Ken Pagano, pastor of New Bethel Church in Louisville, Kentucky, says "We're just trying to promote responsible gun ownership and gun safety." That's one of the stated reasons why he is encouraging church members to pack their pistols when they come to church to celebrate the 4th of July.
I've never carried my gun to church. Not even when I was a police officer and required to keep my gun with me at all times. I left it in my car when I went to church when I was a police officer.
In my mind, if there is one place to take the command to put up your sword (John 18:11) and turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-39) literally it is at church.
The Bible issues no command to promote gun ownership and gun safety. It has a lot to say about giving a faithful witness.
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If only the members of the Lutheran church where Dr. Tiller served had been carrying their 44 magnums, there likely would have been three or four people dead at that church instead of just one. One murder is more than enough, without adding in several more homicides to the mix.
Somehow, a "house of prayer" does not fit well with a firing range.
I agree and my hope that it is an isolated event. Look, we all have opinions that are usually found foolish when the motives are wrong. I hope that this does not become a trend, as any religious doctrine and items that kill are not mutually agreeable.
Bruce,
Amen to your comment about letting our actions at church - and elsewhere - be informed by Matthew and John rather than by the NRA, etc.
Rev. Pagano's request only confirms once again what I have long said is true for far too many Christians - their faith . . . their understanding of God & their understanding of Christ . . . is informed by their political positions. Their politics comes first, and their faith follows dutifully along its path.
As Christians, we should seek the counsel of Christ - His words and His deeds - and let that inform our politics. But much too often, it's the other way around. Thus you get pastors who rationalize bringing guns to church as some kind of theological imperative, twisted though it may be.
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