Can Christians Use Deadly Force For Defense?

By Reginald Kaigler (DEMCAD)

I was doing a live show on blog tonight and a caller brought up the idea of using a firearm for non-lethal self-defense. He mentioned his believes in Christianity and concluded that he could not kill as a devoted believer in Christ. Let me say upfront that I am not a Christian. I am not religious, but I think it is important to consider interpretation when following any set of documents.

For example, when the Bible states "Thous Shall not kill." In the translation of the word kill, did the original word mean kill or murder. "Kill" means to take life. But Murder implies premeditation. A lot of times, things are lost in the translation, especially context.

Nevertheless, I rejected his idea of firing a warning shot in his home, but there was no way of knowing where the bullet would go. He painted a scenario where he would find an intruder breaking into his home and he would fire a warning shot through a window. The problem is that the bullet may hit a neighbor. Moreover, I think it's unwise to carry a lethal weapon when you don't have the intend to use it for deadly force.

Let me make myself clear. I'm not looking for a shootout or to kill anyone. However, if I have to choose between living or dying, I choose living. My suggestion to this man was that he should research the translations of the bible and find out what kill was really suppose to mean. He should also consider non-lethal weapons such as pepper spray and a stun gun. He may even want to research rubber bullets. But even they can kill.

Ultimately, if you are a believer in God, I think you have to give assume that God has common sense and would understand why you defended yourself and family from harm. Do you really really think God would prefer a man raping a mother and daughter and killing the entire family to a husband (and father) defending his home?


I'll read some of your messages and reply.

A FACEBOOK USER writes,

"I live in a urban area 40 miles outside of DC. Believe me, I have the ability and mind-set to defend my home and family.

Reg, I have read several survival books stating that the cities will empty out and burn WTSHTF. However, I tend to differ with the writers. History is full of examples of the country side flocking to the cities to seek protection and food (e.g. - The collapse of the Argentine economy in 2001, The Europe during the wars and plague). Your thoughts?"

The problem is that we have never had 7 billion people on the planet with most of them not knowing how to grow food and virtually all of them getting their food from outside of their local areas. I think there will be a massive exodus to the suburbs. But I'm staying put right in my home. I think there will be a lot of danger in traveling into areas you are not welcomed.