Guns and Roses

During orientation for 1st year seminary students we were given the opportunity to write about a topic and possibly waive a normally required course on research and writing techniques. We were asked to choose between two current news articles and develop a response to the story in 20 minutes. The story that I wrote about concerned bringing guns to church. Well about a week ago another story came to light about a proposed Georgia law that would permit guns in churches. Guns in church is a whole different discussion; what has been sticking with me is one of the comments posted in response to the article. “Armed Geek” wrote:

Luke Chapter 22 NIV
35Then Jesus asked them, 'When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?'
'Nothing,' they answered.

36He said to them, 'But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'[b]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.'

38The disciples said, 'See, Lord, here are two swords.'
'That is enough,' he replied.

The belief that Christians should be unarmed sheep for the slaughter is both unbiblical and morally repugnant.

So here is a Bible quote that justifies carrying guns. Wow – Jesus says we should carry guns.

But I am not too sure about Jesus packing heat. Two of my professors (thanks to Julia and Greg for the wisdom) have mentioned looking at what comes before and after a passage to understand that passage. Also, is the interpretation of the passage consistent with the message of the whole book or Bible? Does “Armed Geek’s” Bible quote hold up to this examination?

In this passage Jesus is about to face persecution and arrest. He knows this is coming. He is also preparing his disciples for the probability that they too will be arrested. Following this passage Luke shows us Jesus’ response to the use of swords later in this chapter. When one of the disciples cuts off the ear of the slave of the high priest Jesus says “No more of this!” and heals the slave with a touch. Then he turns to the priests, police, and elders saying “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit?....But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!” (NRSV 22:51-53). Here Jesus has aligned the use of swords with the power of darkness. Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

What came before this passage? Peace and love! I can’t find a passage about Jesus striking with a sword, carrying a sword, or wanting a sword. Jesus lived as a pacifist. Why would he now want swords? We know that Jesus liked to talk in parables, liked to use metaphors and generally confuse his disciples. Well I would suggest (and so do a lot of good Bible commentaries) that “Armed Geek” is quoting one of Jesus’ metaphors. The disciples took his statement at face value and so did “Armed Geek.” The response to this could be as Jesus said in exasperation "It is enough."

It is enough using Bible passages out of context. It is enough trying to distort the teachings of our Savior to further a cause – a cause that is not supported by the life and actions of Jesus. Jesus showed us love and compassion; that is not congruent with violence and guns. “Armed Geek’s” interpretation of the passage is not congruent with the life and teachings of Jesus, nor is it congruent with the disdain for the sword that follows in the same chapter. It does not stand up to the exercise of actually reading the Bible.

However, “Armed Geek” should be comforted to know that the disciples also got it wrong. Jesus was simply preparing them for persecution and for learning to live with the realities of the sword being used against them. The disciples, and “Armed Geek,” are not to actually use a sword, but they are to stand strong with the strength of the sword, not the violence of the sword, in their hearts. I remember news footage of Vietnam War protests. The protesters placed flowers in the barrels of the rifles carried by the National Guard Troops and the police. That is how I believe Jesus would have faced a gun, he would have calmly placed a long stem rose in the barrel of the gun.

Peace be with you,