The state of Arkansas passed a number of controversial bills this go around, and I, personally, thank legislators for their willingness to vote their conscience and pass laws which go against the flow of what is considered by many to be politically correct.
Foremost among these new laws are the two bills passed - with vetoes overridden - to ban most abortions in the state of Arkansas. First, a ban on abortions after 20 weeks was passed, and then a ban on abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected - about 12 weeks.
These two laws, according to almost everything I've read, give Arkansas the strictest anti-abortion laws in the nation and are sure to draw a legal challenge based on the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision back in 1973. I fear that such legal challenges will lead to Arkansas' laws being wrongfully struck down as unconstitutional; but, on the other hand, there is the possibility that the legal wranglings will give the Supreme Court the opportunity to revisit its past mistakes and set things aright - no, I'm not holding my breath in anticipation the courts will do right.
What I really hope and wish, especially since our lawmakers have had the backbone to move in the right direction and outlaw most abortions in Arkansas, is that our state government and our citizens would have the backbone to tell the federal government where to go should it attempt to overturn Arkansas laws prohibiting abortion.
Why do I say this? Because there is a Biblical principal based on the First Commandment (Ex. 20:3; Deut. 5:7) that individuals and governments ought to follow. It is summarized very precisely in Acts 5:29: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”
It's time we listen to God and do what He says rather than caving in to the opinions of men in Washington, D.C., even if it costs us for doing what is right. And what would be wrong with telling Washington and all the proponents of murdering unborn children, “Not here, in Arkansas, you don't!”
Arkansas legislators also passed some bills giving back constitutionally-guaranteed rights of citizens to defend themselves and others by allowing churches and also colleges and universities some freedoms in regard to individuals in churches and professors on college campuses carrying firearms - providing they possess concealed-carry permits - where it had been heretofore prohibited.
How many colleges and universities will allow their professors to carry firearms on campus remains to be seen. I hope they do but would also recommend, to those who do carry, some additional training geared toward the use of deadly force and the discharge of a firearm in a classroom or in various campus settings.
I would say the same should federal law one day be overturned or amended to allow teachers and staff to be armed on public school campuses. Yes, I believe current federal law puts students and staff at risk from those who could care less about the law and are bent on taking human life. But, at the same time, if teachers and staff are going to have the option of being armed, training is of the utmost importance.
And, what about churches? I've heard people use the “What would Jesus do?” argument against allowing concealed-carry permit holders to bring their guns into churches. Jesus, however, did not forbid His disciples to be armed and to justly defend their lives and property. In fact, He even told His disciples who did not have a sword to sell a garment and buy one (Luke 22:36).
He did, however, tell Peter to put up his sword when he used it in an attempt to prevent Jesus' arrest and interfere with God's plan for Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of the world (Matt. 26:52-54).
What is clear in the Bible is that God's kingdom is not advanced and cannot be spread through the weapons of this world (John 18:36-37). God's kingdom is advanced through the preaching of God's Word, called the sword of the Spirit, which reveals our utter sinfulness and the judgment we deserve but also shows us the salvation which Christ Jesus won for all by His innocent sufferings and death upon the cross and His glorious resurrection (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12; Rom. 1:16-17).
Yet, believers of all time were armed and often had to use those arms to defend lives and property. Abraham and his servants were armed and used those arms to rescue Lot from raiding bands of kings (Gen. 14). David retrieved Goliath's sword from a priest of the LORD (1 Sam. 21:8-9). The Jews rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem with weapons at hand and their swords girded on their sides, ready to defend themselves (Neh. 4:16-18).
While neither swords nor guns can be used to bring anyone into the kingdom of God, they are rightly used to defend human life and property from those intent on murder and robbery. God so values human life that He forbids murder (Ex. 20:13; Deut. 5:17) and demands capital punishment for murderers: “Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man” (Gen. 9:6).
So, should people be allowed to bring guns to church? If it is for the purpose of advancing one's religion and forcing people to accept religious beliefs, the answer is obviously no. But, if it is simply to protect lives from would-be murderers and thieves, there is no reason to prohibit guns in churches.
Instead of posing the question: “What would Jesus do?” and imposing misguided views of Jesus as a pacifist who would never raise a hand against anyone, perhaps we should ask ourselves if Jesus would have us sit back and do nothing while thugs and murderers do violence and commit murder against our fellow parishioners.
Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer and also the pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Rogers. He may be reached by email at [email protected]
Opinion, Pages 6 on 03/13/2013