Dr Paul Allen

Got Questions Website Quote: "Carrying a weapon for self-defence is never condemned in the Bible. In fact, it was mentioned in a positive light by Jesus Himself on one occasion (Luke 22:35-38).” Question to Got Questions: Why should these verses be used literally as in your article? Is Jesus not saying you face an uncertain future? Answered by: John from Got Questions Scripture quotations are taken from The New American Standard Bible. Thank you for your question. Jesus issued instructions on two different occasions. "These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them, saying, `Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.` (Matthew 10:5a,9-10) `And He said to them, `When I sent you out without purse and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?` And they said, `No, nothing.` And He said to them, `But now, let h...

But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And 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. ( Luke 22:36–37 ESV ) THE USA GUN DEBATE AND JESUS However, before we all go out and start a Christian arms race, it might be worth noting that about an hour later Jesus said to the disciples: “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword” ( Matthew 26:52 ESV ). So which is it? Swords good or bad? Guns: Good or Bad? For this and many other reasons, most commentators understand Jesus as speaking metaphorically in Luke 22:36-37 . Matthew Henry for example says: This is intended only to show that the times would be very perilous, so that no man would think himself safe if he had not a sword by his side. But the sword of the Spirit is the sword which the d...

Luke 22:35-38 says: 35 [Jesus] asked them [the eleven apostles], "When I sent you out without a purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "No, not a thing." 36 He said to them, "But now the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered among the lawless’; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled." 38 They [the disciples] said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "It is enough," he replied. (NRSV) The textual context reveals at least two truths. First, Jesus contrasts his ministry before his arrival in Jerusalem with the tense few days in Jerusalem when spies and the authorities themselves were seeking to trap him. Does the tension play a part in understanding why he told his disciples to go out and buy swords? This is answered, below. Second, he says that he ...

English: Bouguereau's L'Innocence. Both young children and lamb are symbols of innocence. Français : Bouguereau — (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Christians have something to add to the conversation about Newtown We understand what innocence is. We understand what sin is, and what the consequences of it are. We have categories that are sufficient to make sense of a senseless tragedy. After all, the slaughter of innocent children is right there, in the Christmas story. Soldiers with bloody swords were right on the heels of the wise men. The prophecy of the slaughter of children is literally the next verse after the prophecy of the virgin birth (Jer 31:13-14; 15). Some observations are obvious and can be made by Christians and non-Christians alike. If you have a mentally unstable child who is prone to violence, don’t stockpile guns in your house, for example. At least don’t teach him how to use them. You also don’t have to be a Christian to realize that the slaughter of chil...