Would Jesus Own a Gun?

As the politicians bloviate on the matter of gun ownership in America, and whether or not the government should prohibit private citizens from owning some or all kinds of guns, the Christian ought to be asking this: What does the Bible say about possessing a gun?

Though there is no reference to “guns” in the Word of God, the biblical worldview is relevant to the question of self-defense.  Is it right to defend ourselves (and others) from physical attacks; and is it right ever to use a weapon in such self-defense?  If self-defense is morally right, then gun ownership is primarily a question of what kind of weapon(s) to use in defending oneself and others from physical harm when able to do so.

The naïve reader of the Bible wrongly interprets Jesus’ words to His disciples to “turn the other cheek.”  These people mistakenly think that Jesus prohibited all self-defense when He instructed, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’  But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil.  But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-39)  Jesus is not prohibiting self-defense, but barring individuals from taking personal vengeance so as to “get even” with another person.  The English verb “slaps” is the Greek word ῥαπίζει (rhapizō), which refers to a sharp slap given in insult (a right-handed person would use the back of the hand to slap someone “on the right cheek” according to rabbinic literature).  So the point is not to hit back when someone hits you as an insult.  But the idea of a violent attack to do bodily harm or even murder someone is not in view of this text.

Other passages of Scripture seem to show that it is right to try to avoid being harmed by a violent attacker.  In the Old Testament, when King Saul threw a spear at David, David “eluded Saul, so that he struck the spear into the wall,” and David fled from him. (1 Samuel 19:10).  In the New Testament, when King Aretas attempted to capture the Apostle Paul in Damascus, he escaped by being let down in a basket through an opening in the wall (2 Corinthians 11:32-33).  Jesus also escaped from an angry crowd at His hometown of Nazareth where they tried to throw Him off a cliff (Luke 4:29-30).  On another occasion, Jesus hid Himself in the Temple and then escaped from hostile Jews who were seeking to harm Him (John 8:1-59; 10:31-39).  In none of these cases did the person who was attacked “turn the other cheek” – That is, David did not hand the spear back to Saul and say, “Try again!”

In antiquity, people commonly carried swords for protection against robbers.  In another passage of Scripture, Jesus seemed to encourage His disciples to have swords for self-defense.  He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack.  Let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.  For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in Me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’  For what is written about Me has its fulfillment.”  And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.”  And He said to them, “It is enough.” (Luke 22:36-38)  Apparently, at least two of Jesus’ disciples … who had been with Him for three years … were still carrying swords; and Jesus had not forbidden this nor rebuke them.  When Jesus says, “It is enough,” He means that two swords are enough – an expression of approval for what they had just said and done.  Clearly, Jesus encouraged His disciples to carry a sword for self-defense; and even to “buy one” (v. 36) if they don’t have one. 

While it is true that Jesus later rebuked Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane for cutting off the ear of the servant of the high priest (Luke 22:50; John 18:10), this was because Jesus did not want His disciples to attempt to stop His forthcoming crucifixion or to try to start a revolt against Rome.  This is also the meaning of Matthew 26:52 – “All who take up the sword will perish by the sword.”  In that context, Jesus meant that those who take up the sword in an attempt to do the spiritual work of advancing the Kingdom of God by force will not succeed in that work; and if Jesus’ followers attempted to overthrow the Roman government as a means of advancing the Kingdom of God at that time, they would simply fail and perish by the sword.  It is noteworthy – Jesus did not tell Peter to throw away his sword, but to keep it … for He went on to say, “Put your sword back into its place.” (Matthew 26:52)

If these biblical accounts authorize the idea of self-defense (in general), and if Jesus encouraged His disciples to carry a sword as an effective weapon to protect themselves, then it appears morally right for a person to be able to use other kinds of weapons for self-defense.  Today that would include the use of a gun (where the nation or state allows this) or the use of other means such as pepper spray that would deter an attacker.  God wants us to protect and preserve life, and not to encourage actions that would harm self or others.  Therefore, acting in love both toward the attacker and toward one’s self would include opposing a violent attack before harm is done.  Our failure to face a vicious attack will often lead to even more harm and more wrongdoing.

In Wednesday’s posting, I’ll address what’s missing in our national dialogue.

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel