christian police?

Question

a little something i have trouble understanding.A friend of mine is a cop and is a very decent bloke,he says he is a strict christian,goes to church every sunday etc but come monday morning he straps on a side arm and goes on patrol.my problem is if i was a christian i would not place myself in a position where i might have to kill someone,i know all about protecting the public and upholding the law but by putting on that weapon you put yourself in a position to break the christian law of thou shall not kill,i find it a little hypocritical

Answer 1

Luke 22:36 -- Then said he [JESUS] unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword [common weapon of THAT period], let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Having a deep respect for ALL life, I hope NEVER to be put in a position to seriously hurt OR kill anyone. But I'll not allow anyone to deprive my children or my wife of a father or husband while I'm trying to uphold the law for decent people and THEIR families.

A Christian cop's model approach to law enforcement should be Micah 6:8 -- Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.

Romans 13 speaks of God having ordained the powers that be -- including "ministers of Justice" -- and says that we don't bear the sword in vain (for no reason).

Answer 2

I think you are a little confused as to the meaning of KILL! To kill someone is the taking of anothers life by means of force and violent actions. Self defense and the protecting of the citizens in the area you are assigned is not murder. I carry a gun, concealed on me every day, for which I have a permit. I also consider myself a christian and if in the process of protecting another human against an attack of a violent nature, I had to take a life, I would not have any doubts about my standing as a christian. What you are saying is that if you have friends or even family right now in Iraq fighting and they took a life they could not be a christian anymore. I have many family members who were in the service at war times. My dad, Pearl Harbour at 14yrs old U.S. Navy, Brother in law Viet Nam airborne, 187 guys in his unit left, only 13 came back. I myself 1982-1986 Lebanon/ Grenada. Don't shame the fallen by mixing the translation between killing and murder

Answer 3

The literal translation of the commandment from the ancient Greek is "Thou shall not murder". I agree that an officer of the law walks a fineline when on patrol. I have a wonderful friend, recently retired, who was the first black woman to wear a gold badge in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was given money and some latitude to start a program for black kids 20 years or so ago. Instead of taking them to the gym for some hoops, she created a tutoring and mentoring program with the help of one or more of the Tuskeegee Airmen that got these kids ready to fly solo. They were able to stay in the program for more flying lessons by continueing to help the younger kids. She did this with a wing and a prayer. Her strong faith in God and a stong constitution saw her program succeed.

Answer 4

Here's an additional thought that might be of some interest. Realizing the rate of crime, or just the crime statistics that include murder, rape, drunk driving and wreckless driving, etc., that policeman who straps on a firearm, and who does put himself in a place where he might have to kill, also, by that very behavior, prevents other people from killing, and killing many more people than he may ever kill in his whole career. I'd rather be the Christian policeman who prevents the deaths of hundreds and maybe even thousands in a career, than a civilian who buries their head in the sand by their "holiness" and allows people to kill by the hundreds and thousands. And aren't those who try to ignore the facts just as guilty of murder as the criminal, or even the Christian policeman you're so easily and eagerly pointing your finger at? Yes, they are. As the old saying goes, ignorance is no excuse. God, as in Jesus THE Christ, Bless you.

Answer 5

Hmmmm......... the bible speaks of Christians fighting and killing.

Men may defend their homes and families. Men may defend themselves. Both Jacob and Moses were attacked by God or an angel. Both fought through the night in self-defense. Lamech in Genesis killed in self-defense. David took a sword and ran from Saul, determined to fight if need be. Killing in self-defense is not murder.

Proverbs 20:18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

Proverbs 24:6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.

If all people were good Christians then a lot of us would be out of a job.

I think God understands when someone forces me to use violence against them.

Answer 6

An irrational position. The enforcement of the law is a noble endeavor -- no matter from what religious perspective. In today's society, the police need to have guns -- nothing's hypocritical about it.

Answer 7

Well I'm not telling anyone what religion, if any, they should be...but there is a difference between murder and defending one's self or others against a threat to life. I'm sure God would see that difference also. Maybe you should ask several pastors/preacher's local to your area what they're take on that subject is.

Answer 8

Strictly speaking, the commandment is, "Thou shalt not *murder*' - meaning to take life unjustly. If you read the Old Testament, you will see that God kills and commands killing on a massive scale. Many of these are - by our society's standards - trivial and malicious killings, which suggests that God has a pretty loose definition of 'murder.' Nonetheless all cultures, including ours, make a distinction between the lawful and unlawful taking of life. Provided that a policeman does not kill unjustly - as best we can understand God's opinion on the matter - it is not hypocrisy to do so.

Answer 9

Here's what the bible says:
Exod. 20:13 "Thou shall not MURDER."
Matt. 19:18 "Jesus said: "Thou shall not murder."
Prov. 6:17 "These six things God hates...Shedders of innocent blood."
Luke. 26:36 Jesus said: "Buy a sword..."
Matt. 26:52 "He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword."
Rom 13:4 "The magistrate beareth not the sword in vain."
John 15:13 "GREATER LOVE HAS NO MAN THAN THIS: THAT HE GIVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS"

Answer 10

I was a police officer for 10 years and never pulled my weapon on anyone ( thank God )
Before becoming a police officer I always prayed to God to allow me to become a police officer IF it was His will.
My question to you is :
What's the difference between our christian soldiers in war and a police officer,who is more likely to kill ? ?