From a reader: I thoroughly enjoy your comments on any and all matters. In her column, Thistlethwaite ignores that Jesus’ admonition in Matthew 26:52 followed one of his disciples (John 18:10 says it was his lead disciple Simon Peter) cutting off an ear of one of the men arresting Jesus in Gethsemene. The reason Peter could do that was that Jesus made sure his men were armed before they went out that night (Luke 22:36-38). So one could argue that Jesus requires his followers to be armed.

Yeah, but what did Jesus know about Christian theology? This lady writes for Newsweek!

Update: Fromn a reader:

Jonah’s reader alluded to it, but the passage in question (Luke 22:35-38) really does represent a setback for the people who think Christians waive the right to self-defense. Here it is in full (emphasis mine):
And Jesus said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”
Some will try to get around this by claiming, “Oh, but Jesus meant a metaphorical sword!” This argument is weak, though, because it’s obvious that the moneybag, knapsack, and sandals are meant literally, not metaphorically.
Now, I can think of at least one character in the Bible who makes the argument, “Put yourself in danger; after all, God will take care of you!” That character is Satan, in Matt 4:5-7:
Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Is this really the argument they want to be making?
Keep up the interesting topics!

Update II: From a reader:

Another idiocy in Thistlethwaite’s piece involves her interpretation of “Thou shalt not kill” as a blanket prohibition against armed violence.
Hard to square with Moses’ turning the Levites loose to slaughter three thousand golden-calf-worshipping Israelites about five minutes after he brought the Decalogue down from Sinai. (Exodus 32:27.)

Moses? You think Moses was some sort of expert on the Ten Commandments? He just delivered the message. She’s got a column in Newsweek!