When is restitution required?

Question: I’m aware that I am very scrupulous. I’ve become very very numb to God because on one end I’m entirely too obsessive and want to be perfect. Then on the other end, I become numb to avoid trying to gain perfection. I’ve quit jobs due to my religious anxiety and feeling the need to…

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Why do some Christians hold fast to the idea of owning guns?

Question: Could someone explain to me why there are some Christians who hold fast to the idea behind the second amendment and owning guns? I’ve looked in the Greek text and there are no commands about self-defense or owning weapons. I understand in the Hebrew, that there are specific instances where Israel was commanded to…

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Grace and the Self-Defense Debate

by Matthew W. Bassford A few weeks ago, in the wake of the West Freeway shooting, I put up a blog post (Self-Defense and Public Order) that argued that Christians have the right to defend themselves from murderous criminals. To my complete lack of surprise, this proved controversial. Everybody kept their comments civil, so I…

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A Bible and a Gun

by Bryan Matthew Dockens In his hit song “The Wanderer” Johnny Cash sang, “I went out walking with a Bible and a gun”. Regardless of Cash’s intent with these lyrics, it is an interesting image to ponder. These two objects – a copy of the sacred text and a lethal weapon – are seen by…

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How do you do good when you live in a dangerous country?

Question: Hello, I am a member of a church of Christ and have been continuously blessed by the spiritual resources on your website. May God continue to provide you with the effort to keep this work going. Amen. You will be surprised how many people around the globe with good heart comes to your website…

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Is someone who kills in self-defense still a murderer?

Question: If a Christian commits a murder in self-defense is he still a murderer? In the Old Testament, they had a place called the cities of refuge, if I’m not mistaken. How about in this present time? What does the New Testament tell us? I need your insight on this. Answer: The cities of refuge…

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Self-Defense and The Use of Force

by Tim Haile The recent escalation of violence and an unprecedented expansion of government power is forcing more and more people to consider the question of self-defense. Is it right to use physical or lethal force to protect oneself or others? The question is not new. Cycles of controversy over the question can be traced…

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Is it wrong to defend yourself?

Question: What if you are a Christian and someone attacks you after you walk away from them? Should you retaliate back or just take the assault? Most would just fight back. I want to know if it’s wrong in God’s eye to defend yourself? Answer: One does not retaliate, that would be vengeance. “If it…

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Does God condemn pedophilia, rape, or self-defense?

Question: I saw your web posting about “Animal Rights and the Bible.” I am glad to know there are people like you out there who can boldly say you hold God’s word as the ultimate authority. Many Christians today twist God’s word to fit their own feelings and forbid what God has not forbidden. I…

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Vengeance

by Keith Sharp via Truth Magazine XXIII: 34, pp. 554-556, August 31, 1979 “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other…

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