Im flattered that Gordon Klingenschmitt responded personally to my recent message. To recap, he is a politician and chaplain, written up here saying people should sell their clothes if need be in order to buy a gun: thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2014/11/06/3589464/gordon-klingenschmitt/ I wrote to him: Dear Gordon Klingenschmitt, Thank you so much for your advice that I sell my clothes to buy a gun because its time. I couldnt locate the passage in the Gospels exactly, but Im sure you were quoting Jesus, because, after all, you are reminding us of your role as a Christian chaplain. I have noticed that, in depictions of Jesus, he is often wearing very little clothing. No doubt this gun imperative is part of the explanation for something Ive always wondered about. Regards, David He wrote me back in less than 24 hours! To wit: LOL, thank you David, of course my words were taken out of context, but I was poorly paraphrasing what Jesus said in Luke 22:36. He said to them, But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you dont have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. I sent him thanks: Dear Gordon Klingenschmitt, Thank you so much for your prompt response and expertise in locating that passage that I knew must have been in the Gospels somewhere. But I have to say that looking back now at that passage--as you point out how important context is--I am struck with new doubts and uncertainties that shake me deeply. Why? Well, when Jesus made these remarks, his disciples not only got one sword but in fact brought back two. Two swords! A good start. Theyre go-getters. But I also thought, thats going to leave a large number of unarmed disciples. And the context here is that Jesus knows he and his disciples will soon be widely regarded as official criminals. Much as Christians today are persecuted in American culture. (Much easier to be a Muslim or atheist or just anything else, lately!) But what does Jesus say when we see this lack of weaponry? He says, Thats enough. Weve got to give Jesus credit for lots of good things, but hes no tactician for a credible militia. I think if he comes back soon--and who isnt hoping for the end of days?--he might change his mind and take sides with those of us who believe that any kind of gun control is reprehensible. Im not sure hed want Walmart selling RPGs or mortars, of course. But AR-15s or AK-47s? Sure thing. Again, many thanks! Regards, David
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 19:11:43 +0000
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