Justifiable Violence

Some Christian denominations such as the “Friends” and “Mennonites”eschew violence. All denominations are known by characteristics which set them apart from others. Views on violence and war is among those aspects. While any Christian denomination favors peace, most allow violence to be used as a means of self-defense, as a pre-emptive strike to avoid more violence or punishment for wrong-doers.
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One of my Mennonite friends and I were discussing violence. I asked him that if one of his family members were attacked, would he step in to protect? “No.” he said adamantly “I would depend on God to provide protection!” I then asked “What if you were God's chosen instrument?” There was no further discussion on his part. Is violence ever justifiable?

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Let's take a look at two cases.

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Cain and Abel (All KJV):

Genesis 4:8 “And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.” … “13” And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. “
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Moses and the Egyptian:

Exodus 2:11 “And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12 And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.” … 3:15 “And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.”
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These are two early examples of man's killing of man and both are to set a precedent for “justified violence” versus homicide.

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Cain slew Abel, an innocent, even pious man. What was the motive for murder? Cain was both selfish and jealous. He short-changed God in his offering (stealing) and was jealous of his own brother who received favor in God's eyes (covetousness). “Thou shalt not steal”, “Thou Shalt not covet” and “Thou shalt not kill” became three of the “Ten Commandments”. Cain also broke the first commandment because he valued “things” over God! Cain was an evil-doer. His murder of Abel was one of self-interest and unjustified violence. It was wrongful and sinful!

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In the second case Moses saw an Egyptian striking a fellow Hebrew. Hebrews were slaves and the Egyptians their taskmasters. The God of the Hebrews was the One True God “I AM”, whereas Egyptians, at that time, had a pantheon of Gods, all who were false. The Hebrews were used by force to provide sustenance and items of pleasure to the Egyptians, even build temples to honor Ramses. When they were tired, sick and hungry they were abused and even killed by their masters. (Please note from “Philemon” that slavery was an accepted form of managing an economy, but masters were to be fair, humane and just). Moses killed the Egyptian.

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Was Moses killing justifiable? I say yes. God rewarded Moses for his tender heart and principle to what's right! Whereas Cain became a slave to his toil, Moses became the tool of God who freed the Hebrews from slavery. He was chosen by God and is a picture of the coming Messiah! As Moses freed the Hebrew from Egypt (sin) Jesus freed mankind from sin. What an honor Moses had bestowed upon him!

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If we look at war many declare our country of executing “unjust wars”: Korea, Viet-nam, Cambodia, Bosnia, Iraq and some even Nazi Germany! Our country has a history of defending those living oppressed and enslaved by evil ideologies. Our defense of the defenseless, based on Scripture, is honorable and justified. War, although driven by the forces of evil, is divinely ordained. If one examines “Old Testament” incidences, God was always there to protect His people from the pagan nations, even in wars of offense. Likewise, in the Apocalyptic Wars, God will support His people against the forces of evil and we will win!

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On a personal level this reasoning also applies. Sgt. Alvin York was a Christian pacifist who didn't believe in violence or war. He was drafted (WWI) and after prayer, he went to the Europe and became a ferocious aggressor against evil, single-handedly killing and capturing hundreds of soldiers and tens of artillery. His actions, by taking lives, saved thousands, maybe millions, by helping to end a war against an evil aggressor. If only individual Christians had been as demonstrative twenty-five years later under the evil of National Socialism, Adolph Hitler, millions would have been saved! Hopefully, we'll protect ourselves against the evils of global socialism at the time of the Apocalypse.

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I've got my gun and will never use it for wrong. I will cerainly use it to protect self, loved ones, neighbors and the oppressed. The first privilege authoritarian governments usurp is the right to bear arms. Without arms we're defenseless and dictatorial regimes enslave. I thank God for the freedom to defend!