The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Is Self-Defense Christian ??

Let me simply say up front that I cannot find "pacifism" taught in Scripture. We are taught that brawling and any such thing is to be repented of and avoided. The texts you mentioned, e.g., where Peter cut off the ear of the soldier and was told to put the sword away (Jh 18:10, 11). Yet one must be very careful to not disregard the CONTEXT of both the text and/or the time in which it was written. Force was not to be used to prevent Christ from His appointed sacrifice on the cross. Thereafter, however, it was to be a different matter, e.g.,


Then, there is this old thread from 2003 Pacifism.

Again, I personally cannot find Pacifism taught in Scripture. Rather, I do find a prohibition against revenge, hatred, vengeance, wrongly anger, murder and such sinful behavior. We are to be good stewards of our bodies and not abuse them, which also surely includes not allowing others to abuse it either. I find it incredulous that anyone (not that you have personally) would suggest that it would be godly, righteous behavior to allow a pervert to molest one of your children or to rape your daughter or wife rather than taking physical action against him.

In His grace,