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Go Buy a Sword! (Luke 22:36)

By Jeremy Myers
55 Comments

Go Buy a Sword! (Luke 22:36)

I was recently listening to a radio talk show host talk about the right of American’s to own guns and he made the statement that even Jesus wants people to own guns.

He said that true Christianity is a Christianity that bears arms. He then went on to quote Jesus’ statement in Luke 22:36 where He instructs His disciples to sell their cloak so that they can go buy a sword. “See?” the talk show host said, “Any Christian who says we should not buy and own weapons is not a true Christian because they are contradicting Jesus Himself!”

I laughed at this sort of argument, but sadly, the radio host was deadly serious, and far too many Christians agree with him.

go buy a sword

Far too many Christian see Jesus’ instructions to His disciples to go buy a sword as an endorsement by Jesus of gun ownership, and in some cases, an endorsement of violence. I am not of this persuasion.

For the record, I support the constitutional right of United States citizens to buy and own guns. But I don’t do so on the basis of Scripture. I support gun ownership for political, historical, and rational reasons. But none of that matters for this post.

The real issue I want to address is why Jesus told His disciples to go buy a sword in Luke 22:36. There are a couple things to note about this instruction from Jesus which shows us that the instructions of Jesus to His disciples to buy a sword cannot in any way be viewed as an endorsement from Jesus of gun ownership.

1. These Swords Were Not For Violence

First of all, we must recognize that whatever reasons Jesus had for telling His disciples to buy swords, the swords were not to be used for violence.

Peter, put away your swordAfter all, when Peter actually used the sword that he was carrying, Jesus not only rebuked him and told him to put the sword away, but He also healed the damage that had been done by Peter’s sword (Luke 22:47-51).

Furthermore, when Jesus was put on trial, Jesus told Pilate that since His kingdom was not of this world, His followers would not fight (John 18:36). Obviously, if Jesus had wanted His disciples to use the swords they had purchased, Jesus could not have said this.

Jesus clearly knew, and His disciples seemed to understand (especially after learning from the rebuke of Peter), that Jesus did not want them to use their swords for violence.

So why then did Jesus have His disciples buy swords?

2. The Swords Were For the Fulfillment of Prophecy

Immediately after telling His disciples to buy a sword, Jesus gave them the reason why: “For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors’” (Luke 22:37).

Jesus told His disciples to buy swords so that He can fulfill this prophecy from Isaiah 53:12. Jesus wanted His disciples to buy swords so that it will appear to the authorities that He and His band of followers were transgressors!

That this is what Jesus meant is confirmed by the statement of Jesus in Luke 22:38 when the disciples show Jesus the two swords they had obtained. Jesus said, “It is enough.” In other words, “That will do.”

If Jesus was seriously condoning violence, two swords were not “enough” to accomplish anything, especially in the hands of a ragtag bunch of fishermen and tax-collectors who had no military training.

Jesus out of contextJesus told His disciples to buy swords, not so that they would use them, but as a fulfillment of prophecy so that they would have the appearance of being transgressors.

To fulfill prophecy, Jesus had to be viewed as a transgressor. He had to at least appear to be a political revolutionary to the Jewish authorities for them to feel justified in arresting him. His cleansing of the temple a few days earlier was probably calculated for the same effect. So, to fulfill the prophecy and to provoke the Jewish authorities, he had to have enough weaponry to justify being viewed as a law breaking revolutionary (Greg Boyd, Go Buy a Sword )

So Go Buy a Gun if You Want To…

So if you live in a country that allows gun ownership, and if you are a law-abiding citizen, go buy a gun if you want to.

But don’t ever suppose that Jesus endorses gun ownership because He told His disciples to “go buy a sword.” That is a terrible misreading of Luke 22:36.

God is Redeeming Scripture Bible & Theology Topics: Guns, Luke 22:36, non-violent resistance, pacifism, violence

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[#16] Genesis 1:24-25 – The Theology of Evolution

By Jeremy Myers
6 Comments

[#16] Genesis 1:24-25 – The Theology of Evolution
https://media.blubrry.com/one_verse/traffic.libsyn.com/redeeminggod/16_Genesis_1_24-25.mp3

While I do not believe that Genesis 1 speaks directly against the theory of evolution, I do believe that the theology behind the theory of evolution has been around a lot longer than the theory itself.

In fact, the theology behind the theory of evolution has been around since the very beginning.

The verses we will look at today, Genesis 1:24-25, speak directly against these theological ideas. Listen to this episode to learn how.

genesis 1:24-25 humans animals evolution

The Text of Genesis 1:24-25

Genesis 1:24-25. Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

In this discussion of Genesis 1:24-25 we look at:

  • The first part of the sixth day of creation is the creation of the animals.
  • How the creation of the animals is different than the creation of the plants.
  • The three categories of animals that were created.
  • Similarities of Genesis 1:24-25 with other creation accounts, and how the Genesis account is polemical against them.
  • How Genesis 1:24-25 refutes the theology of evolution, even if it doesn’t speak to evolution itself.

