We’re tackling another controversial topic in the men’s podcast today. A topic that has become highly politicized, and is sure to turn up the intensity of a conversation at the next family get together or company outing. We’re talking about gun control. How should Christiians view the gun control debate? As with any other issue, what does God’s Word say about it? Does it say anything about it? I think we’re going to see today that it does offer wisdom on this topic.
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Our conversation today is really going to have three movements:
- Is a Christian justified in taking someone’s life in self defense or in the defense of others? How we answer that question is going to have a big impact on how we view the gun control debate. If we do believe there are times when that is justified, that leads to the question of is there a limit as to what extent a Christian is able to defend themselves or others? In other words, are we saying it’s OK to use a baseball bat to defend your family as a Christian, but it is not ok to use a gun. If it is OK to use a gun, should we put a limit on the types of guns you can use?
- Would stricter gun laws reduce gun deaths? Regardless of the answer to the preceding question, if stricter gun laws are enacted, are Christians obligated to obey them if they feel a moral obligation to protect those around them?
- Lastly, as believers, what is our ultimate source of protection? Where do we place our trust - in our arsenal or in Almighty God?
So that’s where we’re headed. Let’s get into this first point of conversation.
Defense and Protection
Is a Christian justified in taking someone’s life in self defense or in the defense of someone else? If this is justified, is there a limit to what extent a Christian is able to defend themselves or others?
Exodus 22:2 - “If a thief is caught in the act of breaking into a house and is struck and killed in the process, the person who killed the thief is not guilty of murder.
- Breaking and entering a home in the night could expose the intruder to the loss of his life (justifiable homicide), in which case the householder would not be held responsible - Expositor’s Bible Commentary
- The next verse goes on to say, “If it happens in the daytime, he would be guilty of murder.” A man’s possessions are not worth another man’s life. However, at night, without witnesses, there is no way to know the intentions of the man breaking in. Is he just trying to steal good or does he have other intentions?
- In the Ten Commandments, commandment number 6 is “Thou shall not murder.” It isn’t though shall not kill.
- Expositor’s bible commentary: The sixth commandment forbids murder. The ethical theology that lies behind this prohibition is that all humans have been created in the image of God (Ge 1:26-27; 9:6). While Hebrew...
