The use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense

Okay, here's a potentially loaded one (no pun intended).  What are your views on self-defense?

My views?  I'm an Alaskan, with a valid concealed carry permit.  That should tell ya enough   But honestly, I do believe in responsible gun ownership, as well as responsible attitudes regarding the use of deadly force in self defense.  As a Christian, I also believe the Bible explains that God makes provision for such, but this provision should not foster a "Dirty Harry" mindset, if you know what I mean.

jth

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"... he who made the three principal languages, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, also created all the others for his own praise and glory."
--Pope John VIII, ca 9th century

"The teaching of fishermen and tentmakers shines in the language of barbarians more brightly than the sun."
--John Chrysostom, on the Goths using their vernacular in litanies, ca 3rd century

I believe that if someone is protecting thier children or wife from harm. I is exceptable. It is our chriistian duty to protect our children. If someone truly evil was to harm my child, or wife. I would not hesitate to use deadly force. That does not mean I would hunt that person down and kill them if they did something to my loved ones and then took off. I would let the police deal with that. I mean, If someone was hurting my child, in front of my eyes, I would kill that person to stop them.

me too. and i know several Christain women who feel the same way. touch my cub and die.

Okay, how do you justify your views--scripture, patristic quotes, whatever?

For me, deadly force for defense of home & property is addressed in a verse in Exodus:

22:2 "If a thief be found breaking up [or breaking in], and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him."

jth

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"... he who made the three principal languages, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, also created all the others for his own praise and glory."
--Pope John VIII, ca 9th century

"The teaching of fishermen and tentmakers shines in the language of barbarians more brightly than the sun."
--John Chrysostom, on the Goths using their vernacular in litanies, ca 3rd century

we have to do things sometime to protect ourselves from the evil that comes upon us, I think God is an understanding God and He would not judge us harshly if we try to protect ourselves or our love ones. I think women need to do more in the area of self defense so we are not so vunerable. I took some self defense classes and I would do what is necessary to defend myself or my child.

I wish there were some provisions for this in our religion, but Jesus made His point when He healed that servant's ear: we must completely trust in God, and refrain from all violence -- no exceptions, not even to defend the Lord's life.

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That seems like an extremely broad interpretation of what that passage actually said.  I don't remember that being about nonviolence so much as Jesus' understanding that what was to occur was God's will and that it must happen.  It would be difficult to justify applying that to defense of one's family or person.

-brett

I'm very interested in this topic. I'm not a christian, but I would be very interested to know how christians can legitimise the use of violence with respect to their religion. I'm a buddhist, and believe very (very!) strongly in non-violence. But I am somewhat torn in what I would do were I confronted with a situation requiring the use of potentially deadly force. I've studied unarmed self-defense, and the use of knives in self-defense, and could use such force if necessary. Mother Vashti's comment is valid in buddhism as well... the buddha quite plainly said that one should avoid violence, of any level, at all cost. But if someone ever threatened my girlfriend, I'm not so sure I could ignore it. =) Comments?

We are stewards of our body and life and the same commandment that warns us not to hurt or murder others also applies us. We are to care for our body and life even as we care for the body and life of others. <!-- 2673 Christian Living - Human Behavior, Other-->

Here is David's policy- After King Saul was killed in battle by a Philistine archer, David initiated a policy to arm and train the populace (2 Sam. 1:18). David was a man after God's own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). It appears that God approved of David's defense policy ( Num. 31:3; 1 Sam. 25:13).


What about the sixth commandment, someone might ask, "Thou shalt not kill" (Ex. 20:13). Well, Jesus interpreted this to mean murder (Mt. 19:16-18).

Ex. 21:12-16-God authorizes capital punishment

Ex. 22:2-God authorizes self-defense.

Ex. 23:20-33-God approves of the fighting of wars.