I was amazed.  

But it certainly changed how I looked at Jesus, and prompted a closer reading of the Gospels, which (especially Matthew) reveal a dark side to Jesus.

Understood, and agreed. The money changer incident did show a side of 'righteous anger' that was quite atypical of the general image of Jesus.

I have always maintained that to show annoyance/anger at somebody else's behaviour is sometimes warranted because it is an honest expression of one's feelings. Maintaining a civil good mannered attitude is a good thing, until somebody exploits that behaviour to there own benefit. At which point they should be told in blunt terms they have overstepped the mark. In many ways that's how children learn from adults, by finding the boundary of acceptable behaviour and if they never get shown the boundary how can they find out where it is.

[The Magic Pudding]

The turn the other cheek principle sounds nice, but doesn't seem practical.
I'm not a bible scholar, so I'm not familiar with the exceptions to the rule.

If I had a choice I wouldn't live in a place where carrying a gun was a normal everyday thing.

I can appreciate some admiration for things like battleships, aircraft even tanks as impressive human creations.
For some people such as farmers a gun is a legitimate tool.
Some people use them for sport.
For others guns seem to be part of a strange fetish.

As I understand it, side arms are designed for shooting people.
I've never heard of anyone taking them to shoot wild pigs or water buffalo.

A Christian may have reasons to have a sidearm, but their faith should give them strong reasons not to.

[Tank]

AFAIK some people DO hunt big game with side arms, and often carry a powerful hand gun for those moments when it's 'shit or bust' http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_re ... re_091806/  

[Thumpalumpacus]

Tank -- I agree much with your comments re: righteous anger.  There is certainly a place for it.  I was just startled , in the context of the Gospels, by his anger there, or at the fig tree, or the comments on family.

About hunting with handguns, I would never go hunting without having one as a backup, especially if my rifle were bolt-action.

[humblesmurph]

My father is a Christian and he always has one gun on his person, one in his car and at least a half dozen in the home.  He has hunted with a handgun (not very successfully though).  

It's been my experience that good Christians do whatever they want unless there is something in the scripture that could be interpreted as forbidding it.  My father says there is nothing in the bible about guns so it's OK.

[Tank]

My father is a Christian and he always has one gun on his person, one in his car and at least a half dozen in the home.  He has hunted with a handgun (not very successfully though).  

It's been my experience that good Christians do whatever they want unless there is something in the scripture that could be interpreted as forbidding it.  My father says there is nothing in the bible about guns so it's OK.

Which of course makes nuclear weapons fine to  

[humblesmurph]

My father is a Christian and he always has one gun on his person, one in his car and at least a half dozen in the home.  He has hunted with a handgun (not very successfully though).  

It's been my experience that good Christians do whatever they want unless there is something in the scripture that could be interpreted as forbidding it.  My father says there is nothing in the bible about guns so it's OK.

 

Which of course makes nuclear weapons fine to  

yup. chemical weapons too.  You can only use them on bad people though.

[McQ]

Don't like the wording of the question, but my opinion is that yes, anyone where it is legal to own and carry should be able to (subject to all applicable laws).