Should Churches Arm Their Members?

First Baptist Church Sutherland Springs, TX. A truly horrible occurred here last Sunday. I’m sure everyone reading this is aware of the details so I don’t need to repeat them. Among the responses to this massacre is the question, Should Churches Arm Their Members?

Before this took place, Dr. Michael Brown* wrote an article about Jesus and guns (you can read it here). I think it is a good article.

Tuesday after Sutherland Springs a pastor friend posted this article on Facebook. I encourage you to read it, but permit me to summarize the conclusion: Churches would do well to arm their members and train them to defend themselves against attack.

I thoroughly disagree with the author. Let me tell you why.

The author quotes the Old Testament for support. Well and good. But where in the New Testament are we told or encouraged to do this? In truth, the gospel says:

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Yes, we are soft targets precisely because we don't take up arms against our persecutors.

We are in a war, a very dangerous and deadly war, but who is it we are fighting?

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

Yes, we are in a war, but we wrestle not with flesh and blood – our enemies are spiritual forces and beings. And the goal of our warfare is not the death of our enemies but the casting down of imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and the bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ. And our weapons are not carnal, y’know, guns, swords, fists etc.

But what about the armor we’re supposed to put on? Doesn’t Paul exhort us to take up a sword?

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. (Ephesians 6:13-18)

Our warfare is in the spirit realm, our armor is spiritual. No, we don’t shoot those who attack us, we pray for their repentance and return to Christ.

In the discussion that followed his post, one of the questions asked was, Does Luke 22:36 have any application to the question [the article] raises?

Let’s take a look at Luke 22:36-38

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. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 
And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. 

I say, No.

First, It appears he wants there to be a sword so he can be reckoned among the transgressors.

Second, I know Peter lopped off that servant's ear, in response Jesus [said] unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? Otherwise, according to plan and principle, they offered no resistance. Listen, 12 guys with swords could've put up quite a fight.

Third, If we are to arm and defend ourselves how are we to be persecuted only for the name of Christ?

Fourth and linked to Third is 1 Peter 4:12-16: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. Not one word about a sword. Or fighting back. And this spirit continued into the next generations in the face of tremendous (and unresisted) persecution, leading Tertullian to say, the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.

I know this incident in Sutherland Springs wasn’t exactly persecution, but it’s coming. Dr. Brown wrote another article after this attack that speaks to this. I encourage you to read it as well.

How are we to respond to these things? Jesus said, But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Nothing about swords or guns or even security guards.

Should churches arm their members? No.

Here are a couple of other responses to this tragedy

This is amazing and is from one of the victims

This is pretty good too



*Dr. Michael Brown - a national and international speaker on themes of spiritual renewal and cultural reformation; widely considered to be the world’s foremost Messianic Jewish apologist