I heard this in a sermon that I was watching yesterday. If we're not to advocate hate and violence then why are we also supposed to hate all that is evil and what about self-defense?
Just where in the Holy Scriptures are you referencing that even suggests that a Christian cannot hate evil or exercise his/her right of self defense? It does not exist.......in Fact God presents a list of things the He finds to be an abomination. Abomination: Hate coupled with disgust. The entire premise about Hate and Self Defense are contradicted by the actual content of the Holy Scripture
THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE WORTHY OF HATRED
Prov. 6:16-19 lists 7 things that God finds to be abominations: 1. A proud look 2. A lying tongue 3. Hands that shed innocent blood 4. A heart that devises wicked ideas. 5. Feet that are swift in running toward mischief 6. Bearing false witness 7. Those who sow discord in the brotherhood.
Jesus was very "intolerant", in confronting these abominations mentioned above. God indeed is LOVE, but not only LOVE...there is a flip side to this coin when God is addressing evil. God hates evil so much that He once decided to wipe man completely from the face of the earth because man was using the gift of free will to propagate wickedness or evil, "And God saw the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." -- Genesis 6:5
God can be severe in dishing out "Justice".....to the point that God will cut you off and allow your reprobate mind to destroy your eternal soul ( Matthew 7:22-23, Romans 11:22). Jesus instructed His disciples to FEAR HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DESTROY BOTH BODY AND SOUL (Matthew 10:28)
Jesus confronted the evil being propagated by the "Pharisees and Sadducees" (Matthew 16:6, Matthew 23)........Jesus confronted them to their face and called them HYPOCRITES and EXTORTIONISTS, VIPERS, SERPENTS.
Jesus became angered and turned over the money tables at the Temple and began to whip those who were defiling the temple while conducting business.....He whipped them with a knotted cord. (John 2:15)
SELF DEFENSE? is more than allowed within the doctrine of Christianity..........Christians are instructed to live peaceably with all men....TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH IS POSSIBLE. (Rom. 12:18)
What is a Christian to do when His Life or Property are attacked without provocation and He/She's life is endangered?
Jesus instructed His disciples to arm themselves when He was sending them on a mission into a land that was known to be populated by murderers and road agents .........He told them to even sell their garments if they had to in order to arm themselves for self protection (Luke 22:35-38)
Read the parable about the strong man guarding His property..........Jesus states that when a man is well armed His property is at peace (Luke 11:21)
In fact the first gentile household to be converted to Christianity was the household of a Roman Soldier (Acts 10). There is no greater LOVE that exists than to lay down your life for a friend. (John 15:13)
