Can a Christian defend himself OR others? (Defensive killing)

[real tree]

"You cannot serve two masters" and "do not swear at all by heaven or by earth..." Every politician has to take an oath to abide by the will of the majority and by the constitution. There, that was simple.

As far as oath taking is concerned you should start a different thread for that, which can be argued also.

 

[real tree]

Who defended Y'SHUA ?

Y'SHUA does not need anyone to defend him, just in case you did not know that.

 

[Honoluluwindow]

Is it right for a Christian to defend himself OR others if it will result in the attacker/threats death?

I have spoken to multiple people about this question. As the end continues to draw closer things will get worse and worse. There will be warfare, earthquakes, famine, and disease. Men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, disobedient to parents, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God.

I do not fear these times, I accept it will happen. My question is how should one who loves God act during these times in a way that is holy and not part of the world or falling short of God's standard.. If someone threatens my life and wishes to commit murder, can I defend my body if it means the attacker dies in the process?

All of Jesus' disciples besides Judas Iscariot (who committed suicide) where killed/murdered and I don't believe any defended themselves.
Scripure says something along the lines of "Those who lose their lives will find it, those who keep their lives will lose it" does this mean by defending yourself you will be punished?
Scripure also says something along the lines of "there is no greater love than laying down your life for another" does this mean you could risk your life defending another Person?

I understand the concept of ending someone's life short when there is a possibility of them having asked for repentance/salvation later on, IF they hadn't been killed.. But still, I wonder how I would act in that situation.

How would you act? Would you let someone kill you or a loved one?

Capital Murder is punishable by the death penalty according to Jesus.

 

[real tree]

The book of Job is in the Old Testament though. I'm tired so I won't go into details right now, but some things changed in the New Testament so I don't believe it's alright to kill people for any reason anymore. God Himself didn't change of course, I know that, but unless you can give me a verse in the New Testament that clearly says it is okay to defend ourselves (and the verse wasn't taken out of context), I'm not going to be able to believe it.

Tell me where in the New Testament say that a christian must allow horrible acts to be committed against them such as rape and murder, it doesn't. There is a huge difference between a slap on the cheek which is more of an insult than being murdered. Show me in the New Testament how it is Christ like to just let it happen yo someone else.

 

[DavidaAC]

Tell me where in the New Testament say that a christian must allow horrible acts to be committed against them such as rape and murder, it doesn't. There is a huge difference between a slap on the cheek which is more of an insult than being murdered. Show me in the New Testament how it is Christ like to just let it happen yo someone else.

I don't want to argue with you, but I will say that it says that love does no harm to others in Romans 13:10. That (and many other verses) tells me that I shouldn't do any harm to anyone no matter what they do. Plus, Jesus did say to love our enemies. I'd be willing to listen to another point of view, but it needs to be supported by Scripture for me to believe it.

 

[real tree]

I don't want to argue with you, but I will say that it says that love does no harm to others in Romans 13:10 (the verse in my signature). That (and many other verses) tells me that I shouldn't do any harm to anyone no matter what they do. Plus, Jesus did say to love our enemies. I'd be willing to listen to another point of view, but it needs to be supported by Scripture for me to believe it.

Let me ask you this do you think that a police officer can defend ones life and take it. Would you ever rely on the police for protection if needed, or call them.

 

[Radrook]

The brother who gave me Bible studies would always say that if he saw someone being abused on the street, such as a woman being raped, an elderly person being mugged, or a child being killed, he would not interfere in any way because it was not his job to do so. He would go to a phone and call the police. Despite the calm logic involved-I always felt at that time as if that response was somehow unchristian. Funny but for some reason- I still do.

 

[381465]

Proverbs 25:26
Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

In my opinion, watching someone be attacked and not assisting is cowardly.

 

[Radrook]

Proverbs 25:26
Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

In my opinion, watching someone be attacked and not assisting is cowardly.

He was a rather small scrawny fellow. Maybe that had a lot to do with his reluctance to assist via physical intervention..

 

[SteveIndy]

If you feel that anyone should be able to what ever they want to you and you should do nothing to defend yourself go for it. There is a huge difference between between a smite on a cheek than there is being stabbed, shot, beheaded ETC. I will take precautions to protect myself and the innocent ole righteous one.

Did the Apostles have to die to fulfill prophecy?

There is a whole long history of Christian martyrs starting with Christ Himself, the Apostles, and the primitive Church who would disagree with you, but what did they know?