The topic of self-defense among Christians is often met with silence, shrugs, and a general air of anxiety. It’s a tough and uncomfortable topic for many, and many more try not to consider it unless they have to. However, as Christians, our view and understanding of human life prevents us from being neutral on this crucial topic.
Is life precious, or not?
Images and descriptions of violence in the news constantly hammer us. Common are the stories of someone who goes into a school, church, or business and tragically starts to kill without discrimination. We are met with the sin and depravity of man genuinely, and so we buy the lie that pacifism and disarming ourselves is the only way to keep the peace and stop violence generally. Our own protection and that of our family can be left to the authorities since that’s their job, not ours. After all, that’s what the experts tell us.
But what does Scripture tell us?
There are certain verses commonly brought up to argue against self-defense.
Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be sons of God. – Matthew 5:9
But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. – Matthew 5:39
Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.“ Matthew 26:52
But is pacifism really what God commands of us in His word? In the face of violence are we commanded to just “stand there and take it?” Are we supposed to be pacifists? Is there ever a time when violence is justifiable?
The Value of Life
I was 25 years old when I found out my wife was pregnant with our first child. The new reality of a family and having a precious child fueled an intense desire to protect what God had given me. I had grown up in the South, and half of my life at that point had been spent around firearms, so it was nothing novel for me to buy a handgun and apply for a concealed weapons permit. However, what was new was carrying this weapon with me when we went out into public. At the time, as a rather newly converted Christian, I began to fear: Is what I’m doing sinful? What if I have to defend my family and someone is killed? Will I be held guilty before God? “Thou shalt not murder,” right?
I truly believe the right to be armed is one of our most essential rights in the United States, but one that carries incredible responsibility. You become a walking prosecutor, judge, and jury. No court system has the power of an armed citizen. In the moment of a crime, you are given the power to declare someone guilty or not guilty and have the power to sentence them to death and execute the sentence on the spot. No due process, no appeal. Immediate justice. This should not be taken lightly, and no one should take on this responsibility without fully considering its weight and consequences.
As Christians, our worldview and theology are the only foundation for true justice because our God is the only perfect Judge of Creation. Only His Laws are perfect. So what does the perfect Judge say about this matter?
The Righteous Justice of God
First, it’s important to remember that In our fallen world, death is the necessary consequence of sin. For the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23. The sin of mankind is why there is death in the world, and for perfect justice to be instituted by God, death is a requirement. The clearest example is the cross, as there is no forgiveness of sins without the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22).
Second, we must recognize the preciousness of life. It may seem odd that the argument for life is an argument for self-defense, but when we see someone bent upon murder or harming others, preserving life is the chief motivation. In order the protect the lives of those people, violence must be done to stop the individual committing the act.
Biblical examples: Pharoah, Goliath, Ahab and Jezebel, Absalom, Herod, and the men in Sodom.
Third, God is not opposed to death. He is not the author of it, nor does He love death, but He does use it for His purposes, even against His own people. It is necessary to carry out His wrath and justice upon men who are stubborn and rebellious against His love, mercy, and long-suffering.
(Biblical examples: Genesis 6 and 19, Exodus 12 and 14, Numbers 16 and 21, Leviticus 10, Acts 5, and 1 Corinthians 11:27-30)
Fourth, we are called to love and do justice, according to God’s law.
…but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:24
”He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
Fifth, not all violence or killing is murder. Jesus made it clear that anger is murder of the heart (Matt. 5:21-22). We also know that it is possible to be angry and not sin (Eph. 4:26) so long as the anger is righteous anger for the things of God. Just execution is not murder. The government bears the sword to punish evil (Romans 13:4).
So what is murder? Murder is the unjust taking of a life out of anger due to passion, pride, covetousness, jealousy, or deception. All murder involves the taking of a life, but not all taking of life is murder, or else God Himself would be guilty of murder.
We can see the distinction in God’s moral law. Exodus 22:2 says that if someone is struck and killed while breaking into a man’s home, there is no bloodguilt for the man who killed him. However, Exodus 21:12-13 shows that if there is malicious intent in killing a man, one that is premeditated, that man shall die. The same verse also makes an exception for accidents, where God then provides a way of escape for the offender.
