Is it permissible for a Christian to use lethal force to protect himself, others, or his state?

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Is it permissible for a Christian to use lethal force to protect himself, others, or his state?

  • Yes

    Votes: 19 76.0%
  • No

    Votes: 5 20.0%
  • I don't know

    Votes: 1 4.0%

  • Total voters
    25

UnitedWithChrist

Well-known member
Aug 12, 2019
3,739
1,928
113
#1
OK, so this is an issue I seriously struggle with.

Some think that our country could be involved in a civil war in the near future due to leftist groups like Black Lives Matter.

I own a firearm and carry one regularly in a pocket holster. I am not personally concerned with my safety, but in the current environment, I could be present when someone else's life, especially a police officer, is in danger and I might be able to help.

So, the question is, from a biblical standpoint, do you think it is acceptable to use lethal force to protect yourself or others?

I see no New Testament permission to do this, however, in Hebrews 11, these verses indicates that it could be the action of a faithful person:

Hebrews 11:32-34 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Additionally, I fully support the right of the government to inflict punishment upon the wicked in society (Rom 13).

Several sound teachers have said that it is permissible to use lethal force in protection of self and family if innocent lives would be spared by taking the life of the person. However, it is not permissible to kill someone in order to avoid martyrdom.

Any thoughts?

I don't really know which one I would choose, but my guess is that if it came down to a matter of saving innocent lives, I would shoot an aggressor. I mean, I am carrying a gun regularly already. However, I don't think it would be an easy decision to make.

Chances are this decision would not come about for me, because I don't really care to be traveling in larger, leftist-leaning states.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,248
25,719
113
#2
It is possible to shoot and disarm a person without killing them, is it not?
 

MendedSoul

Well-known member
Sep 10, 2019
430
289
63
#3
OK, so this is an issue I seriously struggle with.

Some think that our country could be involved in a civil war in the near future due to leftist groups like Black Lives Matter.

I own a firearm and carry one regularly in a pocket holster. I am not personally concerned with my safety, but in the current environment, I could be present when someone else's life, especially a police officer, is in danger and I might be able to help.

So, the question is, from a biblical standpoint, do you think it is acceptable to use lethal force to protect yourself or others?

I see no New Testament permission to do this, however, in Hebrews 11, these verses indicates that it could be the action of a faithful person:

Hebrews 11:32-34 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Additionally, I fully support the right of the government to inflict punishment upon the wicked in society (Rom 13).

Several sound teachers have said that it is permissible to use lethal force in protection of self and family if innocent lives would be spared by taking the life of the person. However, it is not permissible to kill someone in order to avoid martyrdom.

Any thoughts?

I don't really know which one I would choose, but my guess is that if it came down to a matter of saving innocent lives, I would shoot an aggressor. I mean, I am carrying a gun regularly already. However, I don't think it would be an easy decision to make.

Chances are this decision would not come about for me, because I don't really care to be traveling in larger, leftist-leaning states.
I believe every Christian has a right to protect themselves and others in the act of self defense. In the home, at church etc. and only as a last resort.
 
D

DWR

Guest
#4
YES
 
D

DWR

Guest
#5
It is possible to shoot and disarm a person without killing them, is it not?
Possible, yes, but not probable.
In the excitement, most would totally miss the target if more than five feet away.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,555
13,320
113
#6
I have the freedom to do anything, but not everything is helpful. I have the freedom to do anything, but I won’t be controlled by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12, CEB)
 

preacher4truth

Senior Member
Dec 28, 2016
9,171
2,718
113
#7
If it is OK and good to retrieve an animal from a pit on the Sabbath, Matthew 12:11, it is OK and good to save a person made in the image of God from murder or rape by the hands of another.
 
Feb 29, 2020
1,563
571
113
#8
Is it permissible for a Christian to use lethal force to protect himself, others, or his state?

If a Christian is in a position of authority (law enforcement) it is his duty to use lethal force when it is warranted.

