ALR210 – Persecution

Persecution is mentioned over 70 times in the Bible. Many anti-gun Christians argue that since the Bible calls on us to suffer persecution and to love our enemies, we should not resist the violent criminal with a firearm. If you've heard this argument but don't know how to counter it or if it sounds reasonable but you're just not sure, Lloyd and Pastor Bennett discuss the distinctions between different kinds of persecution and what makes persecution different from violent crime.

Timestamps

  • [0:00] – Blooper
  • [0:19] – Show Open
  • [0:31] – Welcome
  • [1:19] – Introducing today's topic
  • [2:28] – Thank you Patrons
  • [3:28] – What was Persecution in the first century AD?
  • [6:00] – Reading from Gospel of John 16
  • [6:35] – Reading from 2 Corinthians 6
  • [7:30] – Submission to Authority
  • [9:30] – Contrast with violent crime
  • [10:30] – Why the disciples and martyrs did not resist
  • [11:23] – Resisting the government
  • [12:55] – Reading from Romans 13:2-3
  • [13:35] – The obligation to defend your neighbor
  • [15:15] – The example of Dietrich Bonheoffer
  • [17:54] – A gun control thought experiment
  • [19:54] – Persecution in foreign countries
  • [22:00] – Why are we to submit to persecution?
  • [25:03] – The distinction between terrorism and governments
  • [26:16] – When terrorists target Christians
  • [27:32] – Romans 13 and resisting tyranny
  • [30:41] – Addressing the argument
  • [34:30] – Key distinctions
  • [36:36] – Wrapping up and final thoughts
  • [38:25] – Show close

Prayer of the Week

O God, our heavenly Father, seeing that of ourselves we have no strength, keep us both outwardly and inwardly that we may be defended from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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