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Is it “Christian” to Defend Oneself?

I think people fundamentally misunderstand much of the nature of Christianity; especially when it comes to combining faith and political activism. The difference is found in the nature of behavior and separating what one does from what one is. What does it mean to “love one’s enemy?”

The “Love the sinner, hate the sin” argument is valid at all times. It’s easy if the sinner is neutral towards you or actively pursuing Christ. It gets dicier if the sinner is your enemy and actively pursuing your destruction. There’s a difference between sinners and enemies. Self defense is not ungodly or immoral. Neither is meeting an attack with superior force of the same kind in order to defeat your enemy.

Queen Esther saved the Jews from an evilly obtained government mandated destruction by righteously obtaining a separate government mandate to meet force with force. Esther’s “granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.”

Examples of godly men opposing their enemies are found across the Scriptures. David, Joshua and Moses all come to mind. Others opposed godless government edicts at great personal risk; the first to “speak truth to power.”Remember the back story of Daniel and the lion’s den? Remember the back story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and the fiery furnace?

It’s true that at times, God has instructed one of His children to surrender His right to self-defense as part of a greater strategy. I know of testimonies of exactly that. However, this is a specific request for sacrifice and surrender of a right from an individual, not the building of churchwide doctrine on how to deal with enemies.

Consistent biblical doctrine is that, whether they be individuals or nations, the right to defend oneself from enemies exists and is not sin. Sin enters when our motivation ceases to be love of the life God gave us and becomes hatred of the one trying to take it from us. Sin enters when we name the motivation and character of our enemy. We cannot call our enemies evil men. We can only call their actions evil. The man trying to kill me is acting evilly. But he may not be evil; he may simply be deceived.

Such is the nature of our struggle against our Islamic enemies, for example. Only God knows the heart and may accurately judge it. For us to do so is sin. But their threat is no less real for all their deception. And it may be met with godly force and destruction, even on a massive scale if that is what is needed to defend oneself. Evil or deceived in motivation is irrelevant. Trying to kill me is an evil act regardless. I may oppose it and be on the side of righteousness. This is true if the attack is an armor assault or just a blog post.

Doing so isn’t seeking revenge; it is self defense! Doing so doesn’t violate being at peace with all men as much as is dependent on us; we are reacting, not acting. Doing so doesn’t mean we are not praying for and serving our enemies; US military hospitals routinely treat wounded Taliban. Doing so is not repaying evil with evil, it is, in fact, overcoming evil with good. Some forget such overcoming is not theoretical or hypothetical or, worse, spiritual. The overcoming is often dirty, brutal and deadly in the very real world.

The difference is found in the “Why?” and not the “What?”  The difference is found in who starts a fight and who ends it. Fighting back against enemies is not just godly, it’s required. The danger is in becoming what we are fighting. For Christians, that is the struggle. To destroy the works of the devil; the lies, killing and destruction – while remaining pure in heart and peacemakers. No one said it was easy; just that it needed to be done.

Be angry – sin not. Fight your enemy – don’t become him. Do not repay evil for evil. Overcome evil with good. But be angry at evil behavior; fight, and; overcome. The alternative is unthinkable.

COMMENTS

  • Bill S

    And I never used “love the sinner, hate the sin” (which is a phrase I personally dislike because of its misuse). What I wrote about had to do with purity of heart and the need to avoid vengeful and hateful behavior and attitude.

    I believe in just war. I believe in self defense. I am not a pacifist. This is about maintaining a Christlike heart and relying on God and the civil authorities for justice. I have no problem in condemning wrong and evil behavior. I do have a big problem with actions such as bombing abortion clinics or similar acts of vigilantism. There are extreme cases where the government is conducting such heinous acts against humanity that it could require an extreme response. Bonhoeffer’s participation in the plot to kill Adolf Hitler is a notable example of this. But we aren’t anywhere in the same universe as that situation was, and despite the screechings of the Alex Jones types, i am quite sure we aren’t gonna get there.

    Your second-to-last paragraph is precisely the point I was making. The rest really has no bearing on what I wrote, although it may apply to some of the comments/commenters.

