Does God prohibit or allow the use of guns? Pastor Shane Idleman seeks to find the answer in light of the tragic San Bernardino shooting that claimed 14 lives last Dec. 2.
Idleman says the Bible verse Proverbs 20:22 supports the ban on weapons, since it says: "Do not say, 'I will recompense evil'; wait for the Lord, and He will save you."
However, the Scripture provides for circumstances that deal with vengeance and vigilantism, not self-defence, according to Idleman. People who want to cause harm will always find a way to work around the law, and he believes that restricting firearms is not the answer.
"What we're seeing today is not a gun problem; it's a moral problem called sin. We are witnessing the rapid deterioration of a nation. We have lost our moral compass... we have lost the fear of the Lord. When the fear of the Lord decreases, evil increases," he writes in an article for The Christian Post.
Idleman then shares Romans 13:4, which specifies that one of the purposes of the authorities is to "execute wrath on him who practices evil."
These authorities are God's avengers, says Idleman. "Please don't misunderstand... as Christians, I believe that we are to seek peace at every turn and not drape the cross with the flag. But what about self-defence as a last resort and biblical mandates to protect when spouses or children are involved?" he asks.
In Matthew 26:52 Jesus says to Peter, "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword." Idleman notes that Jesus didn't denounce the sword but only clarified it's place. In his opinion, the Scriptures imply that weapons have a place in society. But people must exercise caution and restraint at all times.
Some might argue that Jesus taught people to love their enemies and bless those who curse them; however, Idleman says that Jesus never said anything about doing good "to those who are trying to harm your family."
Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:8 that if "anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
"Although we are to err on the side of grace and peace, there is a time and a place for confrontation and protection," he says. "Clearly understand that I'm not advocating violence or aggression; I'm advocating scriptural consistency and continuity. Context is the key factor here. Forgiving is not being passive, and granting grace is not being gullible."
"Are we called to guard our families spiritually, emotionally, and financially but not physically? This makes no sense. However, my concern with the current gun debate is that we are buying into the fear frenzy. A minimising of sovereignty is directly related to a magnifying of worry," he adds.
