My First Book on the Second Amendment
Hey, we all need to start somewhere. This is intended to be a reference for Christians, Yahwists, and all those of the Messianic or Nazarene faith. Devotion to a faith, especially for novitiates, can be a heady experience, often resulting in extremes that their zeal will accomplish in the first rush to a better way of life. As with many fine things in life though, they tend to mellow and improve with age.
Let’s dwell on things we do for a while. We have vocations, things we do for a living, and avocations, things we do for pleasure, or as a diversion, or for other reasons. How we make our living can be an interesting subject. What we do for recreation, or to help others can also be interesting. Let’s dwell on semantics too. Consider a professional writer for a while. He makes his living with a word processor, typewriter, or in olden times, a pen. We’ve heard that the pen is mightier than the sword. In many ways, no doubt it is. In an actual mortal combat, perhaps the man with the pen would be at a disadvantage. In a political confrontation, the man with the pen could easily prevail. What I’d like to discuss are some of the implications of how these two hypothetical men live; one by the pen, and one by the sword.
How would we define a man who lives by the pen? Perhaps a professional writer, skilled in words? A man who, if faced with a life or death question, or any very important emergency, would prefer to deal with it according to his skill with the pen and words? Being able to do so would almost guarantee that he would prevail, for therein lies his skill, and his confidence. Would we all share his confidence? Most of us have pens, and are at least literate enough to have read this “primer” so far. Few would claim to live by the pen though, even those who possess many pens, and even those who are quite literate. For even of the literate who possess pens, many would deny to be one who lives by the pen. Perhaps he would say; “My confidence is in a higher power”, or “I am a mechanic”, or a baker, doctor, or another trade. And even if he were a skilled writer, he may address a question of sustenance or survival with other strategies; perhaps compromise, economic concession, humor, or even, heaven forbid, violence.
Which brings us to the second category, those who live by the sword. Why did Yahshua tell Peter to “Put up your sword, for those who take up the sword, shall die by the sword”? Good question. In Howards “Hebrew Gospel of Matthew”, it may have meant something more like “…he who causes the sword to flame, by the sword he will fall…” In the Aramaic Peshitta, there may be an implication that such a fate will befall those who praise the taking up of swords. Would it suffice to say that the implication is that violence would best be, if at all possible, left as a more remote resort? And would such advice not have been well placed with Shimon Kepha, who was known for being perhaps quicker with action than with consideration? But would merely owning a sword, and being prepared to use it, under appropriate circumstances, be sufficient to identify one who “lives by the sword”? Maybe we should refer back to the previous paragraph, to compare the analogy of one who lives by the pen.
However we decide, we will need to square up our conclusions with other words of Yahshua, including his admonition for those whom he was sending forth as sheep among wolves. Those of them who had no sword were instructed to buy one. Whereas previously, they had been sent out without wallet, money, or even shoes, at the end of his sojourn with them, they were instructed that henceforth, they should avail themselves of wallet, money, and a sword. Clearly, this was indicative that in his absence, they would be expected to deal with a harsher reality of more urgent physical needs than they had before his offering up. Can we accept that? Clearly, he was not advising them to “live by the sword”, which would have implied the desirability of armed violence as a prime resort for every possible challenge or adversity. But equally clearly, being lawfully armed would give them potentially life-saving options that would not be otherwise available. While Yahshua gives us assurance that our father in heaven will provide for our needs and our safety, it is obvious that he also expects us to take a responsible assumption of use of the resources he has made available to accomplish these ends.
Ok now; those of us who are not yet completely convinced: you know who you are! 'Fess up!...... ...Think back to Abraham, going to rescue his "brother" Lot, from the foreign kings. Armed his 318 servants, and set off to the rescue. Did Avraham keep and bear arms? Did he trust his friends and servants with them? (hint; think "yes") Did he "live by the sword"? (hint; think "no") We have read, "he who lives by the sword shall die by the sword", and most of us believe it. Did Abraham die by the sword? Not that we know. Therefore we may conclude fairly, I hope, that he did not live by it either. What did he live by? Can we conclude "By every word of Yahweh?" Let's go and do thou likewise, and stop accusing every peaceful gun owner of "living by the sword". It won't work anymore. Get over it.
Let’s give thanks then, to our merciful Yahshua and his father in heaven, and not despise the 2nd amendment to the US Constitution, but use it with honor and the thanksgiving appropriate to servants of the most high. Yahweh bless!
"FrontSight" is a training centre in Nevada that wants to help you learn to shoot a gun better. http://www.frontsight.com/free-gun.asp
Post script. We have saved the bad news for last. Your personal action can turn it into good news. To see how "drugged" students become mass murderers, follow this link: http://youtube.com/watch?v=gUchjOKxKY8.