Sometimes It's Permissible...

[Jermyn Davidson]

to kill.

Are there any other situations where "right" is relative?

Maybe you believe that "right" is never relative. Is that you?

[rgcraig]

I believe if someone breaks into your home and your family is in danger that you have a right to protect yourself.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I believe if someone breaks into your home and your family is in danger that you have a right to protect yourself.

I do too, but I am not sure I'd really kill solely over protection of personal property.


Remember the old guy in Texas who killed the burglars who broke into his neighbor's home? No one was home. He was advised by the 911 operator not to shoot the burglar, but he did it anyway.

That man literally got away with murder.

Was this "right"?

[Evang.Benincasa]

A Christian doesn't have recourse that would allow him to defend himself or his personal property with the use of deadly force.

Sister Renda, have you ever been awakened by burglar?

Can you estimate how fast you can wake out of a dead sleep and stop an attacker?

I think you would do better to say your prayers before you bed down for the night.

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

to kill.

Are there any other situations where "right" is relative?

Maybe you believe that "right" is never relative. Is that you?

I don't think my "right" should bring harm to anyone. And I am not talking about killing someone. In that I mean if what I am claiming is my "right" hurts someone else it's not always right.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Cindy

I don't think my "right" should bring harm to anyone. And I am not talking about killing someone. In that I mean if what I am claiming is my "right" hurts someone else it's not always right.

Cindy,

Can you give a specific example of this?

Outside of the killing vs murder related discussion, is there anyone that can think of another situation where "right" is relative?


Or maybe you are of the mindset that "right" is never relative.
If you are, I'd like to read your thoughts too.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Cindy,

Can you give a specific example of this?

Outside of the killing vs murder related discussion, is there anyone that can think of another situation where "right" is relative?


Or maybe you are of the mindset that "right" is never relative.
If you are, I'd like to read your thoughts too.

I have a right to pursue happiness. If within that I choose to do something that hurts my family. It is not right.

[vrblackwell]

I think if you are serving your country in the military or in law enforcement. If you are protecting yourself or family.

God uses people to carry out justice on the wicked.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by vrblackwell

I think if you are serving your country in the military or in law enforcement. If you are protecting yourself or family.

God uses people to carry out justice on the wicked.

Where did the apostles or the early church defend themselves against the Jews by using deadly force?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Where did the apostles or the early church defend themselves against the Jews by using deadly force?

Never that I can remember.

Many don't study early Christian history. Early Christians wouldn't fight in the Roman army and for that reason many Roman soldiers who became Christian were tried for treason and executed when they wouldn't kill for the Roman state. Early Christians never acted in violence against any enemy. What moved many in the Roman Empire was just peaceful Christian citizens were. There wasn't any real dirt on them. They wouldn't harm or kill, even if it was in the best interest of their own survival. They truly believed in the Gospel of Peace.

Christians have several options of self defense on the table:

-martyrdom (Sharing the Gospel to one's attacker and dying peaceably as a witness if necessary.)

-divine intervention (Allowing God to intervene and deliver one from danger.)

-ruse (Tricking and escaping from one's attacker.)

-nonlethal violence (Subduing one's attacker in a non-lethal manner or using non-lethal measures to harm an attacker to facilitate escape.)

-moral disarming (This includes such things as showing respect, showing love, or asserting moral authority, which often so affect the attacker that he changes his mind.)

For some reason, in our minds we jump to the idea of using lethal force. The use of lethal force is actually unnecessary in the vast majority of situations. I'm no dove however, don't break into my home if you value your knee-caps.