'Armor Of Light' Challenges Christians Who Are Pro-Life and Pro-Gun (Review)
"Armor Of Light" will broadcast nationally on PBS Tuesday, May 10. It's a movie that shows the heart-wrenching fight of Lucy McBath after the murder of teenager Jordan Davis, and one pastor's journey to explore the pro-gun and pro-life arguments.
The compelling documentary follows Reverend Rob Schenck, founder of the Christian outreach program Faith and Action, on his quest to start a dialogue with his Christian brothers and sisters on gun laws and how they align with what the Bible teaches.
McBath, who is actively fighting for stricter gun laws after her unarmed teenage son was shot and killed on November 2012, is a big part of "Armor of Light." The grieving mother, also a devout Christian, vowed to fight for stricter screenings for those who want to acquire fire arms. She believes it's what God has instructed her to do after losing her own son to unwarranted gun violence.
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News stories of murders and accidents due to gun violence are showcased in the documentary and Schenck asked questions like, "when should a Christian carry a concealed gun?" and "should Christians allow fear to inform their decision to bear arms?"
Schenck sets out to get both sides of the argument, spanning across deep party lines to find common ground. The film emphasizes that many white evangelicals are members of the National Rifle Association.
"The surest way to stop a bad guy with a gun is with a good guy with a gun," NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre is featured saying.
As the documentary progresses, the evangelical minister finds the courage to preach about the growing toll of gun violence and heavily wrestles with whether being pro-gun is consistent with being pro-life.
In the gripping portrait, director Abigail E. Disney follows Schenck into churches, his focus group, to meet his supporters as he introduces the notion that perhaps Jesus would not be an advocate for guns because it takes the reliance off of God and puts it on a weapon. His journey to find the moral strength to preach about the growing toll of gun violence in America is nerve-racking and captivating as we see him argue with his own constituents in an effort to be true to his convictions.
Shocked and perplexed by the reactions of his long-time friends and colleagues, the reverend is warned to stay away from the explosive issue. However, McBath's personal testimony and courage compels Schenck to reach out to urge clergymen around the country to discuss the moral and ethical response to gun violence anyway.
"As Evangelical Christian leaders, we know that it is the authority of God's Word in which we glean guidance on everything – including the cultural issues of our day. On the subject of guns, I'm afraid that many in our community have adopted a political and cultural ideology on the matter instead of looking at it through a Scriptural lens. Are our thoughts, words, and actions when it comes to guns and gun violence reflecting the Lord's character – His thoughts, His Words, and His actions?" Rev. Schenck asks in a statement shared with The Christian Post.
On the quest to get his peers to inform their political views of the Second Amendment with his understanding of biblical teaching, Schenck tastefully introduces a subject that, in all forms, needs delicate consideration. His difficult journey represents both sides of the coin and reveals that both sides believe wholeheartedly in what they stand for.
Now that the film is done and the dialogue has started, Schenck and other evangelical leaders have launched a new website called Sword of the Spirit, a Christian conversation on gun violence, in an effort to continue a prayerful and biblical conversation on guns and gun violence.
The site was created to be a "safe place" for pastors, evangelical leaders, and laymen. It provides pastoral resources, inspiration, articles and a forum where all are encouraged to seek out biblical guidance on the issue of guns and gun violence in America.
For more information on "Armor of Light" visit armoroflightfilm.com.
