Las Vegas, gun control and the Bible.

The USA’s latest multiple shooting atrocity in Las Vegas has hit the world headlines as the worst in a long line of similar incidents of rogue gunmen mowing down innocent civilians. As mourning once again overtakes the US, the big question occupying the media is whether or not President Trump will order a review of the gun laws that allow citizens the right to bear arms.

It will not be an easy decision as during his presidential campaign, Donald Trump was reported to have received financial support from the powerful gun lobby groups,¹ which historically have resisted every attempt to change the gun laws. Why do Americans regard it as a sacred right to carry a gun?

The Right to Bear Arms

I remember being shocked when we exchanged churches with an American minister in Los Angeles. He came and took pastoral responsibility for our church in London while I and my family moved into his home in LA and pastored his church for six weeks during the summer holiday. I have done similar exchanges with churches in New York, Vermont, Michigan, Ohio, Massachusetts and California, and I have a great love for my many American friends. My shock was when the LA minister said that he always carried a gun into church under his cassock and I should do the same!

I had been the minister of a church in Tottenham, a tough district of London, for 10 years: I’d seen street riots and I’d been involved in many violent situations, but I had never handled a gun. In inner-city areas of London with which I’m familiar, gun crime is rare and the majority of our policemen do not carry guns, even in these days of mounting terrorism.

As mourning once again overtakes the US, the media is asking whether or not President Trump will order a review of the gun laws.

Why is it that in the USA, where so many are Bible-believing Christians, even believers not only carry guns, but fiercely defend their right to purchase weapons, carry them in public and use them in self-defence? Is it something to do with their heritage?

Las Vegas Strip.In addition to our prayers for the American people, I would like to offer what I hope is a thought-provoking contribution to the gun control debate that is taking place in America amidst all the suffering and grief of this latest tragedy.

Taking Up the Gun

The USA, unlike Canada, was born in blood. Both the US and Canada were British colonies. Both the US and Canada had issues with Britain and rightly wanted to assert their freedom to determine their own future. The Canadians settled these issues by negotiation, remaining in the British Commonwealth, but the Americans took to the gun in a war that ended in independence in 1776.

Nearly a hundred years later there were issues between the northern and southern states. Once again Americans took to the gun in the bloody civil war of 1861-1865 in which thousands of young men were slaughtered or left carrying life-changing wounds.

Why do Americans regard it as a sacred right to carry a gun – is it to do with their heritage?

In the 20^th Century Hollywood took up the theme of heroism displayed in war and bloodshed, and perpetuated the American romance of conquering the Wild West and playing cowboys and Indians. John Wayne became the ideal type of American manhood with tough talk and a fast gun to settle disputes. Arguably, President Trump is continuing this image of American manhood with his threats to completely obliterate North Korea while pouring scorn on the idea of negotiating with Kim Jong-un.

Inconsistent Ideologies

In complete contrast, Americans are also proud of their historic Christian roots in the coming of the Pilgrim Fathers from Britain who were seeking a place where they could be free to practise their biblical Christian faith. This is recognised in the dollar bill that still bears the inscription ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’.

But the one-dollar bill also bears the image of the Great Seal of America that carries the insignia of the all-seeing-eye of pagan mythology. This symbolises an inconsistency in the American psyche that sees no contradiction in putting together two contrary ideologies.

At root here is a failure to recognise that you cannot be both a Bible-believing Christian whose trust is in God, and one who embraces the values of the world - including solving disputes by conquest and brutal force. The same contradictory attitude is seen in the realm of business and commerce, where monopolist values that trample upon small traders have come to dominate, even spreading into politics (as demonstrated to an extent in the election of Trump - the ideal global capitalist).

Being a Peacemaker

Jesus rightly perceived that we cannot serve two masters with diametrically opposite values. You cannot be a peace-maker if you also have your finger on a gun. The teaching of Jesus was, “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Matt 5:21).

Jesus was also consistent in rejecting all forms of violence for the settlement of disputes. He even went so far as to say “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’” (Matt 5:43-44).

Jesus not only taught this but practised it in his own life, deliberately choosing crucifixion rather than allowing his disciples to take to the sword (though Simon Peter tried!) or calling down a legion of angels for his defence.

You cannot be both a Bible-believing Christian whose trust is in God, and one who embraces the values of the world.

Recognising the Danger

I have no doubt that I will be told that the teaching of Jesus is utterly impracticable for nations today, and particularly that if other nations have nuclear weapons, we must too.

But such a policy can only end in an Armageddon-type conflict, which is prophesied in the Bible: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare” (2 Pet 3:10).

Though we do not know when the ‘day of the Lord’ will come, it may be that Peter also intended this prophecy as a warning of what will inevitably happen if human beings do not pause to reflect upon their actions and repent, calling upon God for his help. There is a promise in Jeremiah 18:7 that if the nations repent, judgment will not fall upon us. But disastrous destruction is inevitable if we do not change our ways. Then, the scenario described by Peter and Isaiah (chapter 24) will actually happen.

The dark clouds of judgment are already gathering on the world’s horizons, with so many nations, groups and individuals being driven relentlessly by the same evil spirit that motivated the Las Vegas murderer. Our prayer is that hearts will soften before it is too late.

We would love to hear from our readers – particularly those in the US - in response to these thoughts.

References

1 E.g. see here and here.