191: Should Christians Carry Guns? Violence in America and the Spirit Behind It

I sat down with my brother and longtime friend Cole Zick, we found ourselves wrestling with one question: What’s the role of a man in a world that seems to be falling apart? From mass shootings to moral confusion, we’re watching violence rise in ways that test our faith, courage, and leadership. This conversation isn’t about politics — it’s about calling men back to their God-given design to protect, heal, and lead with emotional and spiritual maturity.

In this episode, Cole and I dive deep into what real protection looks like — not just carrying a weapon, but cultivating the emotional composure to de-escalate conflict, protect your family, and lead your community with integrity. We talk about how unhealed pain fuels chaos, how churches can prepare wisely without fear, and why it’s time for men to master both strength and tenderness.

This isn’t a doom-and-gloom episode. It’s a wake-up call to become the kind of men the world actually needs right now — men who carry wisdom, humility, and power under control. Stick around to the end; I share a personal story that’ll make you laugh and think about what courage really looks like when your family’s on the line.

Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Why This Conversation Matters
01:09 – Violence in America and the Spirit Behind It
04:30 – What Is a Man’s Responsibility to Protect?
06:14 – Should Christians Carry Guns?
09:46 – The Power of Emotional Mastery
10:33 – The Story of My Son and the Shotgun
14:44 – Building Church Security Without Fear
17:36 – Recognizing the Same Spirit Behind Culture Wars
22:40 – Healing the Root of Brokenness in Men
34:53 – Final Thoughts: Competence, Courage, and Compassion

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ABOUT BRAVECO: We live in a time where men are hunting for the truth and looking for the codebook to manhood. At BraveCo, we are on a mission to heal the narrative of masculinity across a generation; fighting the good fight together because every man should feel confident and capable of facing his pain, loving deeply, and leading a life that impacts the world around him.