  • Viet71

    Al Gore, because he touts global warming? I’ll buy that; but I want to fight him with ideas, not with a sword.

    The guy who is physically threatening me or my daughter? You bet. Self-defense (in most states).

    The Dkos Leftist who thinks all RS posters are nazis? Hardly. The person is a cipher, not an enemy.

    Need to be clear about the meaning of “enemy”. And about what it means to fight against an enemy. The brush strokes get a little broad here on RS at times.

  • acat

    The DKos Leftist who thinks all of us are nazis is not an enemy, but he (or she) is a tool, waiting to be used by our enemies.

    They’ve already decided – and have marinated in the idea – that we are their enemy, that we are nazis or other boogeymen, that we deserve death or worse.

    So no, the Dkos Leftist is not our enemy .. but those who keep them unthinkingly sucking down hate absolutely are.

    Mew

  • http://bluecollarmuse.com Blue_Collar_Muse

    The problem for me has always been a reluctance to rightly apply it to those who, by their actions, have earned the title.

    The criteria by which I judge them to be my enemy is not the extent to which they are successful at articulating their opposition to me. Rather it is the extent to which they oppose what I stand for.

    Thus, the DKos Leftist who thinks us all Nazis is an enemy. Not because he is articulate or accurate in his criticism of us. But because he is clearly opposed to sound policy and responsible governance.

    Indeed, those folks are the worst enemy we have. It’s not an overwhelming majority of articulate and active Progressives that have given us the federal nightmare we currently have. Rather, it’t the thoughtless, lazy, flawed thinking Progressives who sheeple along and vote for more stuff for everyone without really knowing the issues or what’s at stake who not only voted us into this mess but vote to keep us there.

    That’s not painting with a broad brush, that’s painting a broad panorama of reality with a fine pointed brush.

  • Mike Ferguson

    Recommended

  • http://bluecollarmuse.com Blue_Collar_Muse

    Because your third to last paragraph is filled with New Testament quotes routinely used to suggest non-resistance is the valid Christian approach.

    As a Christian activist, I am committed to opposing and confronting evil wherever and however it presents itself. This includes political and military battlefields.

    It also includes going on the offensive against ideologies which, frankly, are not just wrong, but dangerous.

    That I do so in the same arena as the attack comes does not make my actions sinful or unrighteous. That is the feel of your quotes.

    In reality, as long as my actions are not in and of themselves immoral, what makes them righteous or not is my heart and not the actions.

    I appreciate that we agree on this matter. I would have preferred for you to have stated your case in a stronger fashion. However, I also understand you were likely responding to the conviction in your heart from our common Lord that you were in danger of crossing that line.

    When such things happen to me, I often immediately respond from the place about which I was warned and not from the place where I should be. As we also both share a public recounting of our experiences, it can make for some interesting exchanges.

    Nonetheless, iron sharpens iron.

    Thanks for your thoughts and insight …

  • mikeymike143

    and i could post about 20 bible verses to back that statement up.

  • Raven

    “Let he who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.”

    This was one of the instructions Jesus gave the Disciples at the Last Supper.

  • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

    For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (ESV)

  • CincoSolas_del_Bronx

    By not following the basic hermeneutical principle of contextualization you have committed the common, but nevertheless dangerous, error of transforming a biblical command intended for a single historical moment into a timeless truth intended for general application. Why not rather say, as the Lord is quoted verses earlier, that everyone should relieve his neighbor of their donkey and colt, saying “The Lord needs them”? No doubt that is some Marxist’s life verse.

    The context here not only forbids your interpretation, it flatly contradicts it! That context, which you read as a handy prooftext for applications of the Second Amendment, is the exponential crescendo of pace and brilliance of all prophecy culminating in the once-for-all propitiatory sacrifice of the Lamb of God. All prophecy must be fulfilled–and one of the few outstanding was that “he was numbered with the transgressors”. Not the righteous, as you so carelessly assume, but the transgressors–not only on account of original sin, but of actual unjustified rebellion against the civil authorities. That much is clear when the swords are unsheathed later that night on the edge of the garden, for Peter is not praised by Jesus for his courage, but rather, as was the familiar pattern between them, rebuked for his misplaced zeal.

