self defense for preachers

[yamesu]

Most of the examples cited from biblical-texts are from the Old-Testament.

Christianity is the teachings of Jesus Christ. (The NEW testament.)

There is a BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG distinction in the views expressed within the Old and New testaments,

Old-testament teaches to take- "....an eye for an eye...."

whereas

New-testament teaches to- "...turn the other cheek..."

To be a true christian really entails following the teachings of Christ, and hence, a priest/pastor should never participate in a violent situation.

My 2c.

Cheers.

[elbows_and_knees]

Most of the examples cited from biblical-texts are from the Old-Testament.

Christianity is the teachings of Jesus Christ. (The NEW testament.)

There is a BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG distinction in the views expressed within the Old and New testaments,

Old-testament teaches to take- "....an eye for an eye...."

whereas

New-testament teaches to- "...turn the other cheek..."

To be a true christian really entails following the teachings of Christ, and hence, a priest/pastor should never participate in a violent situation.

My 2c.

Cheers.

read my last post again... that verse is from the book of matthew - new testament. It was said by Jesus to a few of His disciples.

Also, you may not have the choice of what situation you partake in. Should you WILLINGLY do so? No. But a man who gets assaulted while he's walking to his car should not just stand there and get beaten knowing that vengence is Jesus' either. He should fight back.

[yamesu]

Thats why i said MOST of the examples above.

Please dont be so quick to accuse me, when you have done the same thing.

For the record: If put in a situation where I felt threatened, Id have no problem in fighting my way out.

But,

Thats not really the way of Christianity.

Most of the cited violent acts in the bible happened before, during, or shortly after the life of Jesus. This is what I believe Jesus was aiming to rectify.

The diminishing of violent acts.

Also, the texts in the Bible were written by followers, NOT Jesus himself, hence; they are the interpretations of Jesus teachings, along with the emotion and thought of the person writing it.

If still in doubt, think about what Jesus went through to prove the act of peacefull protest. He had his scalp lacerated, his torso-side cut open, and bolts driven through his hands-ankles. All without throwing a single punch.

Cheers.

[cymry]

This is quite a simple thing to answer. Christians never use unnecessary violence. Sometimes violence is necessary... otherwise JESUS HIMSELF would not have told his disciples to go out and BUY A SWORD.

Jesus died because he had to. Violence at this point in his life was unnecessary and of no benefit in the plan of redemption.

[elbows_and_knees]

Thats why i said MOST of the examples above.

Please dont be so quick to accuse me, when you have done the same thing.

For the record: If put in a situation where I felt threatened, Id have no problem in fighting my way out.

But,

Thats not really the way of Christianity.

Most of the cited violent acts in the bible happened before, during, or shortly after the life of Jesus. This is what I believe Jesus was aiming to rectify.

The diminishing of violent acts.

Also, the texts in the Bible were written by followers, NOT Jesus himself, hence; they are the interpretations of Jesus teachings, along with the emotion and thought of the person writing it.

If still in doubt, think about what Jesus went through to prove the act of peacefull protest. He had his scalp lacerated, his torso-side cut open, and bolts driven through his hands-ankles. All without throwing a single punch.

Cheers.

Accuse you of what? i wasn't trying to accuse you of anything. My bad if I did.

What jesus did wasn't peaceful protest. He KNEW he was going to die. He could've blinked an eye and killed them all, but didn't because it was meant for him to die - he had to die in order to save us from our own sins.

"for God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have ever-lasting life"

isn't that john 3:16?

[cymry]

Can someone please give the original poster a link to Bob Orlando's article on Christianity and the martial arts.

[glockmeister]

For the record: If put in a situation where I felt threatened, Id have no problem in fighting my way out.

But,

Thats not really the way of Christianity.

Cheers.

Says who?

Jesus himself showed some righteous anger when he stormed the marketplaces and started knocking over the moneychangers tables and drove the animals and people out with whips and accused them of making his father's home a den of thieves.

There is nothing in the new testament that states not to fight to protect yourself or loved ones.

The idea of "turning the other cheek" was him talkign to his disciples who were to follow in his footsteps as was documented in the book of ACTs.

[yamesu]

Thinking about the topic of the post,

I believe it would be a better idea to hire security for times the churches are open,

as opposed to teaching preachers/pastors MA's.

Not to say that preachers-pastors wont benifit from learning about the nature of violent situations, prevention, de-escalation, assertive action, etc.

But i cant imagine a priest running after a ganger, beating him down with a 2foot silver cross.

[elbows_and_knees]

he wouldn't run after one - we are talking about self defense. If he is chasing the guy, then he is not defending himself. Coincidentally, I talked with a pastor last night who happened to be near the club I work security at. late at night, bums walk the street, and will harass you for money.

He stated hoe important it was NOT to have fear. He quoted "All things can be done through He who gives me strength" He also stated that if he had to defend himself that he is supposed to.

[BLACCBILLYJACC]

It's more than okay to defend yourself and your family.

Old Testament or new, it's all the word of GOD & Jesus is GOD, but that'll be a whole new thread also the bible was written by men that HE chose, Im think that we can agree that GOD's mighty enough to control what's being written about HIM for HIS purpose and for our benefit.

You know Grand Master Donnie Willams one of the founders of the BKF is a pastor & a member of the Christian Karate Association. (I'm sure they have a web site)

There's a pastor named Raul Rise at the Calvary Chapel of Diamond Bar,CA that's been training in San Soo Kung Fu and is a Master @ 5th dan,also he teaches at the church on Tuesday & Thursday.

I dunno how quick they could learn enough to defend themselves but they're gonna need GOD's protection from guns.