Calvin & Hops: The Armed Christian: Where Firearms Fit in the Modern Christian World

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

The Armed Christian: Where Firearms Fit in the Modern Christian World

“If we see the lives or livelihoods of any in danger of being taken away unjustly, we ought to bestir ourselves all we can do to save them …”

- Proverbs 24:11-12

Thursday, 26 October 2017 from 1800-2000(ish)

The Noble Savage (21 and over)

With the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas, much ink is being spilled concerning firearms, availability, restrictions, liberty, morality of self-defense and other related topics. As Christian men, God has laid the expectations at the feet of heads of households that they protect, provide for and defend their families and protect and defend their countries. If this is true, then the conversation in light of reaction to this tragedy is where we as men, laity, and leaders should stand.

Questions:

Is gun control a personal moral/ethical issue or simply a political/philosophical one?
Where should we stand in the tension between Romans 13 and God's call to protect the weak?
Is God more glorified "if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake" (1 Peter 3:14) or in "defending the weak and the fatherless; upholding the cause of the poor and the oppressed...rescuing the weak and the needy; delivering them from the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 82:3-4)?
Was the example of individuals and communities coming together to defend themselves and destroy their attackers (and take their spoils!) in Esther 8:3-9:11 a descriptive or prescriptive one for our communities?
Is pacifism a legitimate position for the Christian man? Or Machine Gun Preacher Sam Childers?

Readings:

Christians, the Second Commandment, and the Duty of Self-Defense (The Captain's Journal Blog: Herschel Smith)
Shooters, the Tower of Babel, and Gun Control (Blog & Mablog: Douglas Wilson)
Why All Christians Can Back Better Gun Control (Christianity Today: Sharron Miller)
Should Christians be Encouraged To Arm Themselves? (Desiring God: John Piper)

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Why we're here

The Philosophy Behind C&H,

One of my all-time favorite quotations comes from John Wayne. “Life is tough…it’s tougher if you’re stupid.” Though not necessarily related to stupidity, there exists a common failure on the part of Christian men to humbly sharpen their reasoning skills and learn from one another. We, like much of the heathen world around us, fall into the trap of failing to ever challenge one another’s thinking either because of personal cowardice or for unreasonable fear of causing offense. While I do not advocate offense for its own sake, I do advocate the sharpening of one another in the bond of true Christian love, toward the end of excellence in spiritual warfare with the forces of darkness around us. Let us help each other “take every thought captive to Christ!”

Calvin and Hops is a monthly (generally) meeting of men from a variety of Christian churches in the Bossier City/Shreveport area in an informal setting to discuss a topic of general interest. Our primary objective is to grow in knowledge and wisdom and the ability to reason, for the sake of the gospel. Christ is Lord of all, and we need to be able to communicate that to others. This is true whether we are discussing Biblical canon or homosexual "marriage". But, I ask you, which is the more likely subject in your workplace? Which is the more likely "hook"with the unbelievers around you that you can use to lead them to the fear and wisdom of the Holy One?

I will establish the topic of the evening as indicated on this blog. However, the topic of the evening may be trumped by another “hot” topic if it seems appropriate. Please use information posted on this blog to prepare for meaningful discussion. Also, I’m always soliciting for topics of interest; just contact me using the blog contact form, email, text, phone call, carrier pigeon, or just telling me at church/work/other.

Please mark your calendars and feel free to pass this on to other men you think will be interested. If they want to be on the mailing list, they’ll need to send me an email address and a name.

In Him,

RTR

P.S. This is a men-only meeting, as we need to be free to discuss things as men, the way men do. However, for those of you with young sons, I highly encourage you to consider bringing them, as long as you deem it appropriate given their age and maturity level; we would also change the venue if this is an issue. I think that our sons can learn much from the accumulated wisdom of older men, teaching them to follow (and think about) Christ effectively).

How We Work

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT:

1. Don't bring it weak; participate, don't merely spectate

2) Have a thick skin

3) No personal attacks (ad hominem), either given or received

4) No sidebars...it's just plain rude.

5) No texting/phone use (unless you have young children/family that must reach you)

6) Define & clarify your terms - ambiguity serves both the speaker and listener poorly

7) Never, ever, walk out the door offended or offensive - keep short accounts and our spears aimed at the common enemy rather than each other

8) Always think about how this applies to you, your family, church, neighborhood, city, region, state, country, and world (roughly in that order)...change starts in the heart/head and works outwards.