But otherwise, I think it best to live by these scriptural principles:

Matthew 26:52
[52] ...all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Matthew 5:39
[39] But I say unto you, Do not resist evil: but whosoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.

1 Peter 3:13-14
[13] And who is he that will harm you, if you are followers of that which is good? [14] But and if you suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed: and do not be afraid of their terror, neither be troubled...

Ultimately, in circumstances that do not seem to have scriptural guidance, exercise yourself according to your conscience towards God.
 

FlyingDove

Senior Member
Dec 27, 2017
1,259
431
83
#9
Short answer: YES!

Love your brother as yourself. If you were on the receiving end of a unwarrented life threating beatdown. Being commited by a large mob of lawless thugs. Would you want help (I know I would)?

I watched the truck driver during the Rodney King riots. A large crowd stood in front of his tractor trailer (the guy was just trying to make a living). He could have mowed down ALL of them.

He stopped, they pulled him out of his truck & 8 to 10 men took turns stomping a mudhole in him. I believe anyone with the ability to save this law abiding citizens life. Should help him, to include the use of lethal force if need be.

Rodney King being used as a pinyata was reprehensible & immoral. And the thug cops that beat him should have been held acountable to the fullest extent of the law.

Post is my opinion only. FD
 

Laish

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2016
1,666
448
83
57
#10
It is possible to shoot and disarm a person without killing them, is it not?
No insult . It’s not that easy . Generally if folks are in a life and death situation your going to have just a seconds it’s has to be center mass . Shooting for a leg or arm increases the likelihood you will miss . If you miss does the bad guy move in and take your weapon , Does the stray bullet hit your spouse or child instead ? Here are some stats that shooting to wound is not the best . Trained police officers only hit there mark 30% in situations where it’s life or death soldiers in the battlefield it’s under 20% . That’s why they shoot multiple rounds . Also the decision to shoot is usually under 2 seconds . Over 20 % of police officers that hesitated in life or death situations Had to resort to hand to hand when the perp moved up on them .
Blessings
Bill
 
May 31, 2020
1,706
1,559
113
#11
Yes. Next question.
 
C

cuz

Guest
#12
Luke 3 King James Version (KJV)
14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages
 
Nov 23, 2013
13,684
1,212
113
#13
Luke 3 King James Version (KJV)
14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages
I wonder if doing violence would include hitting a guy with a two by four who was trying to rape his daughter. Seriously, that’s the question I’m asking my own self.
 
C

cuz

Guest
#15
rev 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

where is the army of the first christians ?

rom 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
 
Aug 14, 2019
1,374
307
83
#16
It would be a sin not to protect family and neighbor from lethal harm in any way necessary.
 
C

cuz

Guest
#17
So was the first church sinning ?
From my understanding they didnt fight back only hid
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,097
6,480
113
#18
Regarding the question posed in the Title of this Thread:

Yes.
 

AndyMaleh

Well-known member
Jun 26, 2020
863
531
93
43
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
#19
So was the first church sinning ?
From my understanding they didnt fight back only hid
You're not supposed to fight back if it's not God's will. How do you know if it's God's will or not? Did he give you the power to fight back or is he testing your patience and resolve instead by turning the other cheek? They didn't have the power to fight back. They weren't supposed to. It wasn't God's plan for them. Fighting back when you don't have the power can be very idiotic. It's akin of rebelling against God.

FYI, I don't see everybody's vote in the poll above! (I think it's imprecise given the answers)
 
C

cuz

Guest
#20
You're not supposed to fight back if it's not God's will. How do you know if it's God's will or not? Did he give you the power to fight back or is he testing your patience and resolve instead by turning the other cheek? They didn't have the power to fight back. They weren't supposed to. It wasn't God's plan for them. Fighting back when you don't have the power can be very idiotic. It's akin of rebelling against God.

How many Times in the old testament did Israel go to war and the odds against them David and Goliath Samson and the mules jawbone and many more David and the lion Daniel and the lions
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
thrown into a fire pit