Resources:

  • Become a Patron of the Podcast
  • Collins, Genesis 1-4 – Amazon or CBD
  • Hamilton, Genesis 1–17 – Amazon or CBD
  • Keil & Delitzsch, Genesis – Amazon or CBD
  • Morris, The Genesis Record – Amazon or CBD
  • Ross, H. The Genesis Question – Amazon
  • Sailhamer, EBC: Genesis – Amazon or CBD
  • Sailhamer, Genesis Unbound – Amazon
  • Walton, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds – Amazon or CBD
  • Walton, Lost World of Genesis One, Amazon or CBD
  • Wenham, Genesis – Amazon or CBD
  • Babylonian Account of the Creation of the Beasts of the Field
  • fm – Helping you and your Theology Look Like Jesus
  • Subscribe and Leave a Review on iTunes

Downloadable Podcast Resources

Those who are part of my online discipleship group may download the MP3 audio file for this podcast and view the podcast transcript below.

You must join a discipleship group or login to download the MP3 and view the transcript.

Membership-become-a-member

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Do you like learning about the Bible online?

Do you like learning about Scripture and theology through my podcast? If so, then you will also love my online courses. They all have MP3 audio downloads, PDF transcripts, quizzes, and a comment section for questions and interaction with other students.

If you want to deepen your relationship with God and better understand Scripture, take one (or all) of these courses. They are great for personal study or for a small group Bible study.

You can see the list of available courses here, and if you join the Discipleship group, you can take all the courses at no additional cost. Go here to learn more and join now.

God is Redeeming God, Redeeming Scripture, Redeeming Theology Bible & Theology Topics: creationism, evolution, Genesis 1:24-25, One Verse Podcast, podcast, theology

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Books I Consult for Every Podcast Episode

By Jeremy Myers
1 Comment

Books I Consult for Every Podcast Episode

Here are some of the books I consult for every single episode of the One Verse Podcast:

Genesis books podcast

There are several more that are not in this picture… nor does this factor in the journal articles I read or books I use on Logos Bible Software.

And in case you are curious, here is my study method.

I hear that many podcasters just sit down to record their podcast, talk into a mic for an hour, and then they’re done.

My podcast episodes take a bit longer to prepare than that… Each 30 minute podcast takes about eight hours just to prepare. The picture above shows part of the reason why.

Sooo … is it worth it?

Well, I’m enjoying studying Genesis 1 and recording what I learn. I hope you enjoy listening to them!

If you do enjoy listening to the podcasts, would you use the share buttons below to invite others to subscribe, and then also leave a Rating and Review on iTunes? Thanks! There are instructions here for how to leave a Rating and Review.

God is Redeeming Scripture Bible & Theology Topics: Books I'm Reading, podcast

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[#15] Genesis 1:21 – Redeeming the Sea Serpents

By Jeremy Myers
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[#15] Genesis 1:21 – Redeeming the Sea Serpents
https://media.blubrry.com/one_verse/traffic.libsyn.com/redeeminggod/15_Genesis_1_21.mp3

Is there something in your life you are ashamed of? If you are like most people, there are probably a multitude of such things.

Maybe it is something evil that happened to you when you were younger. Maybe it is some addiction or temptation which you fall to almost every day.

By looking at some shocking truths from Genesis 1:21, we see that God doesn’t want to get rid of those things in your life. No, instead, God wants to redeem them. To turn them around to be used for His glory.

Listen to this episode of the One Verse Podcast to see what I mean.

Great Sea Dragons Genesis 1:21

The Text of Genesis 1:21

Genesis 1:21. So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

In this discussion of Genesis 1:21 we look at:

  • Why Moses uses the word bara (“to create”) in Genesis 1:21.
  • The meaning of tannin as “monsters” in Genesis 1:21.
  • The religious myths about sea serpents from Babylon, Canaan, and Egypt
  • What the rest of Scripture says about sea serpents.
  • The theological truth Moses was making by saying that God created the
  • The theological truth Moses was making by calling the tannin “good.”
  • Why God wants to redeem the evil that has happened to you and turn it around for good.

Resources:

  • Logos Bible Software
  • Ancient Seas Monsters
  • Eight Reasons Genesis 1 Does Not Teach Creationism – Spencer Boersma
  • Fretheim, NIB: Genesis – Amazon or CBD
  • Gibson, Genesis – Amazon or CBD
  • Hamilton, Genesis 1–17 – Amazon or CBD
  • Hasel Article on Genesis 1
  • Kidner, Genesis, Amazon or CBD
  • Ross, Creation & Blessing – Amazon or CBD
  • Sailhamer, Genesis Unbound – Amazon
  • Sarna, Genesis – Amazon or CBD
  • Waltke, Genesis, Amazon or CBD
  • Walton, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds – Amazon or CBD
  • Walton, Lost World of Genesis One, Amazon or CBD
  • Wenham, Genesis – Amazon or CBD
  • Subscribe and Leave a Review on iTunes

Downloadable Podcast Resources

Those who are part of my online discipleship group may download the MP3 audio file for this podcast and view the podcast transcript below.

