Concealed Carry in Church

[Aquila]

Here’s an interesting excerpt from Bro. David K. Bernard’s book, Practical Holiness, that might help to understand the complexity of this issue. I think he makes some good points...

“Defense of Self and Family

How should we defend ourselves or our families
against murderous attacks? John Yoder’s book, What
Would You Do?, lists the options available to the Christian
who is committed to pacifism: martyrdom, divine
intervention, ruse, nonlethal violence, or moral disarming.
This last category includes such things as showing
respect, showing love, or asserting moral authority, which
often so affect the attacker that he changes his mind.
Yoder gave six actual case studies, ranging from wartime
to a prison riot to a mugging, in which nonviolent
methods stopped a lethal attack.

We do not interpret Christ’s teaching to mean we
must passively, idly watch while an attacker seriously
injures or kills someone. Under some circumstances, it
would be appropriate to use the minimum force necessary
to halt, ward off, or incapacitate the attacker. The
motivation in such a case must not be hatred, retaliation,
revenge, desire to harm, or desire to fight, but simply
protection against harm. Under no circumstances, however,
should we deliberately seek to kill the attacker. We
can seek to prevent evil, but not at the expense of
performing an equal or greater evil. It is essentially wrong
to use physical force except in cases of extreme necessity,
and then not to the point of taking a life.

From a spiritual perspective, the Christian should not
fear death. It would be better for the Christian to die and
be with the Lord than for his attacker to die and be forever
lost. Jesus and Stephen set the example by praying
for their murderers. Through their courageous deaths
onlookers such as the Roman centurion and (as some
scholars propose) Saul of Tarsus came to a knowledge of
the truth.

In the vast majority of self defense situations, we
would not face the choice of killing or being killed. We
must trust God to keep us from or to protect us in the
extremely rare cases of this nature. Moreover, we must
use prudence and not place ourselves in situations where
we might be forced to make this decision.


Bearing Arms

If we reject deadly force as an option, then the bear-
ing of arms becomes problematic. It could reflect a fundamental
lack of faith in God’s protective power (Job
1:9-12; 2:6) and the protective ministry of angels (Psalm
34:7; 91:11). If God prohibits killing, what is the purpose
of carrying a deadly weapon? In a time of crisis, can we
trust ourselves not to use it lethally? If a potential victim
produces a weapon, he forces the attacker to act violently
and often places himself in greater danger. Furthermore,
these weapons kill many more people in accidents and
arguments than in self-defense situations.

Why did Jesus tell His disciples on one occasion to
carry swords? (Luke 22:35-38). After the Last Supper,
Jesus gave new instructions to His disciples relative to the
preaching of the gospel. Earlier in His ministry, He had
sent them out without purse (money) or bag (supply of
food), telling them to depend upon the hospitality of the
people. Now, however, He told them to take purse, bag,
and sword. Possibly, He meant for them to take swords for
protection against wild beasts and robbers (to frighten off
or ward off the latter, not to kill them).

More probably, His allusion to the sword was
metaphoric. In other words, He was warning that they
would no longer enjoy a hearty welcome in every place,
but would face bitter opposition. Therefore, they should
learn to provide for themselves and to brace themselves
spiritually against attack and persecution.

Upon hearing this, the disciples found two swords
and brought them to Christ. He told them, “It is enough.”
Two swords are not adequate for twelve men. Apparently,
the disciples failed to understand Christ’s real meaning
at that time. When He saw them bringing two literal
swords, He decided to drop the subject. This view receives
support from Christ’s admonition to Peter a short time
later. When Peter actually tried to use one of these swords
in Christ’s defense, He forbade him with words that
denounce all killing. Furthermore, never again do we hear
of the disciples resisting violence with violence, although
they were subjected to violence many times.”

-Rev. David K. Bernard, Practical Holiness

[Aquila]

The power of the name of Jesus...

Woman orders armed robber in home invasion to leave her house in the name of Jesus:

[Aquila]

Woman rebukes armed robber who enters her store, in the name of Jesus:

[Aquila]

Woman dissuades would be robber by talking to him about Jesus:

[Aquila]

These women aren't big burly men. And most likely they aren't even "Apostolic". Yet they truly embody the Christian response to being confronted by an armed assailant.

I find it interesting how so many big, tough, Holy Ghost filled dudes in our churches put more trust in the gun than in the power of God.

Could America's "gun culture" be a spirit? Could America's "gun culture" be an influence of the world that we've allowed in the back door?

Those are not meant to be accusations, they are simply questions I feel I have to ask myself.

After spending 8 years in the military, I chose not to buy a firearm. I remember the day I realized that this choice would become a part of my convictions one day when I was about to purchase a beautiful weapon from Gander Mountain, a Springfield Armory XD-357. My wife was never big on guns. Every time I'd talk about buying one, she'd say, "Chris, we have Jesus." Our church was rather conservative and many of the men were gun enthusiasts. They talked to me about the benefits of having a weapon quite often. Eventually, I convinced my wife that purchasing the gun was a good thing because not only do I enjoy the range, but it would be wise to have a weapon to protect our home. I saved up the money and it was a go. I was so excited. But as I was looking at the weapon and about to tell the man at the counter that I was going to purchase it, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart with an impression that essentially said, "If you choose to buy this weapon, the protection of your family is entirely upon you." I stood there thinking the impression would fade as a passing thought. It didn't. In fact, it lingered until I handed the weapon back to the sales person behind the counter. I thanked him for letting me see the weapon and I walked away.

As I was walking away, the Lord spoke to me again as I was passing the fishing gear, "Why don't you buy fishing gear instead?" I stopped and looked at what they had. I bought a medium action rod and a heavy action rod, a couple open reels and line, a new tackle box (mine was really old), a couple nice bobbers, and an inflatable float tube.

When I got home my wife saw everything I was carrying and asked, "Did you get the gun?" I looked at her and said, "No, I bought fishing gear." She responded, "But I thought you wanted a gun?" I said, "We have Jesus."

What I didn't know is how much time I'd end up spending on the water fishing at Kiser Lake. Years later, after weathering a very painful divorce, I was shattered. My entire life was shattered. My marriage, my family, my hopes for the future, my budding ministry (hey, a guy can dream, right?). Everything was gone. I contemplated ending it all. I just wanted to get away and go somewhere alone where I could still my mind and heal. So, I'd go to Kaiser Lake and fish... in that silly inflatable floating tube. But, after being on the water for about an hour, God would nearly always join me. For a long time I didn't want to talk to Him, but I could feel Him there with me on that lake, just being silently present. He'd let me unload on him all my hurt, anger, and even blame until I'd break. I didn't realize it, but as I had it out with God and reeled in bass, bluegill, and crappie... He was slowly reeling me in from the depths of depression.

While on the lake during that period of my life, I discovered an aspect of God's love, grace, and mercy that I had never experienced, and desperately needed.

I'm glad I bought the fishing gear.

Romans 8:38-39 King James Version (KJV)
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[Amanah]

Great Post Bro Chris. Even though I own a glock and a 38, and my sister is always urging me to get a conceal & carry license, I've never had a desire to pursue it, maybe there is a reason for that.

[Scott Pitta]

Not concealing a gun in church has saved the lives of countless worship leaders who repeat choruses one time too many.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Scott Pitta

Not concealing a gun in church has saved the lives of countless worship leaders who repeat choruses one time too many.