A MATTER OF SELF DEFENSE
Dr. Paul Manuel—2016
Some people think the God of the Old Testament was different from the God of the New Testament, that the former was vengeful whereas the latter is merciful, that the God of Jews was characterized by wrath but the God of Christians is characterized by love. Some Christians think that the Father of Jesus (even Jesus himself) is actually a pacifist and that Christians should be pacifists as well. Even if one bifurcates the Old Testament and the New Testament, their respective pictures of God's character are not different. The Bible as a whole, Old Testament and New Testament together, presents a unified description of God. He has always condemned wickedness and commended righteousness. His disposition toward mankind has never changed. His essential character is immutable:
He who is the Glory of Israel does not...change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind. (1 Sam 15:29)
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)It is to our eternal advantage that God and His dealings with man do not change so that we, like Israel, "are not destroyed" (Mal 3:6).1
The supposition that He has changed, that He has perhaps mellowed with age, fails to recognize that the Bible as a whole presents a consistent picture of God, that the character He displays in the Old Testament is no different from the character He displays in the New Testament. God responds to man appropriately whatever his situation. While the reader will find a constant view of God throughout the Bible, he must always be cognizant of context, recognizing that God's revelation may pertain to a specific setting and not be universal, applicable to all circumstances.2
The Bible does not say much about self-defense,3 but there are a few passages that suggest some general principles. While it is preferable "as far as it depends on you, [to] live at peace with everyone" (Rom 12:18), that is not always possible, and you may need to act in response to an attack.
- Principle: The child of God must preserve his own life.
If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; but if it happens after sunrise, he is guilty of bloodshed (Exod 22:2-3a).When an intruder's intention is unknown or unknowable (i.e., whether to rob or to assault), in this case because of darkness, deadly force is warranted. In daylight an intruder's motive is ostensibly clear.4 Presumably a homeowner may still resist a thief and protect his property5 but may not kill him, because the threat is not to the homeowner personally.6
Case #2: A determined Philistine versus a more determined shepherd
The Philistine cursed David by his gods. "Come here," he said, "and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!" ...Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell...on the ground.... David...took hold of the Philistine's sword and...cut off his head.... (1 Sam 17: 43b-44, 49, 51a-b)When an attacker's intention to harm is clear, deadly force is warranted. Personal defense is not limited to an empty-hand, and the Bible describes the use of several weapons.7
Case #3: Potential assailants versus prepared apostles
"If you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one... The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied (Luke 22:36, 38).Jesus recognizes that his disciples may encounter hostile elements in their travels and recommends that they be ready.8
- Principle: The child of God must protect another's life.9
Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked (Ps 82:4).10The child of God must care for the vulnerable, which may entail the use of force.
Case #2: Some hostile neighbors versus some committed builders
I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows.... Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes." (Neh 4:13, 14b)These men kept watch so they would not be surprised by an attack: "Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other" (Neh 4:17b). Moreover, those who were working remained armed: "Each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked.... Each had his weapon, even when he went for water" (Neh 4:18,23). They maintained their vigilance and, thereby, discouraged further attacks: "We continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out" (Neh 4:21). In this way they kept themselves and their families safe.
Case #3: Vindictive gentiles versus vulnerable Jews
The king's edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate any armed force of any nationality or province that might attack them and their women and children; and to plunder the property of their enemies (Esth 8:11).This attempt to exterminate all Jews from the empire failed because they fought back effectively.
The enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but...the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them.... The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them... (Esth 9:1b,5a).Their collective armed resistance prevented a mass extermination.
Even as there is a limit to defending one's property, so there is a limit to defending one's pride. In fact, it is best to disregard an affront to one's pride, which may be Jesus' point in his Sermon on the Mount.
- Principle: A child of God must proscribe his pride.
If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also (Matt 5:39b).This is not a physical assault with intent to inflict damage. Because most people are right handed, a strike to the right cheek will be with the back of the aggressor's right hand. His intent is not to injure but to insult. The act is more a threat to one's pride than to one's person, and Jesus tells his disciples that the appropriate response is no response.11
God is not a pacifist, as evinced by His militant support for the Israelites against their many enemies. Similarly, Jesus is not a pacifist. Neither is he the mild-mannered teacher that some people idealize him to be. While he often displayed compassion, he could also display aggression, such as when he responded
forcefully to inappropriate business dealings in the temple:12
He made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area.... (John 2: 15a)In the end, he will act with even greater force, killing all who oppose him.
Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.... The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse.... (Rev 19:15a, 21)By such a display of force God will bring history to a glorious finale.13
While the Bible recognizes the value of martial skill, that ability is not to be the object of one's faith.14
- The Sons of Korah understood this distinction when they wrote in Ps 44:6-7: "I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame".
- David, as he stood before Goliath, boldly declared: "It is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give all of you into our hands" (1 Sam 17:47).
- Nehemiah, expecting an imminent attack, told those who returned from Babylon hoping to start a new life: "Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes" (Neh 4:14b).
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
(Ps 20:7)
For a pdf including Bibliography and Endnotes see here.
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