Christianity and the Police

Lately, I have received several comments from people who question or do not believe in the need for firearms.

They comment that the only weapon is the word of God - the Bible. I agree with them that the Bible is better than a double-edged sword and that it is good to instruct, convict, correct in justice.

But what if a threatening or dangerous situation occurs? How do you defend yourself without a firearm? Especially if the criminal is armed? How will they respond in this case?

You basically have two options - try to defend yourself to the best of your ability or call the police. You can also flee from danger, but when you are at home, where do you go? We all know that when seconds count the police are minutes away.

But if you, as a Christian, don't believe in the use of weapons, why call the police? And what if the cop is a Christian? How can he or she use his weapon? Doesn't the Bible say "You shall not kill?"

Could it be that there are two Christianisms - one for you and one for the police and the military?

Where does this confusion come from?

I believe that the confusion begins in the interpretation of the sixth commandment "You shall not kill," Exodus 20:13.

If we study the root of this word in Hebrew (Rsh), we realize that it means murder, which is the deliberate death of a human being. It is not just killing (harag 0 hiphil). It is killing with premeditation.

When you defend yourself from a threat and the criminal dies in the process, this is not homicide because there was no premeditation, but a defensive reaction to a threat.

It must be said that for the act of self-defense, no firearm is needed. It should even be the last option. If it is possible to stop the threat using another way, for example, pepper spray, escape, etc. it is much better.

Remember that in the time of the Bible there were no pistols or revolvers, but even there were homicides and justified deaths.

Now, what happens in the case that a policeman is a Christian? If killing is not allowed under any circumstances, how does it do its job and defend ourselves?

Clearly there are not two Bibles or two Christianities. There is only one Bible and one Christianity.

The Bible prohibits murder, but allows justifiable killing. For example, the death penalty (Num. 35:30) and self-defense (Exodus 22: 2).

Logically, this extends to military service. That exists to protect our country.

This is clearly seen in the book of Nehemiah 4: 15-18, when the Jewish people were building the wall of Jerusalem.

To protect the people from the enemy, half of the workers built the wall while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and breastplates. But they both had a sword strapped to their waist. Very similar to carrying a concealed weapon today.

They weren't looking for a fight, but they were ready to defend themselves if the enemy attacked.

This is the same for us today. We have and carry weapons to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

We do not seek lawsuits, but if the dangerous threat comes to us, we protect ourselves.

It is the same with the police and military. As the Bible says in Romans 13: 3-6 - "He does not bear [the] sword in vain."

In conclusion, if you decide not to have a firearm for personal protection as a personal right given by God and noted in the second amendment of the United States Constitution, it is your decision.

But that does not imply that those who do decide to have a firearm are outside of what the Bible or Christianity says. It also applies to Christians serving in the police or military.