God Given Rights

I often hear conservative, Constitutional Patriots claim our God given rights. That we don't get our rights from Government, but from God. Most of those people claim to be Christians, so I will assume they are speaking of the God of the Bible. But, what are these God-given rights?

What about freedom of religion? In Exodus, while giving the Decalogue, that's the 10 Commandments for those of you in Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas. God said, "Have no other gods before me." This same God sent his son Jesus as the Christ to die on the cross which established Christianity as written in the New Testament to be the one and only true religion God approves of. But freedom of religion in America today is defined as the right to practice whatever religion one chooses. That right has not been given by God.

What about freedom of speech? There is some speech that is unpardonable by God. That is, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. And, the New Testament warns about coarse language and jesting. But, here in America, freedom of speech today is defined as anything people want to say. That is not a right given by God. In fact it's not a right given by the Constitution either. But that's a different subject.

What about the right to bear arms? We certainly have the right to bear the arms we are born with. But, gun ownership? I find that nowhere in Scripture. But, there is axiom established in the Restoration Movement that, "Where the Bible speaks, we speak. Where the Bible is silent, we are silent." But that silence neither means license or restraint. And what that means is we need to draw on other parts of the Bible for guidance. So, what are guns used for. Hunting. Since the world began God established that man can use animals for food, and their skins for clothing. Therefore, guns used for hunting is a right.

What about murder? The shedding of innocent blood is an abomination to God. Therefore, there is no right to use a gun for murder.

What about self-defense? This subject in the Bible is kinda conflicting, between what was allowed in the Old Testament, and what was taught by Christ. In the Old Testament, what was taught was "an eye for eye and a tooth for a tooth." But, that was a legal standard. However, Judges would have probably allowed that standard in cases of self-defense. I am not sure the same can be said about the teachings of the New Testament. In Matthew 5.38 &39 Jesus said, "You have heard of old, 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you, don't resist the evil person. Should he strike you on one cheek, turn the other cheek to him." And in Romans 12.17, the apostle Paul taught against retaliation.

Of course, we need take all things in context. The context of what Jesus said was what was said of old, and what he said. I will explain this, although it's doubtful the Cornerstone Church will understand, since their Pastor, John Hagee doesn't.

Jesus is teaching the difference between the Old Covenant as delivered to Moses, and the New Covenant as was established by the cross of Christ. He was establishing the rule for those subjected to Him in His kingdom. Not a rule for the rest of the world. If you are not in a kingdom, you are not subject to it's rules. So, "turn the other cheek," is only a rule in the kingdom of Christ. My proof for this is in Matthew 4.23. It is written there that Jesus taught and preached the gospel of the kingdom. If you understand Covenant Theology, you should understand this.

Now, what about Paul? In Romans 12, Paul is giving instruction to the body of Christ, and not to the rest of the world. So, his instruction in verse 17 fits quite nicely with the teaching of Christ of His kingdom subjects.

So, the conclusion has to be that God gave no Christian to right to bear arms in self-defense. However I do not believe that includes war. I base that on Romans 13. First of all, verse 1 establishes that there is no power not of God, and all powers are ordained of God. Verse 2 says that if you resist the power, you resist the ordinance of God. Verse 3 establishes that rulers are not a terror to good work, but to evil. Verse 4 states that he is a minister of God, an avenger to those that do evil.

Question, why can't this be a Christian? The ruler is called a minister of God. A Christian in such a position can certainly use the sword to avenge evil. Being a Christian, wanting to be the next President, I will be guided by this principle. Countries that do or have done evil against us will be our enemies. Countries that do or have done good to us will be our allies. Today, and in most recent decades, our Foreign Policy has been opposite. We have gone to war against countries that has done no evil against us, and we have befriended Countries that has done evil against us. That will change when I am President. As President I believe I will have the God given right to protect the American people against evil, both foreign and domestic, and I will do just that.

However, not all that is claimed to be God given rights are. And I believe I have established that.