pedadidact

5 comments:

1. Rob Thomson said... July 5, 2010 at 5:42 PM

   I am surprised to see a firearm on your list of things you would consider adding or swapping on your EDC. I would be interested to know what use you would be envisaging for that particular piece of kit!  

2. Michael Spotts: . said... July 5, 2010 at 7:46 PM

   Hey there, Rob. Thanks for interacting!
   
   The addition of a firearm, such as an ultralight Taurus, Ruger LCP, or Kel-Tec MU-16C rifle (4.5 lbs), has been a subject of much forethought to me.
   
   Bear Spray doesn't work in rain or wind and you might only get one shot. Guns, viewed as survival tools and not toys (or ignorant statements of machismo), usually do, provided one uses them with proper training and an attitude of respect for their severe consequences.
   
   From the start I must say, I would rather not harm any animal, whether of the four or two-legged sort. "The righteous man regards the life of his beast," Proverbs 12:10, and in a sense all creatures are collectively entrusted to the stewardship of man, which includes me. I no longer sport fish, and believe hunting should be done only to nourish legitimate hunger or, in less developed places, provide useful materials otherwise unobtainable. There is a nobility unique to man, in that we alone in this natural kingdom intentionally conserve other species for their own benefit, when doing so provides no immediate or obvious gain to ourselves. This seems to be a nod to the spirituality of man, to recognize the virtue of existence and the duty bestowed on him for the sake of all. While believing I am free to use the creature to preserve human life, I would tread lightly with this privilege.
   
   But what of the lives of men? To the credit of God who changed me from the man I was in my teens, I can attest that when confronted with an opportunity to defend myself violently, I have refrained. Once in 2008 I was mugged by three men. Something reality set in as they hit me, heightened by their smiles. To them, this was a game and I was prey. In my pocket was a utility knife and for a split second I contemplated using it. I had enough time as well to pray one sufficient word, 'Lord?' and to accept the hand of God over all things.
   
   I yelled 'stop.' They did. I handed my knife to the young man who threw the first punch, telling them I was a Christian with no need of possessions enough to fight back, but that I wished in exchange for my things that they would let me tell them what had freed me from the love of material wealth. They gave my knife back and ran away. Police told me I was a fool. Six months later one of them found me and apologized, said that night changed him, and wanted to replace my stolen iPod with his own. I have seen the power of God to work through non-violence.
   
   Continued below...  

3. Michael Spotts: . said... July 5, 2010 at 7:47 PM

   Though I feel free to let my life go, I believe there is a Biblical mandate to use force in society to restrain open violence towards others, Romans 13, and those who do so are "ministers of God," that is, of the order God ordains amongst men, "and they do not bear the sword in vain." I am coming into a place of experience which allows me to lead other groups into the back country. If God wills, I will lead a woman into marriage. In both instances, lives are entrusted to my care. If the need arose to defend another person's life, I pray I would not hesitate to intervene or end the life of the attacker. In my judgment (which welcomes your view to show me wrong, as I am liable to much error) Christians exist in the context of two kingdoms, Original and Gospel. The orginal order pertains to justice administered through force. The gospel kingdom, however, is extended through grace and not violence. These kingdoms overlap in places and will only coalesce in the future. Thus I believe just force is a God-ordained function of civil government in orderly society, of which I am a part. The God who ordains ends has provided ordinary means for achieving them. Sadly, due to the self-agitated sinfulness of men, we are sometimes subdued by no less than death.
   
   Lastly, I was strongly affected by the sight of a local boy recently mauled beyond recognition by a wild dog which did not respond to sticks. Another San Diego man was brought to within inches of his life by two years ago by a mountain lion, while his wife could only look on in horror. She tried stabbing the cat in the eye but had little effect on the activated instincts of the wild animal. Statistics say such events are unlikely to happen to a person, but statistics do not take into account the frequency of particular individuals in those habitats of greater risk.
   
   People carry certain gear knowing the likelihood of use is very slim - whistles, signal mirrors, half their medical kits - and justify doing so on the premise that their life is worth the odds. In light of the great respect I have for the lives of other creatures, I believe the collective potential for good contained in one human is of far greater worth than an animal. Most men make relative little of their lives, and some are utterly wicked, but a few heartily committed to the cause of good have sewn great light into the darkness. I will not wonder if you or anyone is that sort, but would rather save your life and leave that between that man and God.
   
   In short, I believe human life is worth preserving against the wilds of nature and evil, and to save a life is to enable an entire lifetime of good services which may come from that person. Guns, knives, sticks, words, and prayers all have their place in achieving this.
   
   Now that I have rambled, feel free to enlighten me, friend. Thank you again for stimulating some worthwhile thoughts.
   
   - Michael Spotts:.  

4. Anonymous said... October 16, 2010 at 8:35 PM

   Michael,
   
   I just want to say thank you for the excellent post on firearms from a biblical perspective; I've not heard the subject explained so well before. It echoes what I've felt is right but have been unable to detail eloquently.
   
   ~ Ann  

5. Michael Spotts: . said... October 17, 2010 at 2:43 AM

   Thank you, Ann. :)  

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