Intro

This blog gains its name from the book Steele's Answers published in 1912. It began as an effort to blog through that book, posting each of the Questions and Answers in the book in the order in which they appeared. I started this on Dec. 10, 2011. I completed blogging from that book on July 11, 2015. Along the way, I began to also post snippets from Dr. Steele's other writings — and from some other holiness writers of his times. Since then, I have begun adding material from his Bible commentaries. I also re-blog many of the old posts.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Killing in Self-Defense

QUESTION: What proof is there in the Bible that it is right to kill in self-defense?


ANSWER: Such an act needs no justification by the Bible, because the instinct of self-preservation is divinely implanted for the very purpose of instantaneous resistance to violence which may cause the death of the assailant. The religion of Jesus Christ does not condemn the healthful action of any one of our primary instincts. He is discussing the lex talionis, the practice of personal retaliation, when he says, "resist not evil," in Matt. 5:39. In the case of the midnight burglar, killed in the act of breaking in, no guilt was incurred. Ex. 22:2, 3.

 — Steele's Answers pp. 63, 64.

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