Grace Baptist Church in Troy, New York, held a raffle on Sunday, March 23, with an unusual prize -- an AR-15 assault rifle. One visitor, Ron Stafford, was the lucky “worshipper” chosen. Apparently the church was being careful to stay within law for such a giveaway because the advertising flyer they printed and distributed had the following disclosure: “All winning applicants will be subject to a federal background check, must be age 18 or older and provide a valid driver’s license. The church also reserves the right to deny anyone of “questionable character.” Other churches are also using the idea of a gun giveaway as a way of increasing membership. “Some churches in Kentucky have also been using guns to attract new members. Earlier this month, churches in Paducah — where three students were killed during a school shooting in 1997 — hosted “Second Amendment Celebrations.” At Lone Oak First Baptist Church, roughly 1,300 people crammed into the church hall for a steak dinner and pep talk by gun expert Chuck McAlister, who was hired by Kentucky’s Southern Baptists to grow membership. Twenty-five guns were raffled off during the dinner and winners were required to pass a background check” (Foxnews.com, “Peace(maker) be with you”, March 24, 2014).
Am I missing something here? Does anyone else sense an incongruity between the raffling off of an assault rifle and the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ? The most startling thing about the advertisement for the gun giveaway was the lone biblical quote they used. Right under the bold heading “Win a FREE AR-15” were the words of Jesus: “...my peace I give to you…” (John 14:27). Are you kidding me???
I’m thankful for my constitutional right to keep and bear arms. I also support Grace Baptist’s freedom under the Constitution to use any legal means to further their cause. But let’s leave the Lord out of it, okay? The kingdom of God has one drawing power -- the cross of Christ. The gospel doesn’t need gimmickry.
Am I missing something here? Does anyone else sense an incongruity between the raffling off of an assault rifle and the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ? The most startling thing about the advertisement for the gun giveaway was the lone biblical quote they used. Right under the bold heading “Win a FREE AR-15” were the words of Jesus: “...my peace I give to you…” (John 14:27). Are you kidding me???
I’m thankful for my constitutional right to keep and bear arms. I also support Grace Baptist’s freedom under the Constitution to use any legal means to further their cause. But let’s leave the Lord out of it, okay? The kingdom of God has one drawing power -- the cross of Christ. The gospel doesn’t need gimmickry.
God loves you!
Mike
1 comment:
Excellent Mike, I know whom I am at war with and it is not flesh and blood. I also know how to dress for battle. Eph 6:10-18
My greatest comfort is knowing that I have access to the one who has control of all things when I call upon him in prayer. Col 1:16-19 Fear is the opposite of faith.
I choose to live my life by faith.
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