A Christian perspective on why Americans must be ready and willing to take up arms in order to preserve their liberty under our Constitution.

1. 66 Reasons Why a Christian
Must Fight to Retain his Liberty
Our country is in dire danger and slipping
into dictatorship. My prayer is that
Christians will study their bibles and
understand we were created as free men
and women and that God wants us to
remain that way.
Dick Carmack, March 20, 2013

2. Should a Christian fight in armed
resistance to preserve his liberty?

3. A history written in blood
For well over 200 years Americans have willingly
stood up and been counted when oppression
came upon our people. We have without
hesitation written our history with our own blood
to defend our God-given liberty.
But today we have become a nation of milk-toasts.
We continually turn the other cheek and have
become a nation of people who worship
government instead of God.

4. EARLY AMERICAN MILITIAS
In Pre-Revolution America, citizen militias were
commonplace. Every able bodied man, white or
black,16 and older had a gun and if he couldn’t
afford one many states would provide him with a
rifle complete with enough black powder and
bullets to make it worthwhile.
The prime cause of the American Revolution was
the campaign by Great Britain to confiscate
firearms and gunpowder in Colonial America. It
began on September 1, 1774.
Adapted from: http://www.davekopel.org/RKBA-Law-History.htm#Founding_Era

5. The War Escalates
John Adams praised the newly constituted
Massachusetts militia, “commanded through the
province, not by men who procured their
commissions from a governor as a reward for
making themselves pimps to his tools.”
The American War of Independence began on
April 19, 1775, when 700 Redcoats under the
command of Major John Pitcairn left Boston to
seize American arms at Lexington and Concord.

6. “Without formal legal authorization, Americans
began to form independent militia, outside the
traditional chain of command of the royal
governors. In Virginia, George Washington and
George Mason organized the Fairfax Independent
Militia Company. The Fairfax militiamen pledged
that “we will, each of us, constantly keep by us” a
firelock, six pounds of gunpowder, and twenty
pounds of lead. Other independent militia embodied
in Virginia along the same model. Independent
militia also formed in Connecticut, Rhode Island,
New Hampshire, Maryland, and South Carolina,
choosing their own officers.”

7. A Current Question
In modern America we find ourselves faced
with the question that comes when one
group of men attempt to exercise unlawful
power over other men.
Today we are facing laws, and proposed
laws that infringe on our Constitutional
liberties, such as mandatory health
decisions and the right to keep and bear
arms.

8. The 1st & 2nd Amendments to the
Constitution of these United
States
Amendment I: Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging
the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the
right of the people peaceably to assemble, and
to petition the Government for a redress of
grievances.
Amendment II: A well regulated Militia, being
necessary to the security of a free State, the
right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall
not be infringed.

9. Something to think about…
Today there is great concern over attempts by the
United States government to put into high gear
an effort that has been idling along for many
years, that is, the registration and eventual
confiscation of individually owned firearms.
Please consider if the gun grabbers are successful
here, it will only be a matter of time until
“freedom of religion, of speech, the press and
the right to peaceably assemble” will also
disappear. Down go 2 more Amendments!

10. Concerning Christian Resistance
The American Colonists, reeling under a myriad
load of taxes and regulations, fought a
Revolutionary War to preserve their freedoms.
Most of these people were Christian.
“Did you know that 52 of the 56 signers of the
Declaration of Independence were orthodox,
deeply committed Christians? The others all
believed in the Bible as the divine truth, the God
of Scripture, and His personal intervention. It is
the same Congress that formed the American
Bible Society.”
http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/declaration_of_independence.htm

11. How about present day America?
Just as King George attempted to confiscate guns
and gunpowder from the Colonists, our present
government seems to be on a course designed
to disarm us, while simultaneously arming a
domestic standing army.
What will be our response? What is the biblical
response? Should we “turn the other cheek” or
should we “resist evil” wherever it is found.
Enemies of freedom can be both foreign and
domestic.

12. Recent purchases by
“Homeland Security”
Over 1.6 BILLION rounds of ammo,
most of them hollow-point 40 caliber.

13. War is apparently
coming to America
“At the height of the Iraq War the Army
was expending less than 6 million
rounds a month. 1.6 billion rounds,
therefore, would be enough to sustain
a hot war for 20+ years In America,”
– Forbes Magazine, March 11, 2013

14. 2717 Armored Vehicles

15. 7,000 “Personal Defense
Weapons” for Homeland Security
On the other
hand, if
civilians
attempt to
possess
AR15s, they
are called
“Assault
Weapons.”

