Talk:Defense

Two swords

There are many false exegeses used by modern Christians to rationalize a personal doctrine to fit more comfortably into the modern Churchianity eschatology. Jesus directive to His apostles and disciples to buy a sword is no exception.

Let us examine the text:

"And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing." Luke 22:35

Jesus did not send them out alone but with the Holy Spirit. There were numerous conditions to follow meant to test the seventy disciples he chose to put their hand to the plough. Jesus was getting lot of excuses from people who liked what he was saying but were putting off doing the work.

Before Jesus began his ministry there had been a great upheaval in the government of Judea. No one sat on the throne in Jerusalem and Manheahn (Manahen)and many others had walked out of the Sanhedrin in protest.

who were learning to walk in faith.

Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

35And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.” 36And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one. 37*“For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, ‘AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH TRANSGRESSORS’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.”* 38They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.” So Jesus starts by saying that they didn't lack anything before when he sent them out with nothing. Not even a sword. Then He says, “But now, take some money belts, bags, and go get some swords too, *because this prophecy about me needs to be fulfilled.*”

Isaiah 53:12 Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

when they returned, with only two swords

, he said it was enough. Surely Jesus didn’t intend for two swords to defend 12 men from a group of trained roman guards. Nor to "defend the helpless" (seriously where does that even come into the narrative?).

No. it was to fulfill a messianic prophecy. Depending on the English translation used, the word “transgressors” could be bandits, thieves, criminals, etc. However you prefer it, the swords were stated by Jesus Himself to be for nothing more than fulfillment of prophecy. And in their context under Roman control, it is very likely (as I'm sure you'd agree) that there was a level of "gun control" instituted among the citizenry which would have maligned anyone but an official, as being a criminal if armed. Much like happens today, right? Much like has happened under most large governments throughout history. So Jesus gives a reason. What is it again? To defend the helpless? For self defense? Oddly enough, that never comes into play. Do you know the difference between exegesis and eisegesis?

And now what about when Jesus says: "don't resist an evil person" "do not repay evil for evil" "turn the other cheek" "blessed are the peacemakers" "Do violence to no one" "love your enemies" "bless those who persecute you" "my kingdom is not of this world, if it were, my servants would fight for me" Or when Paul says in 1 Corinthians: " For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." Or in ephesians: "for our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers and principalities" Or in Romans: "do not take vengeance for vengeance belongs to the Lord" Do any of those allow for a Christian to run another through with a sword even in self defense?