Should self-defence be a part of Christian living?

Abraham, the father of all Christians, would probably answer in the affirmative. Genesis 14.

Does that mean that we, as SDA Christians, can carry weapons, such as a hand gun, for purposes of self-defence?

I don't currently own one. But if I were to get married, for instance, I'd get a shotgun for her protection, and wouldn't have any problem with using it in case someone threatened her life. There's no sense in a Christian who can bear witness for the Lord losing her life due to some pointless act of violence perpetrated by a drug-crazed punk, when that could be prevented.

How about if someone were to take some boxing classes,kickboxing, or some form of matial art?
God Bless,
Will

QUOTE: "There's no sense in a Christian who can bear witness for the Lord losing her life due to some pointless act of violence perpetrated by a drug-crazed punk, when that could be prevented."

I am not saying that I would not protect someone, but killing would be going too far for me. God has ways of stepping in to protect so we don't need to kill. He don't expect us to brake His commandment. If I were to hit someone to protect my daughter and he died, that not being my intention, I would take it as God's Will. But for me to carry a gun around so I could blow someone away who threatened my daughter, I don't think this is God's plan for Christians. It sure is not His plan for me.

What if God's allowing a wife to die was in His plan to help that drug-crazed punk learn about the love of God through a forgiving husband?

We have heard this happen many times. A spouse may be ready to meet the Lord, but that punk, someone God loves very much and wants ALSO to see in His kingdom, could either be killed by you, stopped by you (but not killed) or not able to be stopped by you. If we were in the case of the third issue of not being able to stop him without killing him, and he did kill our loved one, what kind of state of mind would we have? Would it be one that God could use to help save that punk or one of hate forever for him? This is a serious question that we as Christians really need to ask ourselves. The Lord tells us that it is not a test to see how we deal with those we love, even the wicked can be good to those they love. The test is how we would deal with those we do not love. Will our heart hate or love? Will it be used of God or not? Is it filled with God's love or not?
What kind of Christans are we?

Well, what kind was Abraham? He and his men killed those who kidnapped Lot et al, yet God later said,

"Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws." -- Genesis 26:5

Witness also what Ellen White had to say about Abraham's course of action:

"Seeking, first of all, divine counsel, Abraham prepared for war. From his own encampment he summoned three hundred and eighteen trained servants, men trained in the fear of God, in the service of their master, and in the practice of arms. His confederates, Mamre, Eschol, and Aner, joined him with their bands, and together they started in pursuit of the invaders. The Elamites and their allies had encamped at Dan, on the northern border of Canaan. Flushed with victory, and having no fear of an assault from their vanquished foes, they had given themselves up to reveling. The patriarch divided his force so as to approach from different directions, and came upon the encampment by night. His attack, so vigorous and unexpected, resulted in speedy victory. The king of Elam was slain and his panic-stricken forces were utterly routed. Lot and his family, with all the prisoners and their goods, were recovered, and a rich booty fell into the hands of the victors. To Abraham, under God, the triumph was due. The worshiper of Jehovah had not only rendered a great service to the country, but had proved himself a man of valor. It was seen that righteousness is not cowardice, and that Abraham's religion made him courageous in maintaining the right and defending the oppressed. His heroic act gave him a widespread influence among the surrounding tribes."
{PP 135.1}

There's no hint here that Abraham's violence met with the disapproval of the Almighty. Quite the contrary.

In Matthew 19:18 the Sixth Commandment as spoken by Jesus is rendered, "Thou shalt do no murder." That's specifying premeditated, unjustified killing. It doesn't prohibit all killing outright, no matter what the circumstances. If so, then God would have been guilty of breaking His own law, when He told the Israelites to obliterate their enemies at times. Abraham would have been guilty above.

If I were in a situation where a person was trying to kill a loved one, I certainly would try to avoid killing the aggressor, preferring instead to wound or disable him/her. But in an imperfect world of sin, with circumstances often beyond our control, sometimes the outcome isn't always what we'd prefer.

Also, in the example in the post above about having a shotgun, I wasn't thinking of carrying one around wherever ya go. I was thinking more along the lines of having one at home, to use in case of a home invasion, which usually is perpetrated by more than one person. (i.e. most times they like make sure they outnumber their victims)

Daryl, I hope you do not carry a "hand gun" You know that in Canada hand guns are not permitted weapons for us.

No, I don't carry either a hand gun or a rifle.

What happened to Abraham, etc. was under the Old Testament.

Is there any such example(s) in the New Testament?

Also, closer to our day, what does EGW say about this?

Daryl, you sound like an evangelical! Abraham predated Moses and the Sinai covenant.

--
[edit] Someone sent me an e-mail saying they thought I had insulted Daryl by comparing him to an evangelical. Please understand, that was meant as a friendly poke in the ribs. Hence the addition of the

[ October 06, 2004, 12:43 PM: Message edited by: John ]