Does the Sixth Commandment justify resistance to tyranny?

Question

I ask this is relation to the Nazi period, about which I'm doing research. One of my sources refers to "the doctrine of the Reformed Church, which exhorts Christians to resist in accordance with the second table of the Commandments," referring in particular to the Sexth Commandment, "Thou shalt not kill." In investigating this I learned that some interpretations of this Commandment justify wars of self-defense, and I assume this is what my source was referring to. So my question is, is resistance to tyranny equivalent to a war of self-defense under the Sixth Commandment?

Part of my research, obviously, concerns Bonhoeffer, who was among the more radical of the Confessing Church leaders in Germany--I'm not using "radical" in a negative sense, mind, just stating the fact; Bonhoeffer eventually turned to political resistance, joining the conspiracy against Hitler, when the Confessing Church proved to be not quite forceful enough. So I think Bonhoeffer is an excellent example to look to.

Answer 1

Actually civil allegiance and its exception, resistance to tyranny, are closer to the Commandment to honor your parents (and any lawful authority).

Civil allegiance is the duty of loyalty and obedience which a person owes to the country of which he is a citizen.

Citizens are obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities that are contrary to
+ The demands of the moral order
+ The fundamental rights of persons
+ The teachings of the Gospel.

Refusing obedience to civil authorities, when their demands are contrary to those of an upright conscience, finds its justification in the distinction between serving God and serving the political community.
+ Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. (Matthew 22:21)
+ We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)

Armed resistance to oppression by political authority (similar to the just war theory) is not legitimate, unless all the following conditions are met:
+ There is certain, grave, and prolonged violation of fundamental rights
+ All other means of redress have been exhausted
+ Such resistance will not provoke worse disorders
+ There is well-founded hope of success
+ It is impossible reasonably to foresee any better solution

The just war theory is an exception to the Commandment not to murder.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Dear nacman,

My understanding of the commandment thou shall not kill- is that the idea of killing carries with it a inner desire to do harm to another individual. In cases of self-defense and war i think its justifiable and God is a God who loves justice and punishes wickedness and he has left that to the government which must give an account to him personally. So for example if you are drafted into the army and have to kill in the line of duty- it is justifiable although you are still accountable in terms of opportunities to show mercy, etc.

i think a good example of resisting tyranny is the great preacher Bonhoeffer who was part of an attempt to assassinate Hitler.

hope that helps,

Nickster

Answer 3

This is something you might research as it relates to Jehovah's Witnesses in WWII Germany. They refused participation in anything related to the war and the government, so they ended up in the concentration camps with the Jews. There a program on the History Channel about Himmler talks about what he did to them.

Answer 4

In the full context of Scripture, I believe that the Bible supports the concept of a "just war", however, it's difficult to tell someone "God loves you and so do I", just prior to blowing his head off. World War 2 was a just war because it was fought to preserve civilization. I believe that the 6th Commandment refers specifically to murder.

Answer 5

Actually, the correct translation is "Thou shalt not murder." The Bible teaches that self-defense is justified and all main-stream preachers support this viewpoint. To submit to tyranny to the point of death is foolish. To submit when you have the ability to resist is foolish. Tyranny is devil spawn and we are to resist the devil with all of our might. I know that the Bible says not to resist an evil man, but this is usually grossly misinterpreted and misapplied. The correct application of this is to allow God to deal with the wicked as best as one can, but if it come down to kill or be killed, then killing is justified. Justified homicide is never murder, as the word applies biblicly. For a Christian to allow himself to be killed when he could save himself is allowing the devil to score an unnecessary victory.

Answer 6

Jesus said, turn the other cheek. No war is justifiable. Of coarse it's in our nature as humans to protect ourselves, but then again it's human nature to sin. According to the bible any killing is a sin, I personally don't believe I would go to hell for protecting myself if need be. I guess that means I don't completely believe in the bible.

Answer 7

Nope. Anyone who kills in unjustified. What happens in this world is not relevant to what's eternal, and tyranny (and all other evils) only exist in the context of separation that appears to be real here in the material world. That's the point of Jesus being crucified, among other religious myths.

Answer 8

first and excellent this commandment is about killing/murdering people. you should be a peta member. Secondly, what type of authentic information are you able to get out of "quite a few"? ultimately, i recognize a good number of hunters (i do not hunt) and ALL eat what they kill. No heads on their walls.