"As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." (Proverbs 27:17)
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approachable
Joined: 21 Dec 2007
Posts: 8
Location: Dayton, Ohio
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 Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:31 pm Post subject: The Christian and Self-Defense |
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Hello,
You know, I've been thinking for a while about the Christian and self-defense. What I mean is, do you think that when a Christian stands for the truth, and it ends with someone getting angry and possibly lead to a physical attack, that the Christian has a right to fight back physically? I look at Jesus sufferings (Matthew 26:67), Paul the apostle's suffering (2 Corinthians 11:23-28), and Stephen, the first Christian martyr's suffering (Acts 7:54-60), and then I ask, "are these supposed to be bore the same way today"? You know that enduring physical attack is something we rarely see today (of course because of our law in this country toward freedom of religion).
So, are there any thoughts on this? The only thing I can think of now is that if I see that someone around me is in real physical danger, then I will probably fight for them, and pray that I didn't go to far. But, as far as it happening to me "personally", I haven't come to a complete conclusion as to whether God will hold me accountable.
Thank you, again..... |
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m273p15c
Joined: 28 Sep 1999
Posts: 500
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 10:35 pm Post subject: 2 cents, and arguably less :-) |
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Hi,
This is a very good question. I have known good people on both sides of this question. Personally, this is still a troubling question to me also. For the little it's worth, I'll offer my current thoughts:
As I see it, there are 3 related questions. At least 1 of these belong in another thread:- Does the Christian have the right to defend himself, his family, etc. during a social attack? (Example, a murder breaks into your house at night to do harm to you and your family.)
- Does the Christian have the right to defend himself physically to persecution? (Example, someone attacks you because you are a Christian.)
- Does the Christian have the right to serve as a solider and go to war?
I believe question #2 is the only one you are asking; however, my answer to question #1 influences it.
I believe the Christian has the right to defend himself from social, physical attacks (mugging, murder, molestation, etc.) up to a point. Please consider this verse from the Old Testament:
| Moses wrote: | | "If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. (Exodus 22:2-3) |
Admittedly, this is a regulation of the Old Testament, so it may offer some complications; however, I think it illustrates a principle that transcends both covenants. If someone is killed while trying to perpetrate evil that jeopardizes the life of an innocent, then the defender is guiltless. This necessarily means he can defend himself. ... I think it transcends both covenants, since both covenants admonish trust in the Lord and denounce rebellion against the authorities (Ezra 8:21-23; Acts 23:1-5). Therefore, such actions would not conflict with commands to trust in the Lord found in the New Testament, since they did not conflict with similar commands in the Old Testament.
Furthermore, do we not have a responsibility to discourage evil, wherever we have opportunity? How can we love someone, if we offer no resistance to his evil intentions, where we alone have opportunity to deter him?
However, going back to Exodus 22:3, we should not exploit the defense as an opportunity to extract vengeance. If opportunity permits us to spare his life while stopping him, then we are never to seek vengeance or the fruit of wrath (Romans 12:18-19). To kill someone in defense (preventing an evil consequence) is not the same as killing for vengeance (repaying for an evil consequence).
Now in regards to spiritual persecution, suffering as a Christian, I understand that we are not to struggle against the authorities, be they master or king (I Peter 2:13-23; 4:12-19; Romans 13:1-7). However, we do have the right to evade persecution, if possible, even from governments (Acts 9:23-25; II Corinthians 11:32-33). And, we have the right to take advantage of every legal opportunity to resist persecution (Acts 22:24-30; 25:6-12). But, we do not have any right to fight or retaliate physically.
I will stop here, because I have many questions still myself, but I offer these as a starting point.
_________________
May God help us to love truth sincerely and supremely (II Thessalonians 2:11-12) |
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