You must join a discipleship group or login to download the MP3 and view the transcript.

Membership-become-a-member

Thanks for visiting this page ... but this page is for Discipleship Group members.

If you are already part of a Faith, Hope, or Love Discipleship Group,
Login here.

If you are part of the free "Grace" Discipleship group, you will need to
Upgrade your Membership to one of the paid groups.

If you are not part of any group, you may learn about the various groups and their benefits here:
Join Us Today.

Membership-become-a-member


Do you like learning about the Bible online?

Do you like learning about Scripture and theology through my podcast? If so, then you will also love my online courses. They all have MP3 audio downloads, PDF transcripts, quizzes, and a comment section for questions and interaction with other students.

If you want to deepen your relationship with God and better understand Scripture, take one (or all) of these courses. They are great for personal study or for a small group Bible study.

You can see the list of available courses here, and if you join the Discipleship group, you can take all the courses at no additional cost. Go here to learn more and join now.

God is Redeeming God, Redeeming Scripture Bible & Theology Topics: creation, creationism, Genesis 1:21, One Verse Podcast, redemption

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[#14] Genesis 1:20-23 – The Fish and Nephesh

By Jeremy Myers
5 Comments

[#14] Genesis 1:20-23 – The Fish and Nephesh
https://media.blubrry.com/one_verse/traffic.libsyn.com/redeeminggod/14_Genesis_1_20-23.mp3

fish and nephesh Genesis 1:20This episode of the One Verse Podcast concerns the question about whether or not animals go to heaven.

Do you believe that “All Dogs Go to Heaven”? To be honest, I don’t know if they do or they don’t. I am nearly certain that there will be animals in the eternal state, but I do not know if God will bring Fido or Fluffy to join you there.

Some people use passages like Genesis 1:20-23 as an argument for the idea that animals have souls, and therefore, animals will go to heaven.

Genesis 1 does in fact teach that animals have souls. Even fish, as we see in Genesis 1:20-23, have a soul. So does this mean that if Nemo had been flushed down the toilet, he would have found himself in paradise? This is one of the things we look at in this study of Genesis 1:20-23.

The Text of Genesis 1:20-23

Genesis 1:20-23. Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”

So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

In this discussion of Genesis 1:20-23 we look at:

  • Why “creatures” in Genesis 1:20 is better translated as “swarmers.”
  • Why many English translations leave out the word nephesh in Genesis 1:20.
  • Why a belief that dogs go to heaven leads to a belief in universalism.
  • Nephesh does not mean “soul” but “life.”
  • What it means for birds to fly across the face of the firmament.
  • The connection between blessings and obedience.

Resources:

  • Logos Bible Software
  • Eight Reasons Genesis 1 Does Not Teach Creationism – Spencer Boersma
  • Study what it means to save the soul from death: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5
  • Hamilton, Genesis 1–17 – Amazon or CBD
  • Hasel Article on Genesis 1
  • Hertz, The Pentateuch – Amazon
  • Kidner, Genesis, Amazon or CBD
  • Waltke, Genesis, Amazon or CBD
  • Wenham, Genesis – Amazon or CBD
  • Subscribe and Leave a Review on iTunes 

Downloadable Podcast Resources

Those who are part of my online discipleship group may download the MP3 audio file for this podcast and view the podcast transcript below.

You must join a discipleship group or login to download the MP3 and view the transcript.

Membership-become-a-member

Thanks for visiting this page ... but this page is for Discipleship Group members.

If you are already part of a Faith, Hope, or Love Discipleship Group,
Login here.

If you are part of the free "Grace" Discipleship group, you will need to
Upgrade your Membership to one of the paid groups.

If you are not part of any group, you may learn about the various groups and their benefits here:
Join Us Today.

Membership-become-a-member


Do you like learning about the Bible online?

Do you like learning about Scripture and theology through my podcast? If so, then you will also love my online courses. They all have MP3 audio downloads, PDF transcripts, quizzes, and a comment section for questions and interaction with other students.

If you want to deepen your relationship with God and better understand Scripture, take one (or all) of these courses. They are great for personal study or for a small group Bible study.

You can see the list of available courses here, and if you join the Discipleship group, you can take all the courses at no additional cost. Go here to learn more and join now.

God is Redeeming God, Redeeming Scripture Bible & Theology Topics: creation, creationism, evolution, Genesis 1:20-23, nephesh, One Verse Podcast, soul

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