The Bible and self defense

OK, another interesting thing has come up. In my never ending surfing of the web, I came across a discussion of how one can interpret the Bible on the topic of self defense. To start, I consider myself spiritual but not exactly religious. I come from a christian background, and have at times called myself a Catholic and a Lutheran. I do not believe the Bible is the direct word of God, but that it was given to us by men with inspiration from God. So, please do not harangue me with any pro- or anti- Christian diatribes.

It is easy to fall upon the old standby every violent person uses "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe." (Exodus 21:24-25) But take a look at the entire paragraph, and it becomes less applicable to self defense:

(22)“When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman's husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. (23) But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, (24) eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, (25) burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe." (Exodus 21:22-25)

So in fact this refers to punishment, not self defense.

Much clearer to me is this:

"Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. (proverbs 25:26).

This is a collection of the wisdom of Solomon, and the phrase stands alone and intact, with no extraneous meaning or context.

Or

 "(3)Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. (4) Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” "(5) They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken." (Psalm 82:3-5)

And a final idea on training and self defense:

"(1) Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; (2) he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer,  my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me." (Psalm 144:1-2)

All this suggest to me that God expects us to use force in the defense or righteousness. There are many, many instances of God condemning man for acts caused by anger, cruelty, malice or greed. These all have no place in righteous self defense. But since we are made in God's image, we are mandated to care for those bodies and protect them:

(19) Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, (20) for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

 
But it isn't all gung-ho for battle. Being Christians, our goal is to lead our life in a Christ-like way. Violence is always the last resort, reserved for only the most dire and grave circumstances. Rather, your guiding idea through life as an armed civilian should be forgiveness:

(27) “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (28) bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. (29) To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. (30) Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. (31) And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.


(32) “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. (33) And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. (34) And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. (35) But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. (36) Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

(37) “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; (38) give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:27-38)

So, there in lies my recent musings about the christian ideals of self defense. I don't feel as though any one section gives me the right to do harm or violence. Nor does it say that I can never use strength or force to protect myself or those around me. What it does do, taken as a whole, is tell me that God expects me to use the good judgement He gave me, to understand and forgive those who are not my firends, but to also protect the corporial body and enlghtened spirit He gave me from harm if needed.

I can't ask for any more than that.