Self-Defense from a Christian perspective

[JohnB445]

Every state does things differently, some have duty to retreat laws, and others have stand your ground.

What is your view when it comes to self-defense?

 

[NBB]

I believe if we can defend ourselves correctly we should do it, God don't want for us to be sacrificed for some criminal, etc.
Jesus said, if thief come to the house at night, the owner would be prepared and don't let the thief rob.

 

[Lost4words]

For me, self defence is just showing my teeth...it always does the trick!

 

[Richard T]

I took the Florida concealed carry class. I like how the law there requires you to really be in danger to use a weapon. Like if you see them taking your stuff as you come back from an outing, you do not engage, you drive on and call the police. Engaging when a life is not in danger just escalates things and seems too gung ho. One should be ready though if there is a life or death issue.
I thinktoo, it is the Quakers that are pacifist. I respect such beliefs. No one can judge that. However, that level is not required. Fighting back when a life is in danger is not murder which is the word translated correctly in Mt.19:18 in the Greek.

"phoneúō; fut. phoneúsō, from phónos <G5408>, murder. To murder, kill a man unjustly (Matt. 5:21; 19:18; 23:31, 35; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Rom. 13:9; James 2:11; 4:2; 5:6). See Sept.: Ex. 20:15; Deut. 4:42; 5:17."

Complete Word Study Dictionary,

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

If violence against evil is not permitted, evil must submitted to with no exceptions.

 

[Fervent]

I believe God said "Vengeance is mine."

 

[Richard T]

If violence against evil is not permitted, evil must submitted to with no exceptions.

True except something where they force you to do something and you just die refusing.

 

[BPPLEE]

I believe God said "Vengeance is mine."

Self defense is not vengeance

 

[BPPLEE]

If violence against evil is not permitted, evil must submitted to with no exceptions.

Like David, Samson, Joshua, and others did?
Oh I'm sorry, they didn't submit

 

[Fervent]

Self defense is not vengeance

Oh? Seems to me the two are, at the very least, close cousins. Have Christians not already given up their lives? What then is there left to defend?

 

[BPPLEE]

Oh? Seems to me the two are, at the very least, close cousins. Have Christians not already given up their lives? What then is there left to defend?

We are not Jesus. We don't have to lay down and let someone kill us

 

[Fervent]

We are not Jesus. We don't have to lay down and let someone kill us

The servant is not greater than his master.

 

[BPPLEE]

The servant is not greater than his master.

His death had a purpose. It serves no purpose for us to die at the hands of a criminal

 

[Fervent]

His death had a purpose. It serves no purpose for us to die at the hands of a criminal

Do you think God allows any evil He does not have a purpose for? Have you, or have you not, laid down your life already?

 

[BPPLEE]

Do you think God allows any evil He does not have a purpose for? Have you, or have you not, laid down your life already?

Say that when someone breaks in and rapes your wife and daughter. Would you just stand there and let it happen thinking that God has a purpose for it?

 

[Fervent]

Say that when someone breaks in rapes your wife and daughter. Would you just stand there and let it happen thinking that God has a purpose for it?

Probably not in the moment, but my emotional response doesn't determine the ethics of the situation. I seem to recall "Do not repay evil for evil, instead overcome evil by doing good." and "Do not resist an evil person, if anyone slaps you on the cheek turn to him the other."

 

[BPPLEE]

Probably not in the moment, but my emotional response doesn't determine the ethics of the situation. I seem to recall "Do not repay evil for evil, instead overcome evil by doing good." and "Do not resist an evil person, if anyone slaps you on the cheek turn to him the other."

No one ever died from a slap. It's a sign of disrespect, your life is not endangered by it.
Do not repay evil for evil. It's not evil to defend yourself.

 

[Fervent]

No one ever died from a slap. It's a sign of disrespect, your life is not endangered by it.
Do not repay evil for evil. It's not evil to defend yourself.

Violence in all forms is evil, and "do not resist an evil person" isn't qualified with anything indicating that there's a point that resistance should be offered. So it doesn't matter if its an insult or life threatening, Jesus said not to resist.

 

[BPPLEE]

Violence in all forms is evil, and "do not resist an evil person" isn't qualified with anything indicating that there's a point that resistance should be offered. So it doesn't matter if its an insult or life threatening, Jesus said not to resist.

Jesus also told the disciples to sell their tunics and buy a sword

 

[Fervent]

Jesus also told the disciples to sell their tunics and buy a sword

I suppose if you're not worried about context that might sound like he was telling them to engage in violence, but the fact that his response to them saying they had two swords among them was "that is enough." indicates that it wasn't some kind of call to violence.