Interesting thread, ping
My ‘elephant in the room’ comment will probably nget ignored yet again.
It’s kinda hard to walk straight when this whirlwind is so strong...
Indeed it is interesting. I agree that we are to defend ourselves and others.
I am not sure that I understand self-defense to be a biblical mandate, but it seems hermeneutically that it is unavoidable. If the Scriptures are to be understood the way an historic novel unfolds its story, rather than the way an encyclopedia sets out topics, then clearly we Gentiles are not really even included until after the blood was shed at Calvary (Eph. 2:11 - 13). This fact makes the so-called Sermon on the Mount (with all of its demands) actually a crushing exposition on the Law of Moses (Matt. 7:12).
All of the remarks made here about “turning the other cheek” and “not resisting evil” (etc.) are made by Jesus to the Jews to explain perfect living under the Law. These demands are both someone else’s mail and removed for the Jew after the cross.
As the “movie” winds down to that most important scene at Calvary, recall Jesus alters the directives He gives even to the Jewish disciples (likely in anticipation of the situations they and Gentile believers would face). After the Last Supper He directs them to get a sword if they haven’t already done so (Luke 22:36). Sell your robe if necessary...you’re going to need it when I am gone.
Once Paul begins to tutor the believing Gentile world (best captured in the letter to the Romans), it is clear that governments are ordained by God to “bear the sword” as a means of suppressing the worst of evil. (Rom. 13)
Now, obviously, it is evil to lie, to think lustful thoughts, to be cruel and Paul does not mean that governments should be stamping out anyone who does these. But, the horrific rampant murder of people in the name of a pagan god is not in any of these categories. We are seeing evil as in the days of Noah...and it is abhorred by God (even as He is managing it into the world). Thus, I find that members of the armed forces are both legitimate and necessary.