Reflections on culture, nature, and spirituality from a Christian perspective
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Grace and guns, do they go together? Nausea came over me this evening as I read in Christianity Today that some American megachurches are thinking about arming up to provide additional security against crazies and to secure their cash. One hell of an argument for downsizing church if you ask me. What sort of gospel message does this send out?
Can’t do much about the crazies without adding metal detectors at the doors, I would think.
Direct Deposit might help with the money problem, though: “No money, weapons caches or addictive drugs are found on these premises.”
On the topic of downsizing, I can’t see it happening, and I’m not sure that’s axiomatically a bad thing.
Large churches will plant smaller churches, but wouldn’t think that downsizing themselves would help in any way. It’s like suggesting that universities downsize to recapture the benefits and warmth of personal tutoring. It’s a nice idea in some respects, but some worthy aims are only possible when certain economies of scale are achieved.
The failings of small churches are less visible (so less embarrassing to the rest of us), but not automatically fewer, and their potential for specialized ministry to fragmented urban society is obviously less.
Large churches do tend to drift into monoculture or default to hierarchial organization or focus on the lowest common denominator, though, and clearly they can’t realize their potential without changing that.
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Tragic to say, but everyone in the USA is reaping the inevitable results of the “culture” of guns which saturates USA “culture” altogether.
I am amazed at the number of “right” thinking USA Christians who are loudly supportive of the gun “culture”. I come across their blogs all the time.
I wonder which gun or how many guns Jesus would recommend that a religious person own?
Or at what age a Christian child could/should be introduced to the “culture” of guns?
I believe that some (many) children are given their first gun at the tender age of 5 or 6.
If I remember rightly I think Dubbya authorised the wearing of handguns to/in churches in Texas while he was Governer.
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I grew up with my dad having guns in the house, he was a hunter. My brothers went hunting with him, although I don’t think it was at 5 or 6. I, however, do not have guns in my house. Most Americans, I think, take the 2nd Amendment very seriously, “the right to keep and bear arms”. I think alot of Christian in America are Americans first, and Christians second. I am very torn on this issue of guns and gun control, but I have a problem with a rent a cop at church carrying one. The church we use to attend had several gun toters who brought them with them at church to protect and serve I suppose! 😉
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“If I remember rightly I think Dubbya authorised the wearing of handguns to/in churches in Texas while he was Governer.”
Say what!!!!? Are you serious!
“The church we use to attend had several gun toters who brought them with them at church…”
I find that absolutely unbelievable. I had no idea it had gotten that serious. That would get you arrested here in Australia. I have only ever seen a gun a few times in my life, and I’ve managed security guard contractors! The thought that it is so acceptable that you could wear one in church is so alien I am not sure whether to believe you or not. You’re not just pulling my leg are you?
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No, I’m not pulling your leg. We had a friend who told us, very proudly I might add, that he had a concealed weapons permit, and he had his gun on him to protect the pastor, or the tithe or whatever!
I think it is interesting the difference of our two cultures. Gun ownership is just part of our culture as Americans. I found it strange that our friend brought his gun to church, but not that he owned one.
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I had an interesting conversation with my brother-in-law last night over this thread. He is a Christian, was taught to use a gun at an early age by his father (who had a farming background), has gone pig shooting even, yet when I told him about this guns in churches thing – he, like me, found it insane. He, like me, could only see how that escalated the risk of violence. The idea of owning guns for personal protection is just oxymoronic here, even amongst gun users. Our cultures are similar in many ways, but yet it would seem there is a major divergence here and that feeds back very interestingly into our respective theologies, particularly in conversations over the nonviolence of Jesus. Most Aussies view gunless society, not as an eschatological dream, but as a practical reality.
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Hey, Matt…my dad worked his way through seminary as an officer on the local police force. Sometimes he was actually on duty on Sunday morning and, while was allowed to wear civilian clothing, had his shoulder holster on. He got special dispensation from his captain after the elders in the church found out about it….
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I could understand special dispensation for a police officer on duty. Its the more vigilante stuff that disturbs me.
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