Jesus and Guns

 

I have virtually nothing to say on the gun debate. Personally, I have no interest in guns and while I understand the Second Amendment, I have little understanding as to why people are so incredibly interested in guns. Having said that, however, as I have little understanding of this mindset, I’m not going to pass any judgment on it. People have a right to determine what is best for them and I’m going to absent myself from this debate, right or wrong in doing so.

There is one exception to this and it is in reference to Jesus and God. Often Jesus and guns or more generically, God and guns get lumped together. It seems to infer that godly people like guns and people who don’t like guns are ungodly. Or, it infers that God is a big fan of guns. We’ve seen signs abound which indicate that Jesus would carry a gun if he was in our midst right now.

All of this I find offensive.

Would Jesus have carried a gun? The definitely answer is we do not know. No one really knows who invented the first gun but we do know that the Chinese invented gun powder in the 9^th Century after Christ. When Jesus walked the earth and when the Bible was written and compiled, there were no guns. If you read about guns in your Bible at home, purchase a new Bible as the one you are reading is inaccurate.

There is no mention of Jesus ever carrying a sword or any other weapon. We know that Peter carried a sword and used it on one occasion to cut off a servant’s ear when Jesus was arrested. Jesus strongly condemned Peter for the action, however.

Biblically there appears to be strong evidence in the Gospels that Jesus was, himself, a pacifist. He spoke of peace and love and his civil disobedience was distinctly non-violent. In the very early church there was a practice of pacifism, but after the time of Constantine Christians joined the Roman Army and only some branches of Christianity practice pacifism today.

Having said this, Christians have benefited from wars, sometimes in increasing the faith (which does not seem to be something Jesus would have approved of) or in protecting people of faith. In the United States we cherish a freedom of religion that is precious. No person of faith, however, can claim that this freedom did not come without the shedding of blood. It is part of our history.

All of this comes to one thought. If you want to own weapons that is your legal right. But don’t lump your weapons with Jesus. He never advocated for guns and there is nothing in the bible to indicate he did. When we do this, we are in the process of becoming offensive. Frankly, saying Jesus is opposed to guns can also become offensive. I can make a strong argument that Jesus was a pacifist and that his main teaching was pacifism. I cannot make an argument that Jesus would have never carried a gun, however for the same reason we cannot make an argument that he would. They didn’t exist.

Think of all the things we can ponder about Jesus if we allow ourselves to do so?

What newspaper would Jesus subscribe to?

Would Jesus watch Fox, CNN, or MSNBC?

Would Jesus wear Speedos?

What kind of car would Jesus drive?

Would Jesus wear a tie that said Jesus on it and it was decorated with dozens of little crosses?

Who would Jesus have voted for in the last election?

Who is Jesus rooting for in the Super Bowl?

Would Jesus like fries with that?

Take note of all these questions. They are all absurd to ask in reference to Jesus but people can actually insert whatever answer they want. They do already.

Thus it is with guns. I do not believe that Jesus would ever have killed anyone. He demonstrated a willingness to die for others and expressed no willingness to kill for others. That is what I believe. My only request is this. Don’t put something in Jesus’ hands that would never have been in his hands in the first place. It is unseemly and frankly, offensive. If you want to own a gun, it is your right. Please do not credit your desire for a gun to Jesus. When we do so, we are putting words or objects in Jesus’ mouthj or hands that were never there.