What about the New Testament? Many point to Peter trying to cut off the ear of the servant with his sword and Jesus rebuking him. Well, let’s look at the context a little closer. Why did Peter even have a sword? Was it for cutting sandwiches or opening mail? Clearly, a sword is not suitable for anything other than combat. Peter had a sword because Jesus told them to make sure they had one.
And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough. – Luke 22:35-38
This is why His response to Peter is not, “Oh no Peter! Why do you even have such a thing? Get rid of it immediately!” He doesn’t tell him to get rid of the sword, because He was the reason Peter had one. Instead, He orders him to put it back. Now is not the time nor the place for such action. Then why was Peter rebuked? This was the second time Peter had tried to stop Jesus from going to the cross (Matt. 16:23), and was yet again attempting to prevent what had already been predetermined by God (Acts 2:23). It was Peter’s lack of submission to the will of God for salvation that was the issue, not his sword.
When we see tragedies like the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, even the pagans cry out for justice. They know that there should be no hesitation in swiftly delivering it upon such evil. Life is too precious to allow someone to take it or attempt to take it without care. It is unloving to the victims of such wickedness not to protect them.
Answering Objections
Some would say, “Okay, but shouldn’t the police be the ones to defend people?” My response is first to point back to Uvalde and the consequences of that horrible scenario due to the lack of competency and communication of the government response. If you are counting on the government to save you, there are other discussions to be had.
Second, we go back to scripture. Jesus didn’t tell His disciples to rely upon the Roman soldiers to protect them. He told them, specifically men, to arm themselves for protection.
There is also a common sense, practical side of the argument. If you are involved in a violent confrontation, you are already present to be able to stop it. The police are, at best, several minutes away, and in a situation where seconds can be the difference between life or death for many, the first response should be from us if we are able. We should be willing to risk our own lives for the sake of others.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:13
“Ok, but what about being peacemakers?”
So far as it is dependent upon us, we should be at peace and keep the peace with all men. We should not be looking for violence since God’s law says if we are, we ourselves are worthy of death. However, when dealing with a depraved person looking for and intent on violence, and inevitably becomes violent, it is then our duty to restore the peace that is broken.
Sometimes removing ourselves (I.e. running away) is the best way to keep peace. Other times the best self-defense is to de-escalate a situation. However, in the case of mass shootings (where other lives than our own are at stake), there’s no opportunity for nonviolent de-escalation. Either way, to be a peacemaker you must make peace, and sometimes the only way to stop evil violence is with righteous violence.
“But shouldn’t we turn the other cheek?”
Context is key. If someone is breaking into your house late at night, or trying to rob you at the gas station, it’s probably not because they found out you’re a Christian and hate you for it, or they want to insult you (the context of Matthew 5 and Luke 6). They’re merely wicked men doing wickedness, violating the 10 Commandments, sinning against both God and man and they must be stopped.
“Shouldn’t we just ban weapons and then we won’t have to worry about self-defense anymore?”
The danger of any object is not inherent to the object, but the one using it. Cain used a rock. Jael used a hammer and a tent peg. Moses presumably used his hands. The depravity of man is such that he will find a way to shed the blood of his brother. It’s likely more have perished from the use of common items such as hands and feet, rope, kitchen knives, hammers, and other blunt objects than actual weapons. Making laws to prevent people who have no regard for laws (that is what makes them criminals after all) from having weapons only disarms those who do regard the law. You get a society where only evil men have weapons and the righteous are defenseless.
Conclusion
It’s worth reminding: obey your local laws. If weapons are banned in your area, consider moving, but don’t break the law merely because it’s “your God-given right” and “the only permit you need is the constitution.” No institution has a larger monopoly on violence than the government. Likewise, it’s your duty as a citizen to study and know your state’s laws for self-defense and standing your ground. Be wise as serpents but innocent as doves.
I do believe the issue of self-defense to be a matter of conscience. I don’t see any biblical mandate for saying you must carry a weapon and be prepared to defend yourself or others at any time or else you’re sinning. God has made each of us unique, with different physical abilities, mental abilities, temperaments, and consciences. There will be some who will read this, understand it, and believe it, but still say, “I see why self-defense is necessary, but I am sorry, I just cannot be the one to do it.” Those who admit this should be met with compassion and understanding.
Those who are strong must be sure to protect them (Romans 15:1).
