Occasionally people ask my opinion on various personal or church issues. I recently received the following question which I have reprinted below, followed by my response.

QUESTION

Bob,
 I have a burden about whether or not to carry a gun for self-defense. I know your son is a police officer and I know we need weapons. What does the Bible say about this issue? Is it ok to take another life in self-defense? I know the world justifies it but does scripture back this up?

MY ANSWER:

Since the threat of bodily harm seems to be escalating in our world, many law-abiding people are arming themselves for the purpose of self-defense. The Bible does warn that wickedness and violence will increase in the last days. But I’m amazed at the number of Christian people who are now carrying guns…even to church.

I don’t have the paranoia about guns that some people have today. I have fond memories of hunting with my dad as a boy, and I had my own 410 shotgun leaning against the wall in my bedroom when I was a teenager. For a variety of reasons, I have chosen not to carry or even own a gun as an adult. But I do believe Christians have the right of self-defense, and I understand why many carry a concealed weapon.

The Bible makes it clear that God places a high value on every human life and we shouldn’t kill someone over possessions. However, if one’s life is threatened by murder, rape, kidnapping or some other evil intention, Christians are entitled to defend themselves out of respect for their own life, which is also given by God. Here are some passages that validate our right to self-defense.

Exodus 22:2-3. “If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed.”

Notice there are two scenarios pictured.  In the first situation the thief breaks in at night, and his intention cannot be determined.  The home-owner has a right to use lethal force to prevent bodily harm to himself or that of family members.  The person who kills an intruder in that context is not guilty of bloodshed.

In the second scenario, the thief breaks in during the day. The homeowner is not to kill the intruder if it is obvious he does not pose a threat to life. Killing a thief in broad daylight is not justifiable. The threat of a weapon could be used to stop the thief from stealing, but the Old Testament did not gran permission to kill someone who was merely stealing property. Better to absorb the loss of possessions than to shoot a thief in the back.

Nehemiah 4:13-14  In this passage local antagonists vowed to kill the Israeli citizens who were rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. These zealous wall-builders weren’t trained soldiers or police officers; they were new settlers concerned about protecting their families. Nehemiah, their leader, armed them with swords, spears, and bows and instructed them, “…fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.” (v. 14).

The Jews carried their weapons with them to work, and they were permitted to use lethal force to defend themselves if necessary.

Esther 8:11-12. This Scripture describes a time when all Israelites living in Persia were under threat of extermination due to racial hatred.  King Ahasuerus, responding to Queen Esther’s plea, gave the Hebrew people permission to use lethal force in self-defense.  “By these letters, the king permitted the Jews who were in every city to gather together and protect their lives — to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province that would assault them…”

This was another example of God providentially granting people a right to use weapons in self-defense in a non-wartime, non-law enforcement situation.

Some might suggest that Jesus’ instruction in the Sermon on the Mount not to resist an evil person but to ‘turn the other cheek” should be applied here (Matt. 5:39). But it seems Jesus was referring to an insult, not bodily harm. There’s a big difference between someone slapping you on the right cheek and a person using lethal force against you or your family.

One New Testament passage to consider is Luke 22:36.  Jesus said to them, “…and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.” The Scripture does not record Jesus’ elaboration on how and when the sword was to be used. A few hours later in Gethsemane Jesus told Peter to put his sword away and added, “Whoever lives by the sword dies by the sword.” But obviously, there are times when it’s proper for followers of Christ to carry a weapon to defend themselves.

I hope these passages help you in your decision. We all look forward to that day when “They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid.” (Micah 4:3-4)

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