LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Kentucky pastor is inviting his flock to bring guns to church to celebrate the Fourth of July and the Second Amendment.
New Bethel Church is welcoming “responsible handgun owners” to wear their firearms inside the church June 27, a Saturday. An ad says there will be a handgun raffle, patriotic music and information on gun safety.
“We’re just going to celebrate the upcoming theme of the birth of our nation,” said pastor Ken Pagano. “And we’re not ashamed to say that there was a strong belief in God and firearms — without that this country wouldn’t be here.”
Family, I’m not sure what you think about the merging of Faith and Patriotism… Furthermore, should we be people who bring PEACE, or people who bring our PIECE??? Freestyle with me…
Published by Drew G. I. Hart, PhD
Rev. Dr. Drew G. I. Hart is an associate professor of theology at Messiah University and has 10 years of pastoral experience prior to teaching. He currently directs Messiah University's "Thriving Together: Congregations for Racial Justice" program and co-hosts Inverse Podcast with Jarrod McKenna, an award-winning peace activist from Australia. Hart is the author of Trouble I've Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism (2016) and Who Will Be A Witness?: Igniting Activism for God's Justice, Love, and Deliverance (2020). And he is also a co-editor and contributor to the recently published book entitled Reparations and the Theological Disciplines: Prophetic Voices for Remembrance, Reckoning, and Repair (Nov. 2023). Hart received bcmPEACE’s 2017 Peacemaker Award, the 2019 W.E.B. Du Bois Award in Harrisburg, PA, and most recently in December 2023 Life Esteem Ministries recognized him in Harrisburg with the Harambee Award for the Nguzo Saba Principle of Umoja—Unity for his faith-based activism and public scholarship in the community. Drew and his family live in Harrisburg, PA.
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Drew G. I. Hart 
Well, I could say that this pastor is in the flesh. Our war is with principalities and powers in the spirit. “My house shall be a house of prayer”.
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!
Howell Forgy
I remember hearing that expression as I was growing up because I was not born too far behind the greatest generation coming home from WWII.
It was not said with blood lust – but rather – just matter of fact because of a situation that created the need to bear arms at that time.
When I went on the Civil Rights bus tour – I had one thing that I pondered more than any other – Is non-violence correct for EVERY situation? If the answer is that there are situations where war is necessary – should we then bear arms as a matter of course and simply treat them as another tool we (may need to) use in life?
I happen to think so.
And with that said – I don’t actually think it was a good idea for this pastor to do what he did. I realize it was probably just in response to the fight most of us expect to be waged on legitimate gun owners by the powers that be.
The issue, as you suggested is this apparent marriage between patriotism and Christianity. The reality is gun rights is a matter of cultural Christianity non biblical Christianity.
Also, I question the usage of the phrase “birth of our nation,”. I think more tactful words should have been used.
While, I am assuming I disagree with the Pastor’s perspective – though I do believe in some Gun Ownership -, I do appreciate having a Gun-Safety session. Regardless of one’s belief about guns, people carry them. Modeling and teaching responsibility is important for the church to do in any situation. And, I do recognize that although this event is in the church building it is on a Saturday.
It has been while since I’ve been on your blog, we have similar tastes in themes.
Hey there,
Sometimes it’s much easier to add to the message than it is to change it. I think that’s what John had in mind when he wrote, “18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book;”
I guess what I’m saying is some things have a place in church but a GLOCK 37 .45 G.A.P… probably not.
Does that make sense?
In Christ,
Mark