An Armed Camp?

"Kris, what do you think about this idea?  I want to bounce this off you before I go to the church's eldership ..."

And so came his idea of having armed members or a security force to watch over the church during services.  And we had a LONG discussion about the idea that it is wise to turn the church into an armed camp ...  You have to admit that with the fear and paranoia running rampant in our society right now, it is hard to argue against his idea.

Of course, this is a paranoia based on fear due to the events across the world brought on by the corrupt leadership in this world today, whom sought to remove all non-democracies throughout the Middle East and North Africa, funded and supplied those willing to overthrow those governments.  Unfortunately, they chose hard line Islamist as their allies, whom have since turned the tables on those whom originally empowered them.  No, I am not going into a political rant here - just background to the situation.

Around the world, these Islamist are now feeling empowered to move against Christians everywhere.  It really does not matter the country, it is happening.  Even in hard line China and North Korea, abortive attempts have been made!  Freer societies are of course choice pickings.  And, churches are very soft targets to move against.  The bigger the church, the greater the impact terrorist can generate.  It is numbers that count here, not ones-twosies!

Are you worried?  Go search for church attacks before you say no - the data exists, at least last week it did!  But, as I have found numerous times across the past month, someone is "cleaning" up the internet of data which would be unsavory to those in power.  Interesting, but I don't really care, my path is far different than theirs ...

Fear is the keyword here and fear is not something which comes from God, it does however lay completely in the realm of Satan.  So, when we let fear dictate our decision, no matter how good the cause - we get black eyes in the world's view.  And Jesus does not bless black eyes.

It would be well and good to desire to protect our loved ones at church ... but not by playing the fear game.  If you want an armed camp, to turn churches in to safe houses against "them" - uhm, what did you just say about your faith in God and His ability to control your days?

You are not going to die one second sooner than God designed for you.  Conversely, Jesus told his followers to arm themselves (Luke 22:36).  Depending upon your personal convictions, this can mean or not mean that you are to be armed and know how to PROTECT yourself.  Of course, you are also told not to kill (Mark 10:19) ... well actually, it is commit MURDER you are not allowed to do.  Self defense is not murder.  And let us not forget that "those whom live by the sword, die by the sword" (Matthew 26:52)  - again another twisted scripture.  If your way of life is by the sword, if you take up the sword in offensive action (as the disciple had done in this passage), then you are condemned to die that way.  Yeah, think about that one!

And now is a good time to pause and reflect on the Book of the Revelation or John's Apocalypse (depending upon your translation of the Bible).  You as a Christian, at any point in time since 31 AD +/- are guaranteed that the future is bleak and war will be waged at some point or continually against you and yours - as Satan lashes out at God and Jesus.  Hmmmm.

And, remember, I am at my heart a Hutterite.  I believe in pacifism, I believe in the sanctity of human life.  I believe that to kill someone is to remove their last possible moment of decision to repent before God, in Jesus name of course.

Yet ... when war is declared upon your friends and family, how can one not choose to defend?  Note, I did not say hunt down or strike before they become a threat to you!

In my mind, I see the solution as simple: I am often armed, not for self defense, because I want to be in God's presence and to know lasting peace.  But, to stop problems which do occur which can injure or kill my friends or family.  (You really do not want to touch my family!)  The day may come, I do not know, when I have to make that decision again - to squeeze or not - to aim high or low - to kill or not.  I have had to make that choice before and I have never killed anyone - and I would like it to stay that way.  But, would I put myself between my pastor and a jihadist?  Unfortunately, I think that answer would be yes.

Does my church need to make public or semi public decisions about being a safe house or armed?  That would only draw flies for the feast.  You do not advertise such things!

To take up arms in self defense is completely between you and God.  But, if you choose to, then by all means put in the practice to know how to use your choice of weapon!  Nothing sickens me more than seeing someone with a knife and no idea how to use it, much less a Rambo wanna-be, sigh ...  Remember that even Bear Spray will stop any and all threats (well, unless they are on meth - but then they are not likely to be threatening you!).

Sticky subject, practical subject and you have to choose wisely and for the correct reasons.  Nothing is easy but through much prayer - you will come to the correct decision.

Just like everything else in this life!  Prayer and more Prayer!  Only more is at stake here: God witness through you and His reputation ....