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Christians? Using self-defense and Guns?

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LovethroughDove said:
What are others thoughts on this...........please use Scripture
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Certainly not an easy subject, and I lean towards Pacifism, though I think it's hard to argue against the idea of not defending others.

For instance, say your house was invaded by a man who had the intent to attack and possibly kill you and your family. Would the Christian simply choose to let him and his family die at the hands of this stranger for the sake of peaceful ideals? Or is it an expression of love to put oneself at risk at the defense of others against an evil intruder?

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 (ESV)

I don't think self-defense is justified and necessary in every scenario. If one is attacked for being a Christian, and is persecuted for their faith, this is perhaps the clearest instance of when to not retaliate with force. Even one could say that if you are robbed in the street, that Jesus' commands demand a different response, that you should not use force but even offer them more.

I suppose the line is this, when should you love your enemies by not retaliating with violence, and when is it necessary to demonstrate love for friends and family by defending them. Certainly God has seen violence as a necessary act, though he hates it, as throughout the Old Testament it was necessary for Israel to go to war. However, the idea of an eye for an eye is gone with the coming of God's Kingdom inaugurated by Jesus, and we aren't a nation like Israel so the circumstances are different. What that does reveal though is that 100% of scenarios don't exclude the idea of violence.
 
Doulos Iesou said:
For instance, say your house was invaded by a man who had the intent to attack and possibly kill you and your family. Would the Christian simply choose to let him and his family die at the hands of this stranger for the sake of peaceful ideals? Or is it an expression of love to put oneself at risk at the defense of others against an evil intruder?

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 (ESV)
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I think that is the whole point of Christ though.....peaceful ideals.
Doulos Iesou said:
However, the idea of an eye for an eye is gone with the coming of God's Kingdom inaugurated by Jesus,
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I agree. Matthew 5:38-39 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist and evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
 
Hi Regina ~ I would like to post the entire passage, cause I think it expresses God's purpose

Proverbs 24:11-12 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?
 
LovethroughDove said:
Hi Regina ~ I would like to post the entire passage, cause I think it expresses God's purpose

Proverbs 24:11-12 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?
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This is an interesting text, but I don't think it speaks to self-defense. This could just as easily be about withholding information when someone is wrongfully convicted. Though it could potentially be about self-defense with the referencing to God who guards your life.
 
Doulos Iesou said:
This is an interesting text, but I don't think it speaks to self-defense. This could just as easily be about withholding information when someone is wrongfully convicted. Though it could potentially be about self-defense with the referencing to God who guards your life.
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I read it as God watches over us, even if we are in the middle of getting tortured and killed...... "He" will repay with his justice. And the people being led towards slaughter are those who don't trust in God wholly.
 
LovethroughDove said:
I read it as God watches over us, even if we are in the middle of getting tortured and killed...... "He" will repay with his justice. And the people being led towards slaughter are those who don't trust in God wholly.
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In the text, we are not the ones who are being led away to death, but rather it says for us to rescue these people. And that if we say "we don't know anything about this," while the text infers that we do, then God perceives our heart. He will hold us accountable.
 
Doulos Iesou said:
In the text, we are not the ones who are being led away to death, but rather it says for us to rescue these people. And that if we say "we don't know anything about this," while the text infers that we do, then God perceives our heart. He will hold us accountable.
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John 3:6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

No, because we are not to kill. It is all Spiritual matters if you have been born again.
 
LovethroughDove said:
John 3:6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

No, because we are not to kill. It is all Spiritual matters if you have been born again.
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The Bible never says we are "not to kill". The commandment is "you shall not murder". Self defense is not murder. God gave governments the authority to kill criminals.
 
FreeGrace said:
The Bible never says we are "not to kill". The commandment is "you shall not murder". Self defense is not murder. God gave governments the authority to kill criminals.
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1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

I don't think Jesus used self-defense, nor would he.
 
LovethroughDove said:
1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

I don't think Jesus used self-defense, nor would he.
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Jesus did not stand by while his Father's house was desecrated, he drove them out. Would you say it would be wrong to drive thieves out of our own homes if they were to break in?
 
You want me to say that I will hurt them. Not gonna do it. If they were hell-bent on hurting someone, it will be me. Peacemakers will inherit the kingdom.
 
LTD have you ever been in a life threatening position ... say with bad guys kicking in the door?

A locked door is a form of self defense ... keeping ones money in a bank is a form of protecting property...

And when you are raped and murdered they can move on the the next family member or neighbour ...

Calling the law is a form of self defense...
 
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