Self-Defense and the Christian: A Biblical and Theological Examination
Self-Defense and the Christian: A Biblical and Theological Examination J. Neil Daniels Introduction Few topics ignite more debate within Christian circles than the question of self-defense. Bring it up at a Bible study or a church fellowship meal, and the responses will range from impassioned pacifism to emphatic defenses of the Second Amendment. For some, the words of Christ—“turn the other cheek” and “love your enemies”—seem to settle the matter in favor of nonresistance. For others, the biblical commands to protect the weak, defend the oppressed, and uphold justice imply a moral responsibility to resist violence, even with force if necessary. The issue is not simply practical but deeply theological. How are believers to follow the Prince of Peace while living in a fallen world filled with violence and injustice? Does Christian discipleship forbid protective violence, or does it sometimes require it? This essay will explore the biblical, theological, and historical dimensions of self...