Is it okay for a Disciple of Christ to use deadly force under any circumstance?

https://carm.org/other-questions/do-christians-have-the-right-of-physical-self-defense/

It is, indeed, a well-rounded article, but it's lacking in addressing the main question. Only a few New Testament verses are given in claimed support of using violence in self defense or defense of others by Christians.

Luke 11:21-22: "When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils."

The context is

Luke 11:15: "But some of them said, He casts out the demons by Beelzebul the chief of the demons."

Jesus is pointing out the absurdity of devils casting out demons. In the example, Jesus is the stronger man who overcomes the armed man. Doesn't seem to say anything about violent self defense by Christians.

Luke 22:36-38: "Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough."

This command seems to be solely to fulfill a specific prophecy and was given only to the disciples, not the multitudes; 2 swords were sufficient to fulfill the prophecy.

John 2:15: "And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;"

Doesn't seem to say anything about deadly force, nor does it say Jesus hit anyone with this non-lethal instrument. None of the commentaries on biblehub thought it a deadly weapon:

'This whip was made as an emblem of authority, and also for the purpose of driving from the temple the cattle which had been brought there for sale. There is no evidence that he used any violence to the men engaged in that unhallowed traffic. The original word implies that these "cords" were made of twisted "rushes" or "reeds" - probably the ancient material for making ropes.'

'Moreover there was no material which inflicted less lasting hurt on the body than this. Nor is it said, that He inflicted a single blow upon the men: He accomplished His purpose by the terror [which He inspired].'

'The "scourge," as Godet says, is a symbol, not an instrument. It was in Christ's hands a conspicuous method of expressing his indignation, and augmenting the force of his command, by an indication that he meant to be obeyed there and then.'

1 Timothy 5:8: "But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."

This talks about providing for needs and says nothing about using violence to defend one's family.

The bit about the word translated "sword" in Luke vs a different word used for "sword" in Revelation was interesting:

'The word “sword” used by Jesus is μάχαιρα, máchaira. It means, “A knife, slaughter–knife, a sword for cutting…”1 and “a short sword or dagger.”2 And, “relatively short sword (or even dagger) used for cutting and stabbing—‘sword, dagger.’3'

'The word for sword there is ῥομφαία, rhomphaía. It means, “A broadsword used especially by the Thracians and carried on the right shoulder.”4'

It seems the final word was given when Jesus disarmed Peter:

Matthew 26:52: "Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword."

This is perfectly in line with "love your enemies" in Matthew 5:44.

Tertullian understood Jesus disarming Peter to also be disarming all Christians. (He also thought by the same logic that Christians couldn't join the military even during peace time.)

Tertullian in Of Idolatry, Chapter 19:

"But how will a Christian man war, nay, how will he serve even in peace, without a sword, which the Lord has taken away? For albeit soldiers had come unto John, and had received the formula of their rule; albeit, likewise, a centurion had believed; still the Lord afterward, in disarming Peter, unbelted every soldier. No dress is lawful among us, if assigned to any unlawful action."

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Discussion

Yes, absolutely! People are image bearers of God. Life is to be preserved at all costs. And those who take image bearers lives deserve the death penalty. Eye for an eye!

How does it square with The Sermon on the Mount?

Matthew 5:38-39,43-46: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. ... Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?"

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

-You can’t love your enemies if your dead though…

Is it loving your enemies to kill them? Why will all those taking the sword perish with the sword? Jesus says the greatest love involves a man laying down his own life.

Matthew 26:52: "Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword."

John 15:12-14: "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."

-They will perish for taking life without cause.

-Yes, to lay down one’s life on behalf of preserving another is of the upmost love!

-killing and murder are two very different and distinct things

Plainly, the Bible distinguishes between a justified killing and murder, that is, unlawful (not legally justified) homicide in which the perpetrator intentionally kills another person. The penal codes of nations around the world have historically held a similar distinction. So what God forbids in the Ten Commandments is murder, specifically, not killing, in general.

Certainly under the Law of Moses. Didn't Christ raise the standard here along with other moral laws like lust being akin to adultery?

So is the moral law still applicable? Jesus just raised the bar. I say to if you have hate for a brother than you’ve already committed murder.

It you’re not making your case against self defense though

Jesus reiterated many of the commandments. The moral law is still applicable.

Mark 10:19-21: "Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me."

Perfect..so where do you actually stand on self defense as a Christian?

(from the end of the original post:)

It seems the final word was given when Jesus disarmed Peter:

Matthew 26:52: "Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword."

This is perfectly in line with "love your enemies" in Matthew 5:44.

Tertullian understood Jesus disarming Peter to also be disarming all Christians. (He also thought by the same logic that Christians couldn't join the military even during peace time.)

Tertullian in Of Idolatry, Chapter 19:

"But how will a Christian man war, nay, how will he serve even in peace, without a sword, which the Lord has taken away? For albeit soldiers had come unto John, and had received the formula of their rule; albeit, likewise, a centurion had believed; still the Lord afterward, in disarming Peter, unbelted every soldier. No dress is lawful among us, if assigned to any unlawful action."

Acts 5:29 brother

- as helpful as tertulian is/was I don’t obey him

Where did Jesus command to use lethal force in self defense? How does that relate to turning the other cheek and not resisting evil and loving our enemies?

Acts 5:25-32: "Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."