Summary: Welcome back and thank you for tuning into another episode of the Biblical Manhood Podcast! We have an interesting show for us to explore today. We will be continuing our look into the Biblical man mentioned as the “gatekeeper” or “doorholder” in Neh. 4:13. This time we will be talking about the weapon the gatekeeper holds in the hand opposite the one that works. Just a fair warning about today’s episode, it may get a tad controversial because we will be venturing into an area where many Christians differ greatly in the application of a practice known to the world as self defense. We will look at some text that may surprise you, no matter where you come down on the issue. Its a great thing for us to talk about in 2011, specially since the news about Osama caused something not seen in recent history: Christians rejoicing together with non-believers in the streets. So how does a Biblical man go about defending himself? If he gets mugged, is he supposed to fight back? If his loved ones are in trouble or being subject to imminent harm, is he supposed to ask the mean man to stop? Does he run? Does he offer his wife and child as gifts to the mean man? Back in the Old Testament the rule was simple, but hard: eye for an eye. Jesus fulfilled that in the new testament by blessing the peace-makers and rebuking many to give up their cloaks if someone would take their belongings. Today, in 2011, men have changed quite a bit. We are so much more unsure of ourselves. Toughness and violence are frowned upon and discouraged in almost every instance and cause. The death of Osama reminded me that our emasculated culture still has some place for praising violence if all collectively think it was “deserved.” Many times, men are led to make assumptions based on their observations of the world around them, rather than the truth inside them. Take sex, for example. The world around says to spread your seed and praises promiscuity. The truth is that sex was meant for a safe and most enjoyable framework: marriage. I’ve spoken with countless friends, believing and not, who wholeheartedly agree. I think we (modern men, and even Biblical men as a whole) have made a false assumption proposed by the world pertaining to violence and self defense. The world says that violence solves nothing and praises, here’s the keyword: tolerance. The truth is that violence is best exercised in the perfect justice of God. This, I think, is another concept even non-believers, though they may profess not to know God, understand. It is a part of this absolute truth, a common grace like the sun that shines on believers and non believers alike. It is very human to feel relief when justice is served. We don’t have to convince ourselves of it or be talked into feeling at peace when we can clearly see that justice was served. But what form does that perfect justice of God take? We will begin to look at a very deep question, close to the heart of defining Biblical manhood in today’s episode of the Biblical Manhood Podcast. Shownotes: Nehemiah 4 Self Defense Scriptures
