Christianity and Self-Defense

[KravMagaSelfDefense]

I've always felt a sense of reconciliation with my self-defense experience and my faith in God, but sometimes when I hear verses such as "turn the other cheek" and "if you love this life you shall lose it," I am not so sure, the last one is a big problem for me, does it mean perhaps if my life is in danger I should let it happen so that I enter into eternity? Is there any Biblical references you guys know that justify using violence to defend oneself? I'm just no so sure where the line is drawn with the Bible's doctrine of peace.

[Canuckster1127]

There are plenty of instances in the Old Testament where violence, self-defence and even military attacks were practiced by Israel and apparently directed by God as part of His plan for preserving Israel as the people through whom Christ would come. The Old Testament is only a partial revelation and it points forward to Christ.

This is my opinion and there are different ones out there, but I think Jesus was serious about his instructions to his disciples concerning violence and he practiced what he preached in that regard. The early Church apparently thought so too. They were pacifists and took that position to the point of not resisting when they were martyred and put to death and their families too. Members of the Roman military who converted to Christ were taught to finish their enlistment and not renew their commitment.

Two things happened in history (at least two anyway) that changed this:

1. Christianity became the state religion of Rome in the 4th century and that practice of passivism had to be reversed to reconcile Christians protecting Rome.
2. The Islamic threat and wars that became known as the Crusades, required a theological response to the "Jihad" of the Muslims and it was in this context that Christian theologians began to come up with the idea of "Just War."

There's more detail to go into and as I've said, there are passionate Christians who disagree. Historically what I've said above however is pretty clear from multiple historical records. Jesus didn't advocate violence in the ushering in of the Kingdom of God. That doesn't sit well or work in the kingdom's of men. I choose to take Jesus at his word and I've come to embrace passivism and non-violence. I didn't always. Everyone needs to figure it out on their own and decide how serious Jesus was in His direct words.

[jlay]

The Christian life is often in conflict with wordly values and natural desires.

Most of the disciples instructions had to do with governmental authority. It was clear that the Way was not to be a political movement. Otherwise men could claim credit for what God was doing. In fact God broke Peter out of prison. God had promised and was delivering incredible supernatural effects for this new church.
Believers were to obey the governing authorities, except when it was in conflict with the will of God. And, yes they were faced with harsh persecution.

I don't think that self-defense is directly prohibited for the gentile church. Like Bart, I think Jesus was very serious in His instructions. However, we have different beliefs about to whom and what time those teachings were for. If someone attempts to harm you or your family with violence, I don't see a problem with defending you or your family. In fact, our governing authorities have parameters regarding such action. So, to defend one's self does not make you a rebel.