Remember, I'm in my mid-fifties, and from the extra-rural Midwest. So I'm one of the crotchedy old-dudes who says, "I grew-up with guns in the house and many of my friends brought guns to school and left them in their trucks on the gun racks. (I even built a gun rack in shop.) and we never shot anybody..."
However, I think I'm missing my own point. We have a Federal Constitutional right to "bear arms." The concept (and practice) of citizens bearing arms was (arguably) a hallmark of revolutionary America, and possibly the single factor that led to our independence (arguably.)
But ultimately the argument of the "civility" (as in; is gun ownership a civil right) and the "constitutionality" of gun ownership is inadequate (and quite besides the point) compared to the ultimate questions Christians should really be asking themselves, "Does Jesus want me to have a gun? Does Jesus want me to use a gun against someone else?"
Let me point out up-front that on one occasion, Jesus interacted w/a Roman military officer and Jesus did not tell him, "Oh, by the way...stop being Soldier." Jesus did meet a very rich young man and told him to give away all of his wealth to the poor to secure treasure in heaven.
Jesus also said, "Don't you know, those who live by the sword, die by the sword." He didn't necessarily say, "Give-up your swords." As a matter of fact, he asked how many swords they had. He did point out the consequences of being armed...you die.
Jesus made a point of illustrating over and over again that being self-less, and not holding on to your personal rights was the way to eternal life. Giving up your life saves your life. He went as far as to almost rub-it-in Pilate's by saying, "Understand, I have a devastating, unstoppable army at my disposal just itching to vindicate me, but I'm not here for that. I'm here to pour out my life."
So, you want to argue you have a constitutional right to own any and all manner of guns, go right ahead. I can't argue with you. You want to say you have a civil obligation to keep yourself and your loved-ones safe with a firearm, again, I can't disagree. But you can't convince me that Jesus is cool with it. Those who live by the sword...
But ultimately the argument of the "civility" (as in; is gun ownership a civil right) and the "constitutionality" of gun ownership is inadequate (and quite besides the point) compared to the ultimate questions Christians should really be asking themselves, "Does Jesus want me to have a gun? Does Jesus want me to use a gun against someone else?"
Let me point out up-front that on one occasion, Jesus interacted w/a Roman military officer and Jesus did not tell him, "Oh, by the way...stop being Soldier." Jesus did meet a very rich young man and told him to give away all of his wealth to the poor to secure treasure in heaven.
Jesus also said, "Don't you know, those who live by the sword, die by the sword." He didn't necessarily say, "Give-up your swords." As a matter of fact, he asked how many swords they had. He did point out the consequences of being armed...you die.
Jesus made a point of illustrating over and over again that being self-less, and not holding on to your personal rights was the way to eternal life. Giving up your life saves your life. He went as far as to almost rub-it-in Pilate's by saying, "Understand, I have a devastating, unstoppable army at my disposal just itching to vindicate me, but I'm not here for that. I'm here to pour out my life."
So, you want to argue you have a constitutional right to own any and all manner of guns, go right ahead. I can't argue with you. You want to say you have a civil obligation to keep yourself and your loved-ones safe with a firearm, again, I can't disagree. But you can't convince me that Jesus is cool with it. Those who live by the sword...
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