The news often reveals what we already know as police officers: Law Enforcement is a dangerous profession. Whenever I read about a shooting or on-duty death, I am reminded of the gravity and responsibility each of us bears as we wear the uniform and uphold our duty to protect and serve. Each event and reported incident provides an opportunity to remember the sacrifices made by those who serve or die to protect our liberties. It’s also an opportunity for us, as Christian police officers, to think about what God says about the rare, but sometimes necessary, use of deadly force. As Christians, should we ever advocate the use of such force, or is committed pacifism the only true expression of our Christian Worldview?
Most Christians accept the idea that some uses of deadly force are necessary and justified from a Biblical perspective. Scripture supports this understanding in the following ways:
The Old Testament Advocated the Use of Deadly Force
God did not prohibit “killing” in the Ten Commandments. Instead, God prohibited “murder” that involved intentional “malice”. The Old Testament allowed for several forms of justifiable homicide, including homicides committed in self-defense or in the defense of one’s home (Exodus 22:2) and homicides committed when trying to protect the life of an innocent third party (Exodus 2:11-12 and Genesis 14:14-16). These two guiding justifications for homicide were employed by God himself as he occasionally directed the nation of Israel, and these two exceptions are still in place across the United States in the Penal Codes of each state.
The New Testament Also Advocates the Use of Deadly Force
Jesus clearly told his followers that His teaching was consistent with the Old Testament instruction that preceded Him (Matthew 5;17-20), even as He introduced a new covenantal agreement with mankind related to Salvation. In addition, the New Testament affirms the justified use of force in the following ways:
Jesus Believed in Justifiable Aggressive Action
Jesus was quick to act aggressively to defend what He believed was right (see John 2:13-16). Jesus violently turned over the tables in the temple and His actions were warranted by the just nature of His cause.
Jesus Called for the Use of the Sword
Jesus told his disciples to arm themselves with swords (see Luke 22:36). At the very least, Jesus called his disciples to prepare themselves for their own defense. And the sword (an instrument that can be used to kill someone) was evidently allowable in the eyes of Jesus.
Jesus and John Never Condemned the Duty of Soldiers
Both Jesus and John shared the same perspective on the appropriate use of force. Maybe that’s why Jesus never commented negatively on any soldier he ever came in contact with (see Matthew 8:5-12). In addition, John the Baptist never scolded the soldiers who came to be baptized (see Luke 3:12-14). In fact, while he admonished them not to extort money or accuse people falsely, he never told them to accept a position of pacifism.
Paul Affirmed the Occasional Need for Deadly Force
Paul recognized the fact that government has the authority to use deadly force as it “bears the sword” (see Romans 13:1, 3-4) and Paul did not deny the government’s authority to execute him if the government found that Paul had done evil (see Acts 25:9-11).
Jesus Will Use Justifiable Deadly Force
With all this in mind, it’s much easier to understand and accept the way that Jesus is then depicted in the Book of Revelation, where he is described as a warrior at End Times (see Revelation 19:11-21).
Even though these passages of Scripture advocate the rare but justified use of deadly force, many Christian pacifists have argued that Jesus’ teaching related to “turning the other cheek” (Matthew 5:38-41) prohibits Christians from using force of this kind. Notice, however, that Jesus talks about being struck on the “right” cheek in this passage in Matthew’s gospel. Many Biblical scholars have noted that such a blow would have to be delivered by an attacker using his right hand in a backhanded manner. In the Jewish culture of Jesus’ day, such a blow was an act of disrespect more than it was an act of physical aggression. In this context, Jesus was simply teaching that we are to restrain ourselves from answering insult with insult. This passage has nothing to do with the justifiable use of force in order to protect oneself or protect the life of an innocent third party. While God may not remove the danger we face, He promises to be with us in the moment, providing wisdom and clarity to guide our actions. Share on X
These two justifications (self-protection and protecting an innocent third party) ought to guide us as we examine our motivations as police officers. This sort of force ought to be rare and carefully justified. While we may disagree on the valid justification for a specific use of force in the past, each of us must wrestle with the proper justification for using such force in the future. As Jesus-followers, these decisions must be filtered through our Christian worldview. While God may not remove the danger we face, He promises to be with us in the moment, providing wisdom and clarity to guide our actions.
J. Warner Wallace is a Dateline featured cold-case homicide detective, popular national speaker and best-selling author. He continues to consult on cold-case investigations while serving as a Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He is also an Adj. Professor of Christian Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and a faculty member at Summit Ministries. J. Warner presently serves as a chaplain for his agency and holds a BA in Design (from CSULB), an MA in Architecture (from UCLA), and an MA in Theological Studies (from Gateway Seminary).
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Devin
August 3, 2021 at 8:41 pm
The pro life and pro death penalty are polar opposite positions. The killing of an unborn child is murder of an innocent person, which God commands us not to do. A death penalty is carried out by the government against a person who has been found guilty of murder and God allows for the government to use this punishment. Jim outlines this very clearly in the post, e.g. Roman’s 13.
Steve
October 24, 2021 at 10:54 am
Great article! I remember years ago when I was still on the job, I talked to my minister about deadly force on the job and he gave me basically told me the same things that are in this article. Wonderfully written.
Mark W
August 4, 2021 at 4:51 am
I love the story about turning the other cheek. I have only heard it told this way a few times in my life. Too many Christians believe that to mean be passive and take yet another blow. We need to understand the culture and times that Jesus walked in to understand His words for us today.
Robert Titus
January 13, 2022 at 6:36 pm
“While God may not remove the danger we face, He promises to be with us in the moment, providing wisdom and clarity to guide our actions.”
One day, working undercover Drug Enforcement with our civilian clothes, long hair and riding in an undercover vehicle, a bright red Thunderbird, my partner and I were accosted by 2 men in another vehicle on the highway next to us. They apparently had a problem with my partner’s driving, so they pulled up next to us and pointed handguns at us. My partner took immediate evasive action, braking and getting behind them. Meanwhile, I’m on the radio that was hidden in the glovebox, calling the local barrack and advising of the situation. I had just gotten out our location and what had just happened before my partner was forcing the other vehicle off the road. We came to a stop behind the vehicle with our vehicle still occupying most of the roadway’s right lane. We bail out, ID in the left hand and our weapons in the right hand. We ordered the men out at gunpoint from a distance. My partner had good cover because of the orientation of our T-Bird. He had the car door and the engine block for cover. I had no cover or even concealment because of the orientation of our T-Bird. Both men got out of their vehicle, gun still in hand. Now, I have both hands on my weapon, my sights lined up on this guy and the gun is in his hand, elbow half-cocked, but still hanging down by his side. It took several commands, I don’t remember exactly how many, before he finally let the gun drop from his hand. I was applying at least 4 pounds of an 8 pound trigger pull when he finally let his weapon drop. It was nothing less than the Lord working through me that allowed me to wait until that last nanosecond before finishing that first trigger pull.
Throughout my career in law enforcement, I always felt a confidence, a strength beyond my own capacity that I know guided me through some hairy encounters and I know where it came from. Always at the right time and in the right measure, the Lord was there.
ava1enzue1a
August 20, 2022 at 2:18 pm
#amen #godisgood #jesussaves #backtheblue #backthebadge #bluelivesmatter 🤍✝️💙