Wichita Falls, Texas, SWAT Officer Charlie Eipper lowered his head to his rifle, peered through his Simmons scope, searched for his target, and fired.
When he killed a man in the line of duty on Jan. 10, 1999, he was confident that Jesus Christ condoned — even supported — his use of deadly force.
He spelled out his convictions — and the Bible’s support for them — in his book “Jesus Christ on Killing,” self-published March 5.
The book is available on Amazon.
via Christ and self-defense: Police officer lays out biblical case for killing » Naples Daily News.
The seldom discussed subject of the legitimate killing of a human being and how does that mixes with Judeo/Christian values. As a Catholic (although in a long hiatus) I refer to the Catechism regarding the Fifth Commandment
2263 The legitimate defense of persons and societies is not an exception to the prohibition against the murder of the innocent that constitutes intentional killing. “The act of self-defense can have a double effect: the preservation of one’s own life; and the killing of the aggressor. . . . The one is intended, the other is not.”65
2264 Love toward oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality. Therefore it is legitimate to insist on respect for one’s own right to life. Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder even if he is forced to deal his aggressor a lethal blow:
If a man in self-defense uses more than necessary violence, it will be unlawful: whereas if he repels force with moderation, his defense will be lawful. . . . Nor is it necessary for salvation that a man omit the act of moderate self-defense to avoid killing the other man, since one is bound to take more care of one’s own life than of another’s.66
2265 Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for one who is responsible for the lives of others. The defense of the common good requires that an unjust aggressor be rendered unable to cause harm. For this reason, those who legitimately hold authority also have the right to use arms to repel aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their responsibility.
A burden we do not seek but we know we might face.
Thanks very much for finding these sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church that addresses use of force in self-defense. I wish I could easily reblog your post. Fascinating material as someone who has studied Roman Catholicism for years and is now getting into gun culture.
David, the contents of the blog are for anybody to use, of course attribution is always encouraged and appreciated.
There is one more point I left out and that is the reticence that some people have about defending themselves. You will hear the “I cannot kill anybody else and I rather die than hurt somebody to defend myself.” Although it seems “noble” (and rather stupid) a Rabbi explained that allowing ourselves to die when we have the means to defend ourselves is nothing more than suicide which it is a grievous sin for both faiths.
[…] Miguel at the Gun Free Zone blog posted recently about a new book by a Texas police officer called Jesus Christ on Killing. […]
Talmud Bavli, Berakot 58a: “the Torah has said: If a man comes to kill you, rise early and kill him first.”
[…] Miguel at the Gun Free Zone blog posted recently about a new book by a Texas police officer called Jesus Christ on Killing. […]
Good Point! Few people realize newer translations of the Bible say “Thou shall not Kill” – older versions say “Thou shalt not commit murder” – two very different things.