Hunting Theology Forum
The purpose of this page is to discuss
various hunting issues from a biblical perspective. If you have a
question, thought, or response to another question or thought, please fill
out the form and click submit. Responses will be added daily.
The current issue: What has determined
or determines the type or size of weapon(s) you use for harvesting game?
Leonard B. Stilwell II
I am not a hunter simply because I don't have the stomach for it, but I
support your moral right to hunt! I am a dedicated Christian. . .and
while I'm not interested in hunting, I am VERY CONCERNED about the erosion
of our Second Amendment rights and the vilification of gun owners, especially
Christian gun owners. Do you know of any websites that discuss the
relevance/relatedness of our Christian faith and our gun rights?
. . .I will appreciate hearing your thoughts and suggestions as to websites
that may discuss these issues. . . .Thanks!
Pastor Terry What are
the essentials of faith for the North American christian church today?
Protecting of citizen's rights or being ambassadors for Christ? What
of Romans 12:1-3, can we fight the battle for our citizen's rights AND
effectively do the work of the church? Or do we need those rights,
before we can count ourselves crucified with Christ? (Galatians 2:20)
The Evangelical church has fought so long for political strength that it
has lost its Holy Ghost POWER. A very bad deal for certain.
For nothing will be accomplished, that lasts, but that which we do, which
is NOT of our own power.
Vernon M Hodges Someone
please explain the Predestination Theory to me. I only feel it fair
to explain my present position of faith that you may have an understanding
of my faith. I believe that a man must be "BORN AGAIN." In
other words, "He must believe in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior."
John 3:16 I do realize that salvation is a free gift from God and it is
not of our selves. No work that we could ever accomplish ourselves would
give us salvation, IT IS ALL OF GOD . My problem is the Calvin theory.
Only those whom God predestinated can be saved theory upsets me deeply.
I am confused. Help?
Phillip G. Wahlbeck Re:
Election and Faith. In the Bible one has two principles which are
taught: election by God and faith by man in Christ. These appear
to be contradictory, but they are both taught. Clearly the Bible
teaches that man must believe in Jesus Christ placing his faith in Him
for the complete work of redemption (see John 3:16, John 20:30, 31, Acts
16:31). The Philippian jailer was told "Believe in the Lord Jesus,
and you shall be saved, you and your household." God is sovereign
and has all under His control. God chooses some (see Romans 9:13-15),
and He has elected individuals (see Ephesians 1:3-6). In God's view
these are not contradictory or mutually exclusive concepts. They
must both be valid at the same time. That is a paradox which only
God understands - not us. It is wonderful to have a God who is beyond
human logic. Praise the Lord!
Pastor Chuck Vernon, believing
is a works, and born again is covered for you in John 3:3-5. The
key to the kingdom is Acts 2:38. Also would like to respond to Phillip
G. Wahlbeck. Sir, you know that faith comes by hearing the Word.
You also have to be in Christ, I repeat, in Christ to receive the gift.
Hope I have helped put you on the right track. Good hunting and run
the race with God's Word in your heart.
Mike The best explanation
that I have heard of predestination vs. free will went something like this:
If you were a betting man and knew which horse was going to win each race,
why would you bet on the losing horses? The horses win on their own,
but you fill out the bet sheet with the winners. God is omniscient
(all knowing -past, present, and future). He knows who will be saved
("pre-knowing"). Salvation is a free gift. We are able to accept
(winner) or reject it (lose), but God has the list of winners in the book
of life. Perhaps your confusion comes from a misunderstanding of
the word predetermine. Take off the prefix "pre" which means before
and think about "determining" facts. When you determine facts, you
learn them (come to know them). God has "pre-determined" who will
be saved. He "pre-knows" who will accept the invitation to salvation.
Yes he has the power to make whatever happen he chooses to (he is soverign
God), but he has chosen to allow us the free will to choose eternal life,
or reject it. If he made us like robots to be always obedient, there could
be no true love for him. He us to reciprocate his love, so we have
free will. Despite that he knows who will be with him forever.
Hope this helps. Hey, if all else fails - ask God to help you to
understand. He always listens.
NLR In response to the
topic question that was asked, first off following the laws of the land
should determine the weapon or firearm used to hunt any type of game. The
laws of all states in the US have regulations pertaining to which type
of gun and which caliber that guns is, can be used to hunt whitetailed
deer, for example. It is our responsibiliy as Christian hunters to
uphold all the ordinances
of the state in our outdoor affairs.
The origin of law is the supreme law of God. We are to obey his law, and
the law of government as well. Secondly, a hunter needs to use a
weapon appropriate for the type of
hunting he/she is doing. Using .375
H&H rifle to hunt deer is overkill. The gun and cartridge is too
powerful for the job at hand.
There are better choices, such as .270 or a 30-06 for deer hunting. Using
the correct weapon for the game being
hunted is like a car mechanic using the right wrench to do a car
tune up correctly. The weapon is a
tool to get the job done correctly and efficiently. Using the right
tool for the job is the key. Thirdly,
as far as which weapon is the best choice, well, that really is a
matter of personal preference. I think
the one weapon a person is proficient at using to make a good hunt, and
the one a person has the most fun with is the best one. I want to
thank the webmaster for a great forum, and most importantly thank Jesus
for making it possible. I thank God for the Holy Spirit, who's unction
led me to this forum for the first time today. Praise the Lord, and Gods
Bless You All!