16. Our Christian, American Heritage
We, as Christian Americans have a rich history
and a God-given Heritage to protect.
We have been blessed by God above all other
nations. We are the Philadelphian church. We
have sent and funded more missionaries to the
lost and unbelieving world than all other nations
combined, but we are now in great danger of
losing our freedom and our very lives.

17. So we are faced with decision
Do we roll over and accept the mandates of
Constitutionally questionable laws or…
Do we exercise “non-compliance” such as
Gandhi and Civil Rights protesters used
until such edicts are settled by unbiased
examination of written law?
We will look at the question and examine
both biblical instruction and the historical
record.

18. Decision Time in America
Do we employ peaceful resistance through
non-compliance, hoping that such tactics
will result in our present government
reconsidering their plans and withdrawing
their attempt to restrict gun ownership?
In my opinion, any law designed to restrict
gun ownership in any manner, is by
definition an “infringement” on our right to
keep and bear arms.

19. If non-compliance fails…
Let us examine another clause in the Declaration
of Independence:
“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations,
pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a
design to reduce them under absolute
Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to
throw off such Government, and to provide new
Guards for their future security…” (emphasis added)

20. A Short Look at History
“The British gun control program that precipitated
the American Revolution: the 1774 import ban
on firearms and gunpowder; the 1774-75
confiscations of firearms and gunpowder; and
the use of violence to effectuate the
confiscations.
“It was these events that changed a situation of
political tension into a shooting war. Each of
these British abuses provides insights into the
scope of the modern Second Amendment.”
http://www.davekopel.org/2A/LawRev/american-revolution-
against-british-gun-control.html

21. A+B=C
Guns cannot be confiscated until those who are
attempting the act first know where the guns are.
Gun registration is a first and necessary step if a
government is intent upon gun confiscation.
The 2nd Amendment to our Constitution was written
not to guarantee our right to go hunting or for
self defense, it was written to protect the people
from tyrannical government.
But what is a Christian’s duty? Should we submit
to government or do we defend our liberty?

22. On the one hand…
Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, That
ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall
smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to
him the other also.

23. Jesus spoke of
His Heavenly Kingdom
John 18:36 Jesus answered, My
kingdom is not of this world: if my
kingdom were of this world, then
would my servants fight, that I should
not be delivered to the Jews: but now
is my kingdom not from hence.

24. A contradiction?
Lu 22:36 Then said he (Jesus) 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.

25. What does Scripture say?
We must be careful to determine the Will of
God in all things and not pick out a verse
or two and build a doctrine on them.
QUESTION:
“If in the event of an attempted dictatorship
or another Civil War what is the duty of an
American Bible believing Christian?”

26. First, we must preach the Gospel
and bend every effort to win the lost.
But a pastor must also lead when he, as a
watchman on the wall “…seeth the sword
come….” When that happens he is
instructed to sound the alarm.
Otherwise the blood of the unwarned people
will be on his head.

27. “The War to end all wars.”

28. Sgt. Alvin York
Sgt. Alvin York
was a World War
One (WWI)
Congressional
Medal of Honor
winner who first
entered the U.S.
Army as a
declared pacifist.

29. Why did York change his mind?
York’s commanding officer, Major Buxton
used Scripture to turn a pacifist into a
fearless fighting man who single-handedly
killed 28 and captured 132 German
soldiers and with the help of a few others
delivered them to headquarters for
imprisonment.
Major Buxton first went to Ezekiel 33…

30. Ezekiel 33:1-6
1 ¶ Again the word of the LORD came unto
me, saying,
2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy
people, and say unto them, When I bring the
sword upon a land, if the people of the land
take a man of their coasts, and set him for
their watchman:
3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the
land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the
people;

31. Ezekiel 33:1-6
4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of
the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if
the sword come, and take him away, his
blood shall be upon his own head.
5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and
took not warning; his blood shall be
upon him. But he that taketh warning
shall deliver his soul.

32. Ezekiel 33:1-6
6 But if the watchman see the sword
come, and blow not the trumpet, and
the people be not warned; if the
sword come, and take any person
from among them, he is taken away
in his iniquity; but his blood will I
require at the watchman's hand.

33. Dr. John R. Rice:
“I think that the case of Jeroboam in
Ist Kings 12, who rebelled against
Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, and the
case of Jehu in 2 Kings 9, who
rebelled against Jehoram, king of
Israel, show that God sometimes is in
favor of a revolution against a wicked
king.”

