Steve Gregg has an interesting and balanced write-up on the ethics of self defense here: http://www.thenarrowpath.com/ta_resistance.php
I have held to the position that self defense to save one's life does not violate the gist of the Sermon on the Mount because Jesus spoke of issues of personal offense, insult and inconvenience, and not of actual danger. However, Gregg points out that early Christians did seem to interpret this to even include personal injury. He cites James 5:6 as one such example (noting that the NIV translation obscures the meaning). He also cited some early church fathers, though I am not sure how representative they are of all Christian thought at the time on the issue. (Gregg does believe it is acceptable to personally defend others who are being attacked.)
It seems unclear to me what James 5:6 is actually referring to. It could even refer to the death of Jesus. What do you all think?
(This is not intended to be a post about pacifism and the ethics of war in general. They are separate issues. In fact, my understanding is that some early Christians believed that war was justifiable for the Christian but not personal self defense.)
I have held to the position that self defense to save one's life does not violate the gist of the Sermon on the Mount because Jesus spoke of issues of personal offense, insult and inconvenience, and not of actual danger. However, Gregg points out that early Christians did seem to interpret this to even include personal injury. He cites James 5:6 as one such example (noting that the NIV translation obscures the meaning). He also cited some early church fathers, though I am not sure how representative they are of all Christian thought at the time on the issue. (Gregg does believe it is acceptable to personally defend others who are being attacked.)
It seems unclear to me what James 5:6 is actually referring to. It could even refer to the death of Jesus. What do you all think?
(This is not intended to be a post about pacifism and the ethics of war in general. They are separate issues. In fact, my understanding is that some early Christians believed that war was justifiable for the Christian but not personal self defense.)
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