Hi Keith, as a retired soldier late to the faith, I look to Psalm 144 v1 and being a steward of the training and experience received as permission to resort to force as needed for self, family, and congregational protection. I agree that we need to seek God's will and strength to justly use force so we do not dishonor Him. Thank you for this article. I will share with our church safety team.
As a Calvary Chapel pastor who has studied this topic for many years, and reading your article today, I want to commend you for your well rounded study. One of the things I would add is the slapping someone on the face is a minor action of aggression, and is very different from someone coming at you with a knife or gun. Good job Keith.
Hi Keith, I appreciated the way you integrated both ends of the spectrum, focusing on when each would be appropriate. I will share this with our pastors & the rest of our church safety team.
Great article for finding where I should stand as a member of a Security team. Loved the example of David and Goliath. Just tried to complete the picture of those two facing it off. One with a slingshot and stones. Goliath with maybe a shield, spear, axe and of coarse his obvious girth. That scene would be a great picture to generate some captions. One picture looking over David’s shoulder at Goliath. The other looking over Goliath’s shoulder at David. Thanks!
Great article and informative. Thanks for considering both sides. I tend to believe those of us with the ability to protect should ensure we are able to do so, with the minimum force necessary to compel compliance from an aggressor.
"I come not to bring peace, but to bring a sword". Summed up in 1 word - NO. Too many references in the bible that indicate self defense is NOT a sin, but a duty. And its not just "self" defense...its defense of any of the weaker than you. Those that say its a sin are purposefully trying to brainwash a population much the way we heard the crap for years about that "Mostly peaceful religion". Guess that didn't work out so well.
My experience says there are three angles to study through. 1. Self-defense, 2. Pacifism 3. Non-resistance. I understand that there are several degrees of Pacifism (IEP, n.d.). Some refuse to use any force at all and some will allow defense for family but not self to include hand-to-hand combat or weapons. The Amish and Mennonites practice non-resistance which is the strictest level of pacifism (IEP, n.d.; Merriam-Webster-Webster, 2025). Non-resistance teaches that any fighting or use of weapons against another human is against Scriptures (Dordrecht Confession, 1632; Mennonite Confession, 1963/2015; Merriam-Webster-Webster, 2025).
It is an interesting subject and one that is controversial in our contemporary society.
A significant story in the Bible related to self-defense is in Genesis 14. After Abram heard that his nephew had been taken captive, Abram armed his 318 trained servants to pursue the captors. After defeating the captors, he brought back his nephew as well as all the other people and goods which were taken. Then the priest of the most high God, Melchizedek, shared bread and wine with Abram and blessed him. The lesson is clear. Abram was prepared. His servants were already trained. And Abram was blessed for exercising the right of self-defense.
Great article. Thanks for the research and info on the different ideas, beliefs, and scriptures about this topic. This is something I'm always trying to understand better. As I've had the chance to serve on my church's safety team and interact with some angry people, I'm realizing that I've had an incomplete view of how to serve in this ministry. I think I've subconsciously assumed that the nice, Christian part of me welcomes and greets people, and then I need to switch to a warrior (non-Christian) part of me to deal with threats. However, I'm starting to realize that as a Christian, with the Holy Spirit's help I can love people in the middle of their anger and help them de-escalate, and that if I need to protect others I can do so out of love as well. I certainly haven't reached the destination of where I want to get to, but I'm on a journey of learning how to be an integrated person who finds my identity in Christ and trusts Him in all parts of my life. Thanks for the helpful info, I really appreciate and enjoy all you do to serve and bless so many of us who care about protecting others. God bless you.
Thank you Keith! I found your training well researched and objectively presented. I appreciate the time and effort you put into it, especially your scripture references. You are a blessing to us in the church safety and security ministry. Praying God’s continued favor and protection over your ministry and family.
I think it's important to note that most progressives, whether "Christian" or not cite the commandment as "Thou shalt not kill." Which, of course we know is in inappropriate interpretation.
If you ever watched The Unit, there was a great episode which focused on this very thing. Very well written.
Hi Keith, as a retired soldier late to the faith, I look to Psalm 144 v1 and being a steward of the training and experience received as permission to resort to force as needed for self, family, and congregational protection. I agree that we need to seek God's will and strength to justly use force so we do not dishonor Him. Thank you for this article. I will share with our church safety team.
Mike Feehly
As a Calvary Chapel pastor who has studied this topic for many years, and reading your article today, I want to commend you for your well rounded study. One of the things I would add is the slapping someone on the face is a minor action of aggression, and is very different from someone coming at you with a knife or gun. Good job Keith.
