God, The Christian, and Self Defense

by Tom Russell

Yes, you can and should defend yourself!

The author wrestled mightily with this subject in his youth.  Regrettably the counsel I was offered by ministers with decades of experience ranged from uncertainty to ridiculously mistaken.  This important subject is not terribly complex if we consider it in light of God’s word and not preconceived notions concerning Christianity.  A great deal of the confusion has been produced by the translators of the King James version of the bible mistranslating Exodus 20:13 to read “Thou shalt not kill”, when the correct translation is “You shall not murder.” Murder involves the taking of human life without just cause, whereas it is recorded in the bible that many righteous men and women “killed” the wicked in defense self, their nation, or in executing justice.

By the way, deadly force is that force that may cause death or serious bodily injury. 

The Responsibility of Protecting Innocent Human Life

We see early in the biblical record God’s requirement that the righteous protect the innocent.  Note: Psalms 82:4 “Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”, and also, Proverbs 24:11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. 

In the New Testament we see that the Lord had temporarily suspended the apostle’s responsibility to provide for their physical needs, including self-defense, but at the end of His ministry, and just prior to His crucifixion He reinstitutes these duties.

“35 And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” (Lk 9:3-4) So they said, “Nothing.” 36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. 37 “For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.” 38 So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”                                                            Luke 22:35-38

The Lord is making this statement to His disciples moments before His betrayal by Judas.  He is informing His disciples that they will not enjoy the same degree of providential provision and protection after His death as they have in the past.  He is also informing them that they will have a much greater responsibility in providing for their needs and protection to the extent that they should take their money bag, knapsack, and obtain a sword so that they might protect themselves.  In this context the “sword” is a protective instrument of deadly force and served the same purpose as any defensive weapon, including firearms, today.  Some have argued that the Lord must have been speaking figuratively, but there is absolutely nothing in the passage that indicates this.

But what about the Lord’s statement “all who take the sword will perish by the sword”?

“51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, s-truck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”                                                                     Matthew 26:51-52

 The same evening the Lord gave the directive recorded by Luke (22:35-38) Judas arrived with the mob to take Jesus into custody.  Peter drew his sword and cut the ear off of Malchus, the High Priest’s servant, the Lord immediately made the statement, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”  This statement does not contradict Luke 22:35-38, for in Luke the Lord was addressing the issue of self-defense whereas this incident has to do with the sword, i.e… the martial arm, being used to prevent the execution of God’s will regarding the crucifixion of Christ.  We must remember that though the crucifixion of Jesus was carried out by evil men, it was in accordance with the will of the Father.  John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  Peter, though acting sincerely, was in reality opposing the will of God in the action he took.

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