Ummm...yes. Yes he did!
But the point is, Jesus’s handpicked group had weapons on hand. I do not see this as a call to go out and acquire weapons (though most of us do that anyway) but it certainly throws ice water on pacifists.
As for his interpretation that Jesus needed some weapons around to shore up the charges against him, those charges were based upon his teachings and not his zealotry with armed insurrection.
Sounds to me like he was talking about Judas. "Let the one who betrayed me (and has the money to prove it) clear out of here. And he'd be wise to arm up on the way out."
Jesus was not anti-weapon. Weapons were used throughout the entire Bible for the defense of property, defense of person, defense of wealth. If God gives us something it’s obvious He wants us to defend it.
Self defense always permitted ,but not required except by those who have duties like parents who have children to raise.
Defense of others always required if possible.
Jesus died for our good and salvation.. He said forgive them for they know not what they do.
And we should sacrifice ourselves for good of others as did Christ for their good and when they know not what they do.
We should defend ourselves otherwise else we are committing suicide or sought martyrdom which is sinful.
Maybe these thoughts are Scriptural enough.
It would be nice to hear Opinions, Scriptural and logician reasons removed from Emotions to support either points of view.
It was a figure of speech at the time. Jesus was just warning His disciples that they were about to become outlaws once they started preaching in His name.
Theologians are like public toilets. You can find one practically anywhere, and they're almost always full of crap.
To cut to the chase, Dr. Brown is saying you can’t be a Christian and a gun owner.
Although he (grudgingly) admits that maybe churches might have security, perhaps retired soldiers disqualified from serving, per their pious fellows, as deacons or elders due to their violent past.
Or he’s saying that the scripture cited says the opposite of what Jesus said ... because He was being ironic.
I suppose you must need a degree in theology to understand plain English, but I don’t recall from countless sermons and Sunday school lessons that Jesus was much of a stand-up comic.
This is as offensive as the Church 500 years ago opposed to a Bible in the `vulgate’ because then parishioners might start asking stupid questions. In so many words, he’s tinkling down our laymen legs.
Speaking of reading in context; the author is forgetting what follows the Garden of Gethsemane.
The apostles would be on the run or in hiding as hunted men. Every hand would be against them.
Jesus knew this. They would no longer be a unified group but on the run as individuals or pairs. Two swords would not be enough.
Why did Jesus rebuke Peter just a few minutes later for using his sword against the soldiers who came to take Him
Why was Peter rebuked?
First, it was necessary for the fulfilment of the prophecies for Jesus to be taken and crucified. Second, his followers must not be seen to be combatants of lawful authority.
However, in the coming days, Jesus followers would also be persecuted by the unlawful and would need to defend themselves from those who would prey upon those fleeing the authorities. Those living outside the law will be preyed upon by others living outside of the law and will need to defend themselves.
Clearly. He troop was clearly armed most all of the time. Never enough for an offensive operation, merely enough to defend themselves. Yeshua did not let the guard down until the garden, when he voluntarily surrender, because it was time for that to occur.
In never saw where the “turn the other cheek” dictat was for those who wanted to harm/kill you - it was pretty much a rehash of the Old Testament telling folks to treat the ass-hats with kindness as it would be akin to pouring hot coals over their heads.
Context, context, context.
Weapons for protection are neither always O.K. nor always to be condemned. I believe the context of protection is where any judgment about them would be, the same as it is when we proclaim it is not the gun that kills someone.
Turn the other Cheek...
If I turn the other cheek
You will get
“A Look that could Kill!”
Hit me once,
Shame on You.
Hit me Twice,
Shame on Me!
As far as Guns...
I carry three nites a week,
You guess which.
Americans Always Will have Guns
in one hand and a Bible in the other,
ask Barack Hussein Odumbo.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+22%3A36-38&version=AKJV
Luke 22:36-38 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
36 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.
37 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.
38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
Scholars should seek the truth in scripture, not dig for support backing their preferred answers. I find the Bible most useful when its guidance goes against my instincts. It’s reassuring when God’s word tells me I’m okay, but it’s far more important when scripture sets me back on the right track. I read for truth, not for an echo chamber.
I checked a lot of translations in several languages, including old versions and scholarly commentaries, before purchasing my first gun. I just reread many versions to refresh my memory. None of them struck me as irony or sarcasm. None sounded like a call to arm ourselves like monks in a Chinese monastery. All sounded like the words of a scholar who understood a much older passage about balance:
Ecclesiastes 3 King James Version (KJV)
3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
My personal opinion is that Jesus commanded us to take responsibility for defending ourselves and our faith against thugs and criminals. Defense against Rome (government)? No, at least not when it was hopeless.
He knew two of his disciples had swords, but He brought that topic up for the purpose of guiding us. He did not want us to exclusively and blindly follow the “turn the other cheek” passage. This was a case of “To every thing there is a season . . . .” He gave permission for us to arm ourselves, and He modified that with a caution that arms should not take center stage in our lives or in our faith. Swords? Yes . . . but in moderation, as with so much else in our lives.
Our responsibility to feed the poor and care for the sick includes (as just one facet) a responsibility to defend the weak against predators, and that may require a sword. It also requires that we not spend all of our time, money, and energy on weapons, but actually get out there and help those in need.
My self-defense rights are not contained within the section of Scripture under discussion and don’t require bolstering by checking the Gospels or the words of Jesus. Self-defense rights are superior to any creed, statement of faith, or convocation of human religious leaders, no matter the letters behind their names. Allowing such religious charlatans to embroil clear-thinking and liberty-minded patriots in such discussions is contrary to the larger goals which must become a priority rather than angels dancing on pins. Dr. Brown may continue to amuse himself in the annals of Townhall.com but I’ll not participate.
Hmm, interesting
Also with gun ownership comes the duty to be diligent in practice & training, and when the crises arise to be bold to rise to meet the challenge to protect our loved ones. Without the latter then all the former is useless and you were just a gun collector.
Peter took Jesus’ words literally as he used his sword to cut off the slave’s ear, which Jesus then healed.
He that has a purse, let him take it, for he may need it. They must now expect that their enemies would be more fierce than they had been, and they would need weapons. At the time the apostles understood Christ to mean real weapons, but he spake only of the weapons of the spiritual warfare. The sword of the Spirit is the sword with which the disciples of Christ must furnish themselves.
Prayer and the Holy Spirit is more powerful than any weapon, including nuclear bombs. There is a reason that satan fears “Love.” as he feels it will kill him.
We are having global warming, but not as most think. It is due to the increased presence of the Holy Spirit on earth. We truly are in wonderful times.
If it were not for the increased presence of the Holy Spirit, no one on earth would survive. Pray and Trust God.
I believe Christians have a choice, especially in the end times. Revelation 13:9 & 10 NASV
“If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
“If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.”
The letters to the churches are very important.