*PSA For those experiencing issues with sound, please delete and redownload the episode. There was a technical issue during upload that has been rectified. As Christians, we should always look to the Bible for our philosophical structure. Good theology, with intellectual rigor, should furnish an excellent philosophy, culture, political, and economic structure. All presuppositions aside, as much as one can do that, let us go to the Bible and attempt to plainly read the Scriptures to ascertain the answer to the question of the morality of self-defense vs pacifism. 1. So, to start, what do the scriptures say about the value of life? Well, the scriptures say our bodies are temples, our lives have worth, and it is morally imperative to rescue the innocent from the hands of evil. 2. The old law lays out a clear understanding of what is and is not self-defense. 3. With all of this said, the Gospel, and our ability to further it is our goal. One cannot further the Gospel when dead, nor can one forward the Gospel with a vengeful or vindictive spirit either. Godly Wisdom is key, when defending oneself. Let us look at how the scriptures value our bodies, lives, and the bodies and lives of the innocent. 1 Corinthians One could take from this passage that we have a purpose on this earth. We are to treat our body as Israel and the Greeks treated their temples. This held a cultural connotation of treating the body as a holy place. People have died defending much less. Psalms When those dependent on us are under attack, it our ordained duty to defend them. Ezekiel Building off of the thoughts to the last verse, if the watchman does not blow the trumpet, then the watchman will be held to account for the blood shed committed by the evil doer. It is not a stretch to apply this to use of the sword to protect the innocent. Watchmen in the Bible were armed, see Nehemiah. Is there not some culpability if you do nothing to stop someone from murdering you or your dependents, when you have the power to do so? Consider the scenario that after leaving your murder scene, they go on to murder someone else? If you had the capability to defend yourself, are you not at least guilty of failing to use the capabilities that God gave you to stop this person from having that opportunity? Leviticus laid out some excellent laws concerning self-defense and they seem to provide the context for what our laws should look like. Exodus This verse provides the context for self defense in that if the home owner is taken by surprise and kills this person who has unknown or expressed intentions, than the home owner is justified. However, if the thief is found after the nighttime robbery and slain, then the act of vengeance is one of murder. This is in interesting juxtaposition to the law of the avenger of blood and sanctuary cities. And finally the purpose of everything that we do should be to further the Gospel in some way shape or form. Luke Christ himself knew that the apostles would need to defend themselves at times. He was about to go to the cross, to be numbered with the transgressors, and he would not be around much more to defend them. Self-preservation is a commandment from Christ the Son of God. Now, while that is the case, we also need to act in wisdom as we exercise our ability to defend ourselves. Lu Christ was not here to defend himself, he had said as much. He was there in that garden to be taken to be slaughtered, the only worthy sacrifice. Peter, missed the point of Christ's ministry on more than one occasion. We must always be mindful that there are times where our Father in Heaven will wish us to be willing sacrifices for His Gospel, just as His Only Begotten Son was. So, is Self-Defense a Moral Obligation? I would say yes, with the caveat that Christians remain on this earth for the glory of the Lord. If our time has come, He through His Spirit will let us know. Until then, we are expected, no, commanded to protect ourselves for the furtherance of His Gospel, and the innocent among us for the same reason.Comment and share on our home website: provokedtoreason.com !