Saturday Song: Yellow, "She's Got a Gun"

Much has been published about gun control over the years. Proponents say that crimes involving guns would seas if only the police had them. Others say it's the gangs and criminals who misuse guns who are the problem.

A Swiss band called Yellow recorded a song back in 1981 about a man who's attracted by a woman and follows her. But as the title says, she's got a gun. Here's the link to the song.

Nowhere in the New Testament does it say we're to go on the offensive, taking vengeance in Christ's name. Even so, he did advise in Luke 22:36 (BBE) that his disciples can use weapons in self defence. "And he said to them, 'But now, he who has a money-bag, or a bag for food, let him take it: and he who has not, let him give his coat for money and get a sword.'"

Swords are used for two purposes, offence and defence. The Philistines removed all the swords during the reign of King Saul for the reason of sword control. As 1 Samuel 13:19-21 (BBE) explains, the Philistines had a monopoly on sharpening iron tools. "Now there was no iron-worker in all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, 'For fear the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears:' But all the Israelites had to go to the Philistines to get their ploughs and blades and axes and hooks made sharp; For they had instruments for putting an edge on their ploughs and blades and forks and axes, and for putting iron points on their ox-driving rods."

Now some folks will point out Romans 13:1-7 which proscribes the use of the sword. But the Apostle Paul was making the point that we mustn't take vengeance because that belongs to the Lord. It doesn't mean that we can't defend ourselves and our loved ones if attacked by criminals.

And as for the swords which King Saul and prince Jonathan had, those two weapons helped gain a victory over the Philistine garrison. As 1 Samuel 14:13 and 14 (BBE) tells us, Jonathan and his Armour berror defeated Israel's enemies with the help of God. "And Jonathan went up, gripping with his hands and his feet, his servant going up after him; and the Philistines gave way before Jonathan when he made an attack on them, and his servant put them to death after him. And at their first attack, Jonathan and his servant put to the sword about twenty men, all inside the space of half an acre of land."

Of course this doesn't mean we should kill for the Lord. Remember how Jesus rebuked Peter in Matthew 26:52 (BBE) for cutting off the high priest's ear? "Then says Jesus to him, Put up your sword again into its place: for all those who take the sword will come to death by the sword."

So we know that vengeance is the Lord's but he does allow us to defend ourselves in extreme cases. Otherwise he wouldn't have told his disciples to sell a garment to buy a sword.

On Monday, provided Christ hasn't returned, I hope to post about the 1969 moon landing and the common cold.

Is Christianity a Religion of War?

My previous post dealt with the uniqueness of Christianity. One of its unique attributes is that we believers aren't called to fight on behalf of our deity.

The people in this world should be extremely grateful that Christ forbad taking up the sword by his disciples to defend him. Read Luke 22:49-51 for the context of my assertion. Had this not been so, this world would be a much bloodier place if he commanded us to smite the necks of "unbelieving infidels."

Jesus said in Matthew 5:38-40 (KJV), "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also."

Since vengeance belongs to the Lord God Almighty, he will repay the unrepentant wicked people for their hateful deeds. As God said in Deuteronomy 32:35 (KJV), "To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste." Therefore, it isn't the Christian's duty to attack evildoers.

One Hindu writer on the Web did bring up the matter of Christ telling his disciples to buy a sword. He erroneously assumed that this made Christianity a violent religion. Luke 22:36 (KJV) reads, "Then said he unto them, 'But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.'"

Examine the context and you'll find that Christ never meant the sword to be literal but the Sword of the Spirit who would soon come to them. Notice too that the previous verse was about the time they were sent out without money and extra clothes. They lacked nothing then but this time they needed to be careful.

It's this uniqueness which I wish to highlight in my upcoming You Think You're Going to Heaven? book. Because of the multitude of evidence proving that Christianity is based in reality, people must heed Christ's commandments and follow him daily.