[Mrs. Don-o]

"Agreed, but I’ve understood that to refer to the short-term, from the betrayal to the Cruxifiction. The time for carrying arms follows thereafter."

But they were under direct threat of persecution unto death at many points in the ante-Nicene period. Again I ask (in all sincerity), is there any record of any Apostles or any of Jesus' followers taking up arms to defend themselves or the early Christian communities between the time of the Crucifixion and the time of Constantine?

[thefrankbaum]

I don't have time to go digging right now, but, if I recall correctly, I believe some of Origen's writings may provide a response relative to Christianity and self-defense. If you'd like, I can go searching when I have some more time.

However, with the utmost respect, let me ask you a question - is there a particular reason you are focusing the examinination on the ante-Nicene period? Obviously we have very limited documentation about life during that time period within the Church, and if later interpretation by the Magisterium of Revelation indicates Christians have a moral right to self-defense, why could we not assume that such a right was not understood by the early Church?

Sorry if that is unclear! Mind is starting to get groggy.