34. J. Vernon McGee:
• “The Lord said, ‘He that hath no sword, let
him sell his garment, and buy one.’ Why?
For self protection, of course. They were
living in days that required a sword. We
need to recognize that fact also. If we do
not resist evil today, all kinds of evil will
befall us…”

35. Dr. Robert L. Moyer
“There may come times when there will
be a clash between state and
church…When such a clash comes,
in, the words of the apostles, ‘we
must obey God rather than men.’”

36. What about the martyrs?
On the other side of the coin, Christian
history is replete with examples of
Christians that went to their deaths without
apparent resistance and it often seems
that the Gospel is furthered more in those
instances, than when war is employed.

37. Did the martyrs fail to resist?
But reading Foxes’ Book of Martyrs, we realize
that these people were killed (burned, hanged,
beheaded etc.) not for turning the other cheek,
but for precisely the opposite reason.
They were killed for resisting the power of the
state, that is, they refused to bow down to the
King or Pope and thus were executed. But they
chose to obey God and not men (Acts 5:29).

38. IN FACT…
Numerous famous heroes of the Bible – including
many of those listed in the “Faith Hall of Fame”
in Hebrews 11 as well as in other passages –
were accorded their special position of honor
because they committed civil disobedience (e.g.,
Daniel, the Three Hebrew Children, the Hebrew
midwives, Rahab, Moses, etc.; and the Apostles
in Acts 4-5 also declared their willingness to be
civilly disobedient against tyrannical commands
of civil and religious rulers).

39. Believer Civil Disobedience
Da 1:8 ¶ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he
would not defile himself with the portion of the
king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank:
therefore he requested of the prince of the
eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Da 3:12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast
set over the affairs of the province of Babylon,
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men,
O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not
thy gods, nor worship the golden image which
thou hast set up.

40. Egyptian Midwives & Rahab
Ex 1:17 But the midwives feared God, and
did not as the king of Egypt commanded
them, but saved the men children alive.
Jos 2:3 And the king of Jericho sent unto
Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that
are come to thee, which are entered into
thine house: for they be come to search
out all the country.

41. Moses kills Pharaoh’s Man
Ex 2:12 Ex 2:11 ¶ And it came to pass in those
days, when Moses was grown, that he went out
unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens:
and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew,
one of his brethren. 11 And he looked this way
and that way, and when he saw that there was
no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the
sand.

42. What about subversion or fraud?
If America votes legally (Constitutionally) to
become a communist nation it becomes our
Christian duty to either submit or leave.
However, when tyrannical government succeeds
not by legal procedures, but instead by fraud,
subversion or deceit, it thereby becomes an
ILLEGAL government and must be resisted.

43. They defied secular authority
Ac 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy
Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the
people, and elders of Israel,
9 If we this day be examined of the good
deed done to the impotent man, by what
means he is made whole;…
Ac 4:14 And beholding the man which was
healed standing with them, they could say
nothing against it.

44. They defied religious authority
Ac 5:17 ¶ Then the high priest rose up, and all
they that were with him, (which is the sect of the
Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
Ac 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you
that ye should not teach in this name? and,
behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your
doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood
upon us…Ac 5:29 Then Peter and the other
apostles answered and said, We ought to obey
God rather than men.

45. The American Declaration of
Independence:
“…But when a long train of abuses and
usurpation, pursuing invariably the same
Object evinces a design to reduce them
under absolute Despotism, it is their right,
it is their duty, to throw off such
Government, and to provide new Guards
for their future security.”
NOTE: To do otherwise is to make
AN IDOL OF GOVERNMENT

46. But John McArthur and others
liken patriotism to heresy…
“People have mistakenly linked democracy and
political freedom to Christianity. That’s why many
contemporary evangelicals believe the American
Revolution was completely justified, both politically
and scripturally.
“They follow the arguments of the Declaration of
Independence, which declares that life, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness are Divinely endowed rights.
. . . But such a position is contrary to the clear
teachings and commands of Romans 13:1-7.”

47. Romans 13:1 ¶ Let every soul be subject unto the
higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the
powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth
the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall
receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the
evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do
that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the
same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if
thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth
not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a
revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

48. For conscience sake
Romans 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be
subject, not only for wrath, but also for
conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are
God's ministers, attending continually upon this
very thing.
7 ¶ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to
whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom;
fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

49. Please Note Carefully
Ro 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works,
but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the
power? do that which is good, and thou shalt
have praise of the same: (emphasis added)
If a government becomes “a terror to good works”
and rewards the evil, that government has
stepped out of the biblical mandate, has become
an illegitimate government and must be resisted.