Ron L I'd like to add
something to what NLR stated. As God gave us dominion over animals, He
also made us stewards over all of what he created. It's our responsibility
as good stewards to choose the correct tool for the job. If the gun is
too large, we waste valuable meat, if the gun is too small, we only wound
a magnificant creature. The laws are made, based on studies, which would
allow or disallow certan weapons based on their performance. Also, and
this isn't just a cop-out I use with my spouse, it's important that we
are able to use our hunting equipment as effectively as possible. We can
only gain proficiency with our guns if we practice, practice, practice.
Praise Him for all He has made.
Shocking Power Well, now I'd
like to comment on the question of weapon choice (caliber/power) in hunting.
First of all, I am an Australian Christian, and we have very strict laws
here about what calibers one may use and where and when. Since we
must obey the laws, 'rendering to Caesar...", and leaving no room
for malicious rumering about the Faith, we must at least know what is legally
required. But we do need to go further, and set the pace in ethical
hunting - surely we must consider the beast as a creature of the Most High,
and we should treat that creature with respect. We should remember
that God gave Adam, our federal head, charge of all the creatures and responsibility
for them each one. So cruelty must be removed, any reasonable responsible
hunter will cherish the prey and respect the animals, surely? This
means we must understand clearly the effects of bullets, and know what
is required in the circumsatnces to effectively knock down the game, with
one shot. The truth is we can't always be perfectly on aim, and occassions
will occur when more gun would save the agony and horror of the prey.
It is an honour to God to care for the gifts he has given us, I would almost
go so far as to say it's an act of worship to think kindly and show real
consideration for the game animal. I like to think its possible to
givie thanks to God before a hunt, and prayerfully consider our actions
during the hunt. But we also need to consider over shooting, and
the danger of each shot. I read of a girl (?) killed in Canada by
a stray .303 shot, that was almost spent but entered the car through a
slightly open window, hitting the victim in the neck, severing arteries
and killing them very quickly. We can never say "It'll never happen",
cause it sure could, and just might, and then no manner of apologising
brinbgs back a dead son, daughter, wife, husband...
Michael I have to sneak
out of the house to hunt and fish and I'm not allowed to my children hunting
with me. My wife considers hunting and anything with guns and bow and arrows
to be sinful. I hunted and fished with my father until he died recently
and it was a wonderful experience. Can anyone provide me with scriptures
that could help convince my wife that hunting with a gun or a bow and arrow
is not sinful. I'm a responsible hunter. I've only shot 3 pheasants in
the last 5 years and I'm still trying for my first deer.
Bob I know people who
eat meat yet they are opposed to hunting. I just tell them that when they
eat meat they are eating hunted animals. And besides if hunting weren't
allowed there would be too many animals and the vegetation would go down
and even more animals would die, so i really don't know why so many people
are against hunting.
chopper THIS IS GREAT A CHRISTIAN HUNTING FORUM. HOWDY TO ALL AND GOD BLESS.
MY WIFE GETS UPSET WHEN I HUNT TOO. BUT FOR DIFFERENT REASONS. SHE JUST THINKS I SPEND
TOO MUCH TIME DOING IT. SHE IS NOT A CHRISTIAN. I WAS NOT SAVED UNTILL AFTER WE WERE
MARRIED AND HAD TO GREAT BOYS. I,VE TRIED TO TALK TO HER AND PRAY FOR HER ALL THE TIME
BUT THE "WIND" JUST HASN'T BLOWN HER WAY YET.(PRAYS FOR MY WIFE WOULD BE APRECIATED)
IF YOUR WIFE THINKS HUNTING IS "SINFUL" SHE MUST BE A CHRSTIAN. IN GENESIS 1:26 GOD GAVE
US CONTROL OVER THE ANIMALS. THEN IN GENESIS 9:3 HE TELLS NOAH AND HIS SONS THEY CAN
EAT THE ANIMALS. IN GENESIS 25:27-28 IT TELLS OF ESAU WHO WAS A SKILLFULL HUNTER AND OF
ISAAC'S LOVE FOR THE TASTE FOR WILD GAME. ALSO ALL THROUGH OUT THE OLD TESTAMENT
PEOPLE GAVE ANIMAL SACRIFICES TO THE LORD. IN LEVITICUS 6:24-30 GOD INSTRUCTS MOSES ON
HOW SIN OFFERINGS SHOULD BE SLAUGHTERED. OF COURSE WE DON'T DO THIS TODAY BECAUSE
THE BLOOD OF JESUS HAS COVERED OUR SINS BUT IF IT WAS SINFUL TO HUNT AND KILL ANIMALS
HOW COULD A SLAUGHTERED ANIMAL HAVE BEEN A AN ATONEMENT FOR SIN AT ONE TIME? IF
THAT WAS THE CASE THEN MOSES'S TRIBE WERE SINNING TO GET RID OF SIN? KIND OF A LOSSING
BATTLE DON'T YOU THINK? HOPE THIS HELPS. GOD BLEES TO ALL AND HAPPY HUNTING. PLEASE
PRAY FOR MY WIFE. ALSO IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO HUNTS WITH DOGS? I HUNT RABBIT
BOBCAT COYOTE AND FOX IN NE PA.
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