At the end of 2019 there was another horrible Church shooting in Texas.
Only this one ended quite differently from the 2017 tragedy at Sutherland Springs, Texas where dozens were killed or injured. The church had learned the lesson of Sutherland Springs and the killer was stopped in 6 seconds, taking only two lives. The video revealed that in addition to the hero who shot the killer there were about half a dozen church members who had stood up with their pistols to confront the killer.
Yet with the obvious contrast to the 2017 tragedy, there were some who questioned the idea of the letting church members take their guns to church. There were, of course, the usual anti-gun politicians who apparently would rather see more “Gun Violence” victims than gun carrying heroes. However, there were conscientious Christians who wrestled with the spiritual implications of guns in church.
We know that the Temple guards and even the levities carried swords (see 2 Chronicles 23:6-10). However, a more instructive example is found in the story of Queen Esther.
You know the story. The enemies of the Jews had tricked the King of Persia into signing a decree allowing the Jewish worshippers of God to be slaughtered. Queen Esther cleverly and courageously presented her case to the King. The King asked Mordecai to write a decree “As seems best to you” (Esther 8:8).
Interestingly, Mordecai did not ask the King to send out his army or the local police to protect the worshippers. Perhaps he understood that state provided protection is only good as long as the police are there, and is not available when they are gone. In the modern case of a church killer, relying only on police protection would leave the congregation helpless for many minutes when dozens could be shot.
Neither did he ask that the King disarm the enemies of the worshipers. He would have recognized that the weapons themselves were not evil, only those who use them with evil intent. Then, as now, bad people can always get weapons and banning them only endangers good people. To a killer, a “Gun free zone” sign on the church door means “Killers welcome”.
What Mordechai did ask for is what we call the Jewish Second Amendment. He asked that the Jewish worshipers be given the right to defend themselves from their attackers (Esther 8:11). Because they had the right to defend themselves, the Jewish Worshipers of God survived the attempt to extinguish their faith and triumphed over their enemies. The Lord enshrined the right of worshipers to bear arms and protect themselves in the Feast of Purim, just as the right of Americans to bear arms and protect themselves is enshrined in our Second Agreement.
We urge the Pastors and Churches to project their worshippers like Mordecai did. Welcome those legally licensed to carry guns so that they can fulfill the calling on their lives to protect their church family. And don’t keep it a secret. Call a “Carry your gun to Church Sunday” so the cowardly killers in your community will know they can’t turn your church into a shooting gallery.
We should continue to pray for God’s protection and ask Him to send His guardian angles to our churches. But let’s not turn away the guardian angels who have concealed hand gun permits.