50. Return to God’s Law
We all need to return to God’s basic Law, the Ten
Commandments. “Thou shalt not kill” applies to
government as well as we the people.
“Thou shalt not steal, commit adultery, lie, worship
idols, blaspheme, etc. applies equally to our
leaders as well as to us.
Only a fundamental, real revival and turning back
to Christ offers any hope for America!

51. “The Powers that be…”
If a gang of thugs breaks into your house, they
certainly are “The powers.” Should we therefore
humbly submit and be obedient to their every
command? Of course not. The same is true
when a dictatorial government or its
representative begins unlawfully giving out
edicts or commands. In that case he has
become a terror to “good works.”
If so, he is acting in opposition to our written law
and therefore must be resisted. Otherwise we
have “Turned the other cheek (Mt 5:39)
unlawfully,” and we find ourselves in opposition
to God’s Word.

52. Who is the “Ruler?”
A democracy is a form of government by
which laws are made and discarded at
will, subject only to the will of the majority.
A Republic is a form of government in which
the people have consented to place
themselves under the rule of written law,
usually called a “constitution.”

53. THE UNITED STATES
Is a Constitutional Republic. That is, we are
governed (ruled) by a written set of laws
agreed upon and willingly submitted to, by
our founding fathers.
Our Constitution cannot be changed simply
by a simple vote of the majority or by
Executive Order. All changes must be
ratified by a 3/4ths majority of the states
as provided by law. (Article 5)

54. We are under the Rule of Law
Our written constitution then becomes our “ruler.”
All citizens and officers of our Republic become
subject to our written law and are required to
submit to it.
Any person who tries to circumvent our law without
due process, for example by “executive order”
becomes by definition a lawbreaker, and must
be resisted and eventually punished.

55. Our Bible is our Law &
Command
Christians are
commanded to
also live by the
written law of
God. You
might call it our
“Christian
Constitution.”

56. Our law allows for the election or
appointment of representatives
just as the Bible teaches.
Those representatives are required to
protect our written law and are
accountable to the people. When they fail
to protect our God-given law (our
Constitution) they must be recalled and
replaced with men who will act in
accordance with the law. If we fail to do
that we will lose our freedom and become
the slaves of other men.

57. Our form of government comes
from our Bible:
Numbers 11:16,17
And the LORD said unto Moses,…

58. Numbers 11:
16 ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto
me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom
thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and
officers over them; and bring them unto the
tabernacle of the congregation, that they may
stand there with thee.
17 And I will come down and talk with thee there:
and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee,
and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the
burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it
not thyself alone.

59. God spoke to His people…
Deut 16:18 ¶ Judges and officers
shalt thou make thee in all thy
gates, which the LORD thy God
giveth thee, throughout thy tribes:
and they shall judge the people
with just judgment.

60. God disciplined with judges
Judges 2:16 Nevertheless the LORD raised up
judges, which delivered them out of the hand of
those that spoiled them.
17 And yet they would not hearken unto their
judges, but they went a whoring after other gods,
and bowed themselves unto them: they turned
quickly out of the way which their fathers walked
in, obeying the commandments of the LORD;
but they did not so.

61. Three layers of government
Isaiah 33:22 For the LORD is our
judge (judicial), the LORD is our
lawgiver (legislative), the LORD is
our king (executive); he will save
us.

62. Conclusion: We are taught to live
by, and to protect our Law
The President and other elected and
appointed officials ARE TRANSIENT
and are only empowered to carry out
the law, and to amend it by lawful
procedure. Our President therefore, is
not our ruler, he is merely the
instrument by which law (the
Constitution, “our ruler”) is enforced.

63. God Bless America
The American experiment is unique in the
world. For 200 years we have lived in a
model country that is based upon biblical
principles.
Today we are in grave danger of losing our
way of life, indeed our very lives because
we have turned away from God and refuse
to repent of our evil and turn back to Him.

64. THE GENTLE QUAKER
A Quaker gentleman heard a noise one
night in the parlor and upon investigating
found a burglar taking the family silver.
He raised his shotgun and spoke quietly :
“Friend, I would do thee no harm for all of
this world, but friend, thou standest where
I am about to shoot.”

65. THE ONLY REAL SOLUTION
Without real revival. Without genuine
repentance for sin and with broken hearts,
going to God in prayer admitting we are
individually sinners, there is no hope.
We may have to fight another revolutionary
war. We may win. But over time it will be
the same story again. The only real
solution is governance by God Almighty.

66. IF MY PEOPLE WILL TURN…
2Ch 7:14 If my people, which
are called by my name, shall
humble themselves, and pray,
and seek my face, and turn from
their wicked ways; then will I hear
from heaven, and will forgive their
sin, and will heal their land.