We quote Jo. iii.16 when an intruder enters our home
Quite simply, no. Of course, all we can consider are hypotheticals at the moment. Consider this one.
A man (a man in this case because we men tend to be the macho, hunter-gatherer, defender of the family types) is at home, with his wife and kids, chillin’ and watchin’ the first season of Heroes so they can catch up before season three starts, sippin’ their homemade cappuccinos or iced lattes, when someone pries open the back door, runs into their living room brandishing a crowbar and a Saturday Night Special, and screams something about wanting their money, DVD player, the first two seasons of Heroes, the four seasons of Lost, the complete SportsNight series and the first three seasons of The Office . . . or someone’s going to get hurt.
The man—the husband and father, provider for the home—owns a gun. It’s not likely the gun is anywhere near them at the time. Unless of course the guy is The Professional and has guns stashed in every nook and cranny. Realistically the gun is hidden in the bedroom, or in a closet up high. There’s a lock involved and the gun is not loaded.
Let’s start with the idea of self-preservation, and violence as the only option available. Am I to believe that absent the guy’s gun he should straight jump the intruder and beat the unholy crap out of him? If violence is the only option then fists better be faster than bullets here. That intruder will see him reaching for the table lamp or the butter knife.
I am not trying here to convince you to go the way of the pacifist. I am merely pointing to another way. Christ became flesh and dwelt among us to show us another way, and he gave us clear guidance on what we are to do in all cases: love. I can’t tell you the specific details of what to do in all cases. I can’t even tell you what to do in any specific situation. But we do have guidance. We know we are to love regardless. And we do have a nonviolent option.
Taking the above situation, did you ever think about offering the intruder a meal? Some of you snickered, eh? Thought that was a stupid idea before even considering the possible ramifications? Sure. But, tell me: who among you can predict the future with any certainty? Who can tell me exactly what will happen?
Evil can never (in no way) be subdued by evil. If killing is evil then Christians cannot kill. Ever. Period. Pacifists believe nonviolence offers far more options, brings about far more opportunities, than does violence. Violence only begets violence, not peace. We actively consider nonviolent ways of handling different circumstances. We look to Christ for our guidance, not our own machismo or pride. At least we try to. Those who look to violence first put Christ second.