    As with so much of the dismal exegesis and application that came to light in response to Bill’s recent piece, Raven, you have fallen into the trap–which the disciples repeatedly fell into as well–of not distinguishing the change of regime inaugurated in the New Covenant. Calvin states it better than I ever could:

    It was truly shameful and stupid ignorance, that the disciples, after having been so often informed about bearing the cross, imagine that they must fight with swords of iron. (on Luke 22)
    :
    Matthew 26:51 … it is again evident, that we are much more courageous and ready for fighting than for bearing the cross; and, therefore, we ought always to deliberate wisely what the Lord commands, and what he requires from every one of us, lest the fervor of our zeal exceed the bounds of reason and moderation. When the disciples asked Christ, Shall we strike with the sword? they did so, not with the intention of obeying his injunction; but by these words they declared that they were prepared and ready to repel the violence of enemies. And, indeed, Peter did not wait till he was commanded or permitted to strike, but inconsiderately proceeded to unlawful violence. It appears, at first view, to be praiseworthy valor in the disciples, that, forgetting their own weakness, though they are unable to make resistance, they do not hesitate to present their bodies before their Master, and to encounter certain death; for they choose rather to perish with the Lord than to survive and look on while he is oppressed. But as they improperly attempt more than the calling of God commands or permits, their rashness is justly condemned; and therefore let us learn, that in order that our obedience may be acceptable to the Lord, we must depend on his will, so that no man shall move a finger, except so far as God commands

    52. Put thy sword again into its place. By these words, Christ confirms the precept of the Law, which forbids private individuals to use the sword. And above all, we ought to attend to the threatening of punishment which is immediately added; for men did not, at their own pleasure, appoint this punishment for avenging their own blood; but God himself, by severely prohibiting murder, has declared how dearly he loves mankind. First, then, he does not choose to be defended by force and violence, because God in the Law forbade men to strike. This is a general reason; and he immediately descends to a special reason.

    But here a question arises. Is it never lawful to use violence in repelling unjust violence? For though Peter had to deal with wicked and base robbers, still he is condemned for having drawn his sword. If, in such a case of moderate defense, an exception was not allowed, Christ appears to tie up the hands of all. Though we have treated this question more copiously under Matthew 5:39, yet I shall now state my opinion again in a few words. First, we must make a distinction between a civil court and the court of conscience; for if any man resist a robber, he will not be liable to public punishment, because the laws arm him against one who is the common enemy of mankind. Thus, in every case when defense is made against unjust violence, the punishment which God enjoins earthly judges to carry into execution ceases. And yet it is not the mere goodness of the cause that acquits the conscience from guilt, unless there be also pure affection. So then, in order that a man may properly and lawfully defend himself, he must first lay aside excessive wrath, and hatred, and desire of revenge, and all irregular sallies of passion, that nothing tempestuous may mingle with the defense. As this is of rare occurrence, or rather, as it scarcely ever happens, Christ properly reminds his people of the general rule, that they should entirely abstain from using the sword.
    :
    53. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father? Now follows that special reason which I mentioned a little ago; for Christ reminds them, that he would have at his command a better and more legitimate kind of defense, were it not that he must obey the decree of the Father. The substance of what he says is this. “As he has been appointed by the eternal purpose of God to be a sacrifice, and as this has been declared by the predictions of Scripture, he must not fight against it.” Thus Peter’s rashness is condemned on another ground, that he not only endeavors to overturn a heavenly decree, but also to obstruct the path of the redemption of mankind. Not only did Peter draw his sword unlawfully, but the disciples were foolish and mad; for–though they were few in number, and feeble–they attempted to make some resistance to a band of soldiers and a very great multitude. On this account, the Lord, in order to make their folly more manifest, employs this comparison. “If he wished to have a guard to defend his life, he would immediately obtain not eleven angels, but a large and invincible army, and since he does not implore that angels may be sent to assist him, much less would he resort to ill-considered means, from which no advantage was to be expected; for the utmost that could be effected by the disciples would be of no more service than if a few rooks were to make a noise.”
    :
    …from this we draw a useful doctrine, that those who resort to unlawful means on the plea of necessity pour dishonor on God. If a man is destitute of lawful aid and support, he runs headlong to wicked schemes and sinful undertakings; and the reason is, that few look for the secret protection of God, which alone ought to be sufficient to set our minds at rest. Are we threatened with danger? Because no remedy can be discovered according to the flesh, we make this or the other contrivance, as if there were no angels in heaven, who–Scripture frequently tells us–are placed as guardians for our salvation, (Hebrews 1:14.) In this way we deprive ourselves of their assistance; for all who are impelled, by their restlessness and excessive anxiety, to stretch out their hands to forbidden remedies for evils, do unquestionably renounce the providence of God.
    (on Matthew 26)

