Is killing justifiable if done in self defense?

Dante · #1 11-18-2011, 02:08 AM

Under the New Testament, is killing justifiable if it is in self defense?

Jay · #2 11-18-2011, 02:20 AM

I am going to say yes, although there are many views of this topic.

Jermyn Davidson · #3 11-18-2011, 02:53 AM

The first Gentile convert was a military man.

Even if he had not killed anyone in the act of war, he had to have been complicit.

DaveC519 · #4 11-18-2011, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dante

Under the New Testament, is killing justifiable if it is in self defense?

Of the examples we see in the NT of Christians being persecuted, we do not see those same Christians either defending themselves or retaliating by killing. In fact, we do not see evidence of them defending themselves at all.

Aquila · #5 11-18-2011, 07:38 AM

I don't believe a Christian should kill in self defense. It would be better to die at the hands of a sinner to serve as a witness in one last effort to offer salvation than to kill that sinner, condemning them to eternal torments. A Christian is prepared for eternity, which is what life is about, the sinner isn't. So, I see killing in self defense as a sin.

However, I also believe that the saint can be forgiven, but they must understand the severity of their actions.

jfrog · #6 11-18-2011, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveC519

Of the examples we see in the NT of Christians being persecuted, we do not see those same Christians either defending themselves or retaliating by killing. In fact, we do not see evidence of them defending themselves at all.

Their attackers weren't simply a man trying to kill them in a fit of rage. Their attacks were generally by those with the legal authority to kill them. As such they didn't fight because they couldn't have won that way even if they wanted to fight.