Luke 22:36 and Hsiao’s Libertarian ‘Theology’ of Gun Ownership

Abstract

Christian philosopher Timothy Hsiao has recently provided in this journal a defence of gun ownership and public gun carrying. I will respond with an argument against gun ownership for self-defence. In particular I will argue that Hsiao’s argument misuses Scripture, fails to employ a range of important theological categories, and leads to increased harms. I argue these failings occur because Hsiao’s fundamental objective is not to seek a Kingdom of God theology of guns but rather to defend a libertarian social vision. In effect, his thin theology is really a veneer for a libertarian defence of guns and gun culture, whereas I argue that a Kingdom of God theology seeks to provide a safer society and thus would move society away from gun culture.