Hero pastor with a gun

If you didn't have guns on the streets you wouldn't need to make a pastor into a murderer.

 

Actually, iof we do not allow alw abiding citizens to have guns, the bad guy REALLY run rampant!

 

No cars, no driving accidents!

 

“IF” ——— If wishes were horses, beggars would ride!!!!

 

You clearly don't understand plain English. Acting in self defense and/or defense of others is not murder in any way, shape, or form: legally, morally, ethically, Biblically. Do you have a dictionary? Look up the word "murder," and try not to slander a good man next time.

 

"Thou shalt not kill"

 

Well that is your country. In our country we don't allow the bad guys to have guns either and on the most part we manage it.

 

“....for the most part....”. Snork.

How’s that going with knives ?

 

I don't think we can justify self defense from the New Testament. Jesus told us to take the cross, not the sword. And no examples exist of christians doing anything but this. Taking the cross = taking a bullet for someone else, not killing the executioner.

 

I read the article. Maybe I missed something, but I didn't see anything about gunman being killed. Only that he was shot and being treated.

If you can find where the gunman died, please show me.

Hero

 

Bearing the cross is suffering persecution for your faith.

 

It also means a willingness to die a defenseless death for your faith.

 

You are correct.

But, this was not a case of religious persecution. This was a mentally disturbed man shooting people.The pastor put himself in harms way and most likely saved lives.

He is a hero for his family and community, not a martyr for his faith.

 

How does your position square with Jesus telling the Pastor to put away the sword and take the cross?

 

Well, I think Jesus told Peter to put away his sword after Peter cut off a servant's ear trying to protect Jesus from being arrested, not this pastor.

This question has been around for 2000 years. Are Christians allowed to defend themselves with force?

Clearly, scripture tells us that in cases of religious persecution the answer is no. Christians should not fight back. They persecuted Jesus, it will persecute you.

What about self-defense in non religious persecution events? If someone breaks into my home and attacks my wife or daughter, as a Christian can I protect them to the best of my ability?

Can I use force to restrain or engage the attackers for just a few moments, giving my family a chance to get away?

What if, during that struggle, the attacker hits his head and dies? Have I acted against the commands of Jesus by protecting my family? Have I committed murder?