Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on October 03-04/15 The best reason for Iran deal? The West will learn where to drop bombs/ALEXANDER MCCOY, JACQUELINE LOPOUR/J.Post/ REUTERS/ October 03/15
Obama: Putin’s intervention in Syria is ‘a recipe for disaster’/Ynetnews/News Agencies/October 03/15
Misanalysis Makes a Mess/Robert Satloff and James F. Jeffrey/American Interest/October 03/15
Pentagon Overhauls Anti-ISIL War Plans/Middle East Briefing/October 03/15
Putin and Obama Summit: More Progress Than Expected/Middle East Briefing/October 03/15
Obama Lost the Middle East While Putin is Building His Own Trap There/Middle East Briefing/October 03/15
How to Reach a Transitional Truce in Syria/Middle East Briefing/October 03/15
Sweden: ‘No Apartments, No Jobs, No Shopping Without a Gun’/Ingrid Carlqvist/Gatestone institute/October 03/15
Will America provide new support for Syrian rebels against ISIS/Phil Stewart, Arshad Mohammed and Julia Edward/Reuters/October 03/15
‘Managed transition’ vs. ‘management of savagery’ in Syria/Hisham Melhem/Al Arabiya/October 03/15
America invited Iran to the Arab world/Abdullah Hamidaddin/Al Arabiya/October 03/15
Russia in Syria: Putin Fills Strategic Vacuum in the Middle East/Jonathan Spyer/The Australian/October 03/15
Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin for Lebanese Related News published on October 03-04/15 Report: Regional Escalation Obligates Lebanese Settlement to Avert Dangers Shehayyeb: Garbage Plan to Be Implemented with Agreement of Akkar, Bekaa, Naameh Residents Report: Berri May Postpone Dialogue over Political Tensions Wanted Terrorist Arrested in Baalbek Clothes Soaked in Millions of Dollars Worth of Cocaine Seized at Airport Families of Lebanese Hostages Back into Action Ibrahim Meets Pope in Vatican, Discusses Presidential Vacuum
Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports And News published on October 03-04/15
2 killed, 2 wounded in Jerusalem attack
Palestinian Shot Dead after Killing Israeli, Wounding 3
Pressure grows on Netanyahu to act with ‘iron first’ in light of Palestinian terror onslaught
British PM: Russia Backing ‘Butcher’ Assad
Saudi Arabia arrests Syrian man over bomb plot
Russia warned U.S. ‘ahead of latest Syria strikes’
Kerry holds impromptu Iran nuclear talks
Two suicide car bombs kill at least 18 people in Baghdad
Russia strikes kill 39 civilians, 14 ISIS, Nusra Front militants
Question: “How should a Christian view gun control?” Answer: The recent shootings across the United States have caused much heartache. The senseless and tragic incidents have also renewed the intensity of discussion regarding American gun laws. Politicians, sportsmen, and theologians have all weighed in on the issue of gun control. Guns are readily available in the U.S., and ownership is protected by the Constitution. How should a Christian view gun control? What does the Bible have to say that would apply to gun control? The Bible was written long before the invention of any type of gun, so the phrase “gun control” will not be found in Scripture. However, the Bible records many accounts of wars, battles, and the use of weapons. Warfare is presented as an inevitable part of living in a fallen world (Mark 13:7; James 4:1), and weaponry is a necessary part of warfare. Weapons in the Bible were also used for personal protection. In some parts of Israel, robbers were common (see Luke 10:30), and many people carried weapons when they traveled. Carrying a weapon for self-defense is never condemned in the Bible. In fact, it was mentioned in a positive light by Jesus Himself on one occasion (Luke 22:35-38). Christians are called to submit to governing authorities, and they are to obey the laws of the land (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). This would have to apply to gun laws, too. If American gun laws change, American Christians should submit to these changes and work through democratic means toward any desired alternatives. The Bible does not forbid the possession of weapons, and neither does it command such possession. Laws may come and go, but the goal of the believer in Jesus Christ remains the same: to glorify the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:31). Another biblical principle to consider is that “all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). Jesus said this to Peter when Peter tried to mount an imprudent “defense” of Jesus against the mob that had come to arrest Him. Peter’s actions were not only futile against such a “large crowd armed with swords and clubs” (verse 47), but his rash behavior also belied Jesus’ submissive attitude (verse 50) and worked against the fulfillment of Scripture (verse 54). There is “a time for war and a time for peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:8), and Peter confused the two. Christianity supports personal freedom. Romans 14:1-4 indicates that, when Scripture does not clearly address a particular issue, there is freedom for individual choice. America has historically embraced the concept of personal freedom that resonates with this principle, and the founding documents guarantee wide freedoms regarding firearms. Some point to Matthew 5:9, in which Jesus pronounces a blessing on the peacemakers, and apply it to the issue of gun control. The idea is that guns are antithetical to peace. This may be more of a philosophical or political idea than a theological one, however. There is nothing theologically, or even logically, that links guns to a lack of peace; sometimes, guns help maintain civil peace. Debates over whether to control guns or how much to control them depend largely on political and philosophical arguments, not moral ones. This is not to say that there is no moral component to the issue. Obviously, the gun itself is amoral, an object that can be used for good or for evil. More important is the morality of the person wielding the gun, and that is too often the missing consideration in the gun control argument. The fact that some sinners use guns to commit sin does not mean guns are the problem. Sin is the problem, and that’s a moral and spiritual issue. Since the very beginning of humanity, people have been killing other people, with and without weapons (see Genesis 4). Taking a certain weapon out of circulation might make murder more difficult but by no means impossible. As far as the Bible is concerned, the use of guns is a matter of personal conviction. There is nothing unspiritual about owning a gun or knowing how to use one. There is nothing wrong with protecting oneself or loved ones, even if it involves the use of weapons. We need not pretend there is never a need for guns, but pointing a gun at a person should always be a last resort. We should seek to neutralize threats without violence whenever possible. So, how should a Christian view gun control? With the authority God has entrusted to it, the government has the right to allow or disallow gun ownership to whatever degree it deems right. We, as citizens, are called to submit to whatever gun control laws the government institutes. This is not, however, a statement on the wisdom of gun control. There are good reasons to allow law-abiding citizens to own guns. Ultimately, guns are not the problem. Sinful people are the problem. Recommended Resources: Politics – According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture by Wayne Grudem and Logos Bible Software. **GotQuestions.org