  • http://bluecollarmuse.com Blue_Collar_Muse

    making counterfeit “accidental shooting” phone calls while Erick’s family is sitting down for dinner, I’ll be happy to deal with them.

    The problem is not the truth of the verses you very appropriately list. The problem is that, just as the Holy Spirit works out His will in the earth through people, those evil spirits do the same.

    Our struggle may be against them ultimately. But the tools they employ are quite carnal and worldly. So I’ll stay on my knees to fight the first and stay on my guard to fight the second.

    No contradiction – nothing to see – move along … And that whole “Sell your cloak and buy a sword!” thing??? Sound advice …

  • rtalamo

    ?The Bible is clear here: I am to love my neighbor as myself, in the manner needed, in a practical way, in the midst of the fallen world, at my particular point of history. This is why I am not a pacifist. Pacifism in this poor world in which we live — this lost world — means that we desert the people who need our greatest help.?
    ? Francis A. Schaeffer

    As mentioned above, I protect my family. To NOT do so makes me an infidel. (look it up in the Bible.), and if I am not there to protect my family, who will? Yes, I understand completely about guardian angels and the Hand of God intervening, and this IS my preferred “defense!” And I do pray often that a “self-defense” situation never occurs, but if it does that God would intervene in any way He desires! If not, then the command to protect and provide for my family, city, state, country, goes into effect, along with Smith and Wesson 1:1 – “Thou Shalt not attack the Lord’s family.”

    To quote Bill S:
    I believe in just war. I believe in self defense. I am not a pacifist. This is about maintaining a Christlike heart and relying on God and the civil authorities for justice. I have no problem in condemning wrong and evil behavior. I do have a big problem with actions such as bombing abortion clinics or similar acts of vigilantism. There are extreme cases where the government is conducting such heinous acts against humanity that it could require an extreme response. Bonhoeffer?s participation in the plot to kill Adolf Hitler is a notable example of this…

    …But we aren?t anywhere in the same universe as that situation was, and despite the screechings of the Alex Jones types, i am quite sure we aren?t gonna get there.”

    I pray we won’t, but after reading Revelation, Daniel, Thessalonians, etc., it will be as bad as Hitler someday…actually, much much worse.

    And if not Raptured prior to that event (giving a nod to mid and post trib believers), I will go down fighting before I take the mark, get a chip implanted or bow before any King but Jesus. I’m a Texan, and I remember the Alamo.

    …leaving pulpit…

  • Viet71

    Question: Did Jesus wield a sword? The words of the Bible to me are more powerful than any sword — and I’m a frigging non-believer, although I’m getting closer.

  • Raven

    Merely directed us to do so wisely and in accordance with the law.

    I am well aware of the context. You, however, are not even reading what you write.

  • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

    ?You have heard that it was said, ?You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.? But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matt 3:43-48 ESV)

  • westcoastpatriette

    Just wonderin’?

  • Viet71

    n/t

  • westcoastpatriette

    non-believer, although, you were getting closer (to becoming a Christian I presume.) So, I wondered what you were waiting for in terms of accepting Christ? Don’t have to answer, I was just curious.