Hi Keith, I appreciated the way you integrated both ends of the spectrum, focusing on when each would be appropriate. I will share this with our pastors & the rest of our church safety team.
Thank you for this solid research and heartfelt desires expressed to protect our own
Thanks Keith,
Great article for finding where I should stand as a member of a Security team. Loved the example of David and Goliath. Just tried to complete the picture of those two facing it off. One with a slingshot and stones. Goliath with maybe a shield, spear, axe and of coarse his obvious girth. That scene would be a great picture to generate some captions. One picture looking over David’s shoulder at Goliath. The other looking over Goliath’s shoulder at David. Thanks!
I’ve sometimes summed it up as to love one’s neighbor sometimes means doing bad things to bad people.
Great article! As I grow in my faith in Jesus Christ, I have a desire to defend the ones who can’t defend themselves.
I will put myself in harms way out of love for my church family . Thanks for the training!
Great article and informative. Thanks for considering both sides. I tend to believe those of us with the ability to protect should ensure we are able to do so, with the minimum force necessary to compel compliance from an aggressor.
"I come not to bring peace, but to bring a sword". Summed up in 1 word - NO. Too many references in the bible that indicate self defense is NOT a sin, but a duty. And its not just "self" defense...its defense of any of the weaker than you. Those that say its a sin are purposefully trying to brainwash a population much the way we heard the crap for years about that "Mostly peaceful religion". Guess that didn't work out so well.
My experience says there are three angles to study through. 1. Self-defense, 2. Pacifism 3. Non-resistance. I understand that there are several degrees of Pacifism (IEP, n.d.). Some refuse to use any force at all and some will allow defense for family but not self to include hand-to-hand combat or weapons. The Amish and Mennonites practice non-resistance which is the strictest level of pacifism (IEP, n.d.; Merriam-Webster-Webster, 2025). Non-resistance teaches that any fighting or use of weapons against another human is against Scriptures (Dordrecht Confession, 1632; Mennonite Confession, 1963/2015; Merriam-Webster-Webster, 2025).
It is an interesting subject and one that is controversial in our contemporary society.
Resources
Dordrecht Confession of Faith. (1632/2025). Baptist Center of Theology. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from nots.edu/Baptist_center_theology/confessions/Dordrecht_Confession_of_Faith.pdf.
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (n.d.). IEP A peer-reviewed academic resource. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from IEP.utm.edu/pacifism/#H1.
Mennonite Confession of Faith (1963/2015). Keystone Mennonite Fellowship. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
Mercian-Webster. (2025). Merriam-Webster-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from Mercian-Webster.com/dictionary/nonresistance.
Hi Keith,
A significant story in the Bible related to self-defense is in Genesis 14. After Abram heard that his nephew had been taken captive, Abram armed his 318 trained servants to pursue the captors. After defeating the captors, he brought back his nephew as well as all the other people and goods which were taken. Then the priest of the most high God, Melchizedek, shared bread and wine with Abram and blessed him. The lesson is clear. Abram was prepared. His servants were already trained. And Abram was blessed for exercising the right of self-defense.
Great article. Thanks for the research and info on the different ideas, beliefs, and scriptures about this topic. This is something I'm always trying to understand better. As I've had the chance to serve on my church's safety team and interact with some angry people, I'm realizing that I've had an incomplete view of how to serve in this ministry. I think I've subconsciously assumed that the nice, Christian part of me welcomes and greets people, and then I need to switch to a warrior (non-Christian) part of me to deal with threats. However, I'm starting to realize that as a Christian, with the Holy Spirit's help I can love people in the middle of their anger and help them de-escalate, and that if I need to protect others I can do so out of love as well. I certainly haven't reached the destination of where I want to get to, but I'm on a journey of learning how to be an integrated person who finds my identity in Christ and trusts Him in all parts of my life. Thanks for the helpful info, I really appreciate and enjoy all you do to serve and bless so many of us who care about protecting others. God bless you.
Thank you Keith! I found your training well researched and objectively presented. I appreciate the time and effort you put into it, especially your scripture references. You are a blessing to us in the church safety and security ministry. Praying God’s continued favor and protection over your ministry and family.
An excellent summary and conclusion.
I think it's important to note that most progressives, whether "Christian" or not cite the commandment as "Thou shalt not kill." Which, of course we know is in inappropriate interpretation.
If you ever watched The Unit, there was a great episode which focused on this very thing. Very well written.
Thank you for your research and thoughts on this Keith. Much appreciated.