That's a good point, Janice. I do not find the principle of self-defense anywhere in the Scriptures, but I DO see laying down our lives for someone else. In matters of society, we are to stand up for others and protect them. This often means standing up to, combating, and subduing evil on behalf of others. It is not in the spirit of veng…
That's a good point, Janice. I do not find the principle of self-defense anywhere in the Scriptures, but I DO see laying down our lives for someone else. In matters of society, we are to stand up for others and protect them. This often means standing up to, combating, and subduing evil on behalf of others. It is not in the spirit of vengeance, but in the spirit of what Jesus did for us: laying down our lives for others.
The right of self-defense is abundant in Scripture. For example, "Thou shalt no kill" as the negative averal implies "thou shalt not be killed" which in turn implies directly the right of self-defense from which in law we get the term 'justifiable homicide'. There are plenty more such examples in the Old Testament, and more up front direct in the taking. And the greatest statue in the world is The David in the Academy in Florence. That would be David in the act of contemplating the slaying Goliath ... all in defense of the Hebrew tribes. So, it is not just self-defense ... but also in defense of the family and the extended family ... and the larger family of the dwelling place called country. And all so that the just (righteous) can live in God's Peace under God's Holy Law Order.
The Fallen Western Church teaches a New Testament divorced from the Old Testament as a sort of schismatic heresy. This teaching is in the character of pure Scofield dispensational nonsense.
It depends upon which Bible one uses. In the KJV, the Geneva 1599 and the American Standard Version, it is 'Thou shall not kill'. In many other Bibles the word 'murder' is used. But whether it is kill or murder, the understanding by divines is always stated within the context of what is lawful. And whether one reads Luther, Calvin or R. J. Rushdoony, it is always so.
The purpose of the covenantal injunction of the Sixth Commandment is to do no harm to one's neighbor. Hence, the deeper purpose of the Commandment is equally an instruction in how to 'love they neighbor' by doing him no harm or injury, and loving him by living responsibly with one's neighbors in a state of God's Peace. Below is from the Westminster Confession of Faith, larger confession. It illustrates the point.
WLC 135: What are the duties required in the Sixth Commandment?
Answer: The duties required in the Sixth Commandment are, all careful studies, and lawful endeavors, to preserve the life of ourselves1 and others2 by resisting all thoughts and purposes3, subduing all passions4, and avoiding all occasions5, temptations6, and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any7; by just defense thereof against violence8, patient bearing of the hand of God9, quietness of mind10, cheerfulness of spirit11; a sober use of meat12, drink13, physical14, sleep15, labour16, and recreations17; by charitable thoughts18, love19, compassion20, meekness, gentleness, kindness21; peaceable22, mild and courteous speeches and behavior23; forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient bearing and forgiving of injuries, and requiting good for evil24; comforting and succoring the distressed, and protecting and defending the innocent.25
So, some say 'murder' is the better usage. But I say neither 'murder' or 'kill' is adequate without expository enlargement. R. J. Rushdoony is probably the most expansive look into the meaning of the Six Commandment. This would be The Institutes of Biblical Law, Vol. 1, pages 219 - 332.
That's a good point, Janice. I do not find the principle of self-defense anywhere in the Scriptures, but I DO see laying down our lives for someone else. In matters of society, we are to stand up for others and protect them. This often means standing up to, combating, and subduing evil on behalf of others. It is not in the spirit of vengeance, but in the spirit of what Jesus did for us: laying down our lives for others.
Defending the innocent, standing up for justice, protecting widows and orphans, etc.
From my favorite book of the Bible - James.
One of my fave books as well--it puts the "rubber on the road" and "practicalizes" our Christian doctrine.
The right of self-defense is abundant in Scripture. For example, "Thou shalt no kill" as the negative averal implies "thou shalt not be killed" which in turn implies directly the right of self-defense from which in law we get the term 'justifiable homicide'. There are plenty more such examples in the Old Testament, and more up front direct in the taking. And the greatest statue in the world is The David in the Academy in Florence. That would be David in the act of contemplating the slaying Goliath ... all in defense of the Hebrew tribes. So, it is not just self-defense ... but also in defense of the family and the extended family ... and the larger family of the dwelling place called country. And all so that the just (righteous) can live in God's Peace under God's Holy Law Order.
The Fallen Western Church teaches a New Testament divorced from the Old Testament as a sort of schismatic heresy. This teaching is in the character of pure Scofield dispensational nonsense.
My Dad always kept his Scofield Reference Bible handy--it was well worn!!
It's a shame that few Christians would even understand your last two lines.
I think Thou shall not murder is the correct translation. Big difference.
It depends upon which Bible one uses. In the KJV, the Geneva 1599 and the American Standard Version, it is 'Thou shall not kill'. In many other Bibles the word 'murder' is used. But whether it is kill or murder, the understanding by divines is always stated within the context of what is lawful. And whether one reads Luther, Calvin or R. J. Rushdoony, it is always so.
The purpose of the covenantal injunction of the Sixth Commandment is to do no harm to one's neighbor. Hence, the deeper purpose of the Commandment is equally an instruction in how to 'love they neighbor' by doing him no harm or injury, and loving him by living responsibly with one's neighbors in a state of God's Peace. Below is from the Westminster Confession of Faith, larger confession. It illustrates the point.
WLC 135: What are the duties required in the Sixth Commandment?
https://thewestminsterstandards.com/wlc-135-what-are-the-duties-required-in-the-sixth-commandment/
Answer: The duties required in the Sixth Commandment are, all careful studies, and lawful endeavors, to preserve the life of ourselves1 and others2 by resisting all thoughts and purposes3, subduing all passions4, and avoiding all occasions5, temptations6, and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any7; by just defense thereof against violence8, patient bearing of the hand of God9, quietness of mind10, cheerfulness of spirit11; a sober use of meat12, drink13, physical14, sleep15, labour16, and recreations17; by charitable thoughts18, love19, compassion20, meekness, gentleness, kindness21; peaceable22, mild and courteous speeches and behavior23; forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient bearing and forgiving of injuries, and requiting good for evil24; comforting and succoring the distressed, and protecting and defending the innocent.25
So, some say 'murder' is the better usage. But I say neither 'murder' or 'kill' is adequate without expository enlargement. R. J. Rushdoony is probably the most expansive look into the meaning of the Six Commandment. This would be The Institutes of Biblical Law, Vol. 1, pages 219 - 332.