My head hurts from the biblical logic displayed at various Christian anti-war sites.
Invariably, this mantra is repeated over and over: “Love your enemies. Just love-em.”
Sounds great, right? But what about this very possible scenario?
Let’s say, you have just bought a new rifle and some ammunition at a sporting goods store for a planned hunting trip to Alaska. As you walk through the mall toward your auto, you hear AK-47 shots being fired. You sneak behind a pillar, and peak around at the mall lobby.
There you see a terrorist shooting innocent shoppers. Bodies are lying on the floor. People are pleading for their lives. What do you do?
Do you unwrap your rifle, load some shells in it and then, shoot the sucker? Or do you just stand there oozing love-waves all over the terrorist?
Jesus did say, “Love your enemies (Matt. 5:44)”, but He also said, “Love your neighbors as yourself (Mark 12:31).”
And in this case, your neighbors are being killed by your enemy. So, which verse, will you obey?
A possible spiritual dilemma?
And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was any place found for them in heaven any longer. (Revelation 12: 7-8)
Notice how the Lord handled His enemy, the one He called a murderer and a destroyer. There was no peace conference to air Satan’s complaints. There was no compromise or excuses accepted. Instead, there was an all-out war.
Now, to be honest, each believer has to decide on his own what he will do if this type of situation ever arises, but I know what I”ll do.
I’ll load the rifle’s chamber with shells, look down the sights and squeeze the trigger.
Swimming Upstream appears at this blog site on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It’s a little of this and a little of that, all written to encourage and exhort believers in their Christian journeys.
Larry Who 
Just so everyone knows: I don’t own a gun and don’t go hunting.
Just so everyone knows: we own guns which are unloaded and put away. I don’t know how to use them which is even more dangerous than a wacko who does know how to use them. The ridiculous part is the scenario as follows: good evening, I’m your burglar for tonight. Oh, how do you do? Do sit down. Excuse me while I fish out the guns and try and figure out how to shoot you and not the furniture.
Either you defend your home, friends, loved ones, neighborhood, and/or nation against enemies who are well past the Barney Love Song, or you don’t.
jane,
An evangelist who held tent crusades told the following story:
He said he heard some noises outside his trailer late one night. So, he put on his clothes and shoes and went outside. There he discovered two men who were about to torch his tent.
“Hey, what are you doing?” the evangelist said.
“We’re going to burn your tent down,” one man replied.
“You absolutely won’t do that in Jesus’ name,” shouted the evangelist.
“Yeah, right!” said the other man, laughing aloud. “Jesus can’t stop us!”
“Maybe you’re right. Maybe He won’t,” said the evangelist. “But I’d bet this shotgun will.” He raised up a shotgun and aimed at the two men.
The two men dropped their torches and hit the road.
The Bible instructs us to plan ahead of time for as many contingencies as possible. Maybe, owning a gun is one of them.
While personally I’m not into gun culture in any way nor do I support guns, I too have difficulty with the “just love them” idea. A while ago at my kids’ school a visiting church group did a skit and presentation on bullies, and how to deal with them. “Love them” was pretty much the answer, with a few “maybe they need a hug” type lines in there.
‘Scuse me? Are you crazy?
Their idea for 8 yr old kids who are being bullied is to say, “Hey, I love you. Do you need a hug?” Talk about recipe for getting your kid home with a black eye.
Philippa,
Thanks for your comments.
We Christians struggle with how to handle physical confrontations. Most of the time, especially with kids, it eventually works itself out. Maybe, there will be a few bruises or bloody noses, but it will be worked out.
But with possible terrorists’ attacks on our cities, we believers may have to make some tougher decisions. Ones that we do not like…right now.
first comment… we shall have to help you change that.
You see what is coming. Ammo is drying up as well.
*sigh*
rebuildingruins,
Thanks for the nteresting comment. One that I will reflect on.
You know I don’t speak lightly bro. I can’t afford to anymore.
wow. my old website is now credit repair.
This is my new one… in the works… slowly. 😉