What is the biblical view of self-defense?

"What is the biblical view of Self Defense?"
Dr. Andrew Walker answers in Honest Answers | Episode 113

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[albinnerentoft]

Dear Mr. Walker. Although I really appreciate you gave your answer clearly and with mercy, I must say I was left wanting more references to Scripture.

You said: ”Obviously I want to go to Scripture. That is my first and foremost foundation.”

But then proceeded to not give a single Bible reference to support the principles you gave. Instead you only described the principles.

I also see other comments asking for Bible references. Please consider respond to this as you see fit.

Joy in Christ,
Albin

[Zorcon]

Most hippie Christians 'Dont believe in violent force, ' yet are sure willing to call the cops to summon people who ARE willing.

[WilliamFong-ps]

Appreciate this topic but as others have said, why is something with no Scripture reference being posted on this channel. This is worldly wisdom.

[jasonrobbins]

I agree on principle. However, from this presentation I receive a lot of philosophy but not theology. Can you support your stance with Scripture? (Absent in this video)

[ZacharyBronstein]

Man says “ I go to scripture first as my foundation”—then proceeds to give no scripture references for his position.

Is the gold standard of Christian eduction and discipleship these days?

[TM_Stone]

Most men, myself included, would face danger and defend his family at all costs. We feel it. There are NUMEROUS examples of this in history. God placed this nature in men.

[miriamtalavera]

The response to an attack depends on the situation. On the one hand we have Jesus saying in Matthew 5:38-39 "You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 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." But then we have Exodus 22:2 which says, "If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him".

Proverbs 24:29 says "Do not say, 'I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.'” And John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

[bob-]

Matthew Henry's commentary - Luke 22:21-38

How unbecoming is the worldly ambition of being the greatest, to the character of a follower of Jesus, who took upon him the form of a servant, and humbled himself to the death of the cross! In the way to eternal happiness, we must expect to be assaulted and sifted by Satan. If he cannot destroy, he will try to disgrace or distress us. Nothing more certainly forebodes a fall, in a professed follower of Christ, than self-confidence, with disregard to warnings, and contempt of danger. Unless we watch and pray always, we may be drawn in the course of the day into those sins which we were in the morning most resolved against. If believers were left to themselves, they would fall; but they are kept by the power of God, and the prayer of Christ. Our Lord gave notice of a very great change of circumstances now approaching. The disciples must not expect that their friends would be kind to them as they had been. Therefore, he that has a purse, let him take it, for he may need it. They must now expect that their enemies would be more fierce than they had been, and they would need weapons. At the time the apostles understood Christ to mean real weapons, but he spake only of the weapons of the spiritual warfare. The sword of the Spirit is the sword with which the disciples of Christ must furnish themselves.

Note: I personally believe that we can protect our family, based on much reading and contemplation. But I do think that God will judge whatever we do, so if we "truly" could've wounded or fired warning shots, rather than kill, that will be taken into account (remember, God is no fool, He knows our hearts, and unlike man's courts, He knows the whole truth). Let everyone determine for themselves how they will handle this issue of self defense. It's worth noting that, right or wrong, Simon Peter carried (and used it to injure someone) a sword in the Garden of Gethsemane, in the presence of our Lord. Again, I'm not saying Jesus condoned the sword, but he surely allowed it.

[Chris.A.H]

And how is this a “biblical” view of self defense? He gave zero scripture to back up anything he said. All I heard repeatedly was “I think”. Smh

[ILikeYouUC]

Solid points. Totally agree. If you aren't allowed to take evasive maneuvers to escape harm, then why did Jesus slip through a croud trying to murder him? And why the below verses about his apostle Paul?

Acts 9:25: “But his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall.”

2 Corinthians 11:32-33: “In Damascus, a ruler under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to arrest me. So I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped from his hands.”

[DonaldDeCicco]

Surely the Bible says "turn the other cheek". But it does say how many times. Just like it states "be slow to anger". That does not mean don't be angry. Clearly we are to be patient and to even bare some abuse but nothing stops us from defense so long as it is measured and appropriate. And death should never be celebrated.

[UnfilteredMedic]

Too many people take that verse out of context and by itself as an excuse for total pacifism.
If it were, then telling them to "if you do not have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." That would make God/Jesus a hypocrite and even the newest Christian knows from the Bible that is not true. Any verse used or discussed MUST be taken a) in context and b) with preceding and following verses appliable to it.
Let's be realistic. in this world, the optimal choice of non-violence no matter what is absurd. If one were to let themeselves be killed it shows no reverence for the body God made for them. Who's going to protect and provide now that the mother or father is gone or both?
Here, the children are far worse off than if they defended themselves.
God warns people of Anger and to those who live lives where Violence is more common. Police. Fire. Military. EMS. Given that time, temple guard and soldiers for example. "Those who live by violence (sword) will die b/c of violence (sword)."
Compared to the rest of us who do not then the odds of us being attacked is greatly reduced. Even then a person with not much with family or friends is still a person with value in this world. Any good Christian church would be glad to have them.
God NEVER state to let Evil in any shape or form go unchecked or unchallenged.

[owenmullet]

With all due respect, where is the scripture to support your position? On subjects like this we need to step back from our own ideas and feelings and take an honest look at what the bible says about it.

[justingoble]

Psalm 11:5- The LORD tests the righteous, but His soul hates the wicked and those who love violence.

The key word here is “love, ” but a lot of these comments sound eager to find themselves in a bad situation. We’re not superheroes. And modern superheroes, while fun, aren’t the best example of Christ. Christ is the best example of Christ, and He avoided bad situations and was safe, but also laid His life down to save others.

[hjtapia]

You can't make this stuff up, seriously. 😒

The Gospels are very clear; Jesus was very clear as well; if you don't want to follow His specific instructions, that's fine, but don't make stuff up.

[ancora]

Bad teaching. Don’t follow this man reasoning follow Jesus one instead.