Does Jesus Forbid Self-Defense?

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 06-17-18 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[Salvation]

Finally, recall that the Sermon on the Mount is not a list of moral rules that we are expected to follow with the power of our own flesh. Rather, they are a description of the transformed human person. They describe what a person is like when the Lord lives in him and transforms him by His grace. The transformed person is not excessively concerned with personal dignity. The world did not bestow dignity and thus cannot take it away. The transformed person is not concerned with getting back at those who have inflicted blows against their dignity; He is content to be in God’s favor and increasingly free of vainglory, the excessive desire for human praise and standing.

[Salvation]

Monsignor Pope Ping!

[DungeonMaster]

There are many many kinds of self defense. I’m thinking of King David and the Apostle Paul.

[Red Badger]

Sell your cloak and buy a sword.......................

[olepap]

This kind of thing is why I am not a Christian.

[MeganC]

Exactly! Jesus didn’t tell his disciples to arm themselves with military style assault weapons (that’s what swords were at the time) just because they looked nice.

[clamper1797]

“Turn the other cheek” was not meant as a suicide pact

[PapaBear3625]

Keep in mind that the same Jesus who said “turn the other cheek” in response to offenses against personal dignity, responded to an offense against the dignity of the Temple by whipping the money changers out of the temple.

[Jim Noble]

God dealt with the Hebrews as a collective.

Jesus dealt with everyone as individuals.

[TexasGunLover]

This kind of thing is why I am not a Christian.

I am sorry to hear this. I will pray for your soul to be opened to your Lord and Savior.

[yarddog]

We know for certain that some of Jesus’ disciples carried swords. He obviously didn’t object.

He also said that he who lives by the sword shall die by the sword. That is not saying you should not defend yourself or your family or others for that matter.

[robel]

Yeah, that’s the reason. Another one of God’s creations that turned out smarter than the Creator.

[bunkerhill7]

What a stupid question.

[ExGeeEye]

Take your wallet and your backpack, and if you don’t have a sidearm, sell your parka and buy one.

—Luke 22:36 (NRAV)

[Little Ray]

That is a stupid question.
Jesus TOLD his disciples to purchase swords to protect themselves during their travels.
Luke 22:36

[Mrs. Don-o]

They said "Here are two swords" and He said, "Enough."

Two swords for 12 men?

Enough for what?

Enough for them to symbolically be classified as criminals, transgressors, it seems.

Read through the whole passage and you'll see what I mean.

Luke 22:35-38

Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered.

He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. For it is written: ‘he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment."

The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords."

"That is enough," he replied.

The disciples did not understand this, and as Jesus was being arrested, Peter attempted to defend him by reaching for one of the swords, and striking the servant of the High Priest, cutting off his ear. Jesus miraculously healed the wound, and then rebuked Peter:

Matthew 26:52-53: "Put your sword back in its place… for all who take the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will provide me with more than twelve legions of angels?"

I'm not arguing for Ivory Snow, 99 44/100% pacifism here, and I don't think Jesus is, either. But I am supplying necessary context.

[Mrs. Don-o]

The quote from the Catechism makes it clear that self-defense, even by an act of lethal force, is not forbidden by the Gospel of Christ.

But there's more to it than that. It's a closely-reasoned article, and it deserves a very careful read.

[GoldenPup]

Joel 3:10.

[yarddog]

You are absolutely right. It was to fulfill prophecy.

But it still shows that a couple of them carried swords.

[Red Badger]

“Enough”......I think He was referring to fulfillment of prophecy...........