Sunday, September 07, 2014

Armed action or not?



Someone asked this question the other day.

If it gets to the place in America, where the government becomes an overbearing tyranny, should Christians take up arms against their government?  (Like they did in 1776)          
                



  1. The teaching that Christians should never bear arms is not biblical.  Lk.22:38, Ps.18:34, 1Sam.15:13.
  2. Self defense is supported in many biblical narratives. Est.8:11-12, 9:1-5, Lk.22:36.
  3. Defending one’s family is the right thing to do.  Gen.14:14.
  4. It is biblical to protect one’s property. Lk.11:21. Ex.22:2-3.
  5. Being subject to the government according to Romans  13 is in the context of a government that is filling it’s biblical place protecting the good and punishing the evil.  There is no law against taking up arms against a government that is awry from the divine purpose of government. Num.31:3.
  6. The modern gun grabbing mindset was alive and well among the enemies of God’s people in 1Sam.13:19-20.
  7. There are many places in the Bible where God’s people were to smite the bullies.  Josh.13:12.

Note:  All these things and other biblical principles on this issue are true.  It is foolish to say that the Bible is against military action.  The Bible is full of military action.  When soldiers asked John the Baptist what he would have them do, he did not tell them to lay down their arms and desert their post or any such thing.  He told them to practice their trade as humanely as they could and be content with their wages. Lk.3:14.

All that being so, it is also important for us as God’s people to remember that our warfare is a spiritual warfare and we ought to go forward in truth and righteousness praying and seeking His divine presence upon us and with us as we fight the good fight of faith.  The battle is the LORDS.  Faith is the victory.  Stand for the truth without compromise but also with deep compassion and long-suffering.  Know how to be Christ like in showing mercy.  We should never take it upon ourselves to take vengeance.  That belongs to God.  Rom.12:19. 

Thankfully, in America, we have a constitutional road map to keep things straight according to the rule of law.  Those who behave as if they are somehow above the law must learn to submit.  The preference of we the people of the book is that this might happen without the shedding of blood.  However, according to carnal history and knowing the depraved nature of man, we understand there are those who will only learn submission by lessons according to their own violent terms.


1 comment:

Dr. Ron Wolfe said...

Good article. Thank you.