Christianity should make you a pacifist, YOU personally have no reason whatsoever to go to a war you took no part in starting, to fight people you've never met and would likely get along with in better circumstances, for a cause that is contrary to the plan of universal peace that was Christ's, which has never been the political agenda of any nation since Christ.
If I were oppressed like say Ghandi or Martin Luther king or the early church Christians, I mean really oppressed not like someone who's car space is taken at the last minuit and pride is hurt, who should forgive instantly, then violent self defence is futile as well as sinful, I must use my legal rights to protect myself whilst trying to convince others of my case through peaceful debate and negotiation, only then can I say to God I did all I could to bring your peace to earth
In terms of self defence against muggers ect I'm not sure, I don't see how it's Christian to let someone you love get hurt whilst you are a capable defender, but this also must not be taken lightly and the bare minimum of defence needed must be used
I would say not. The Apostles were armed with bladed weapons, for utilitarian purposes but of course also fend against highwaymen. Luke 22 shows that Jesus suggested they sell clothes to purchase such armaments, likely to prepare them for the near future as protection and also for utility purposes.
Of course, it's also important to note that excessive violence is always discourage as has been pointed out by others here, so I won't repeat them. Essentially, do what is necessary to protect life, but only what is necessary. I would suggest one avoid going all "Death Wish" with that in mind.
3.It is, however, lawful to wound or even to kill our fellow-man, if he threatens to take our life by violence, or anything that is absolutely indispensable to our life, and we have no other means of defence. This is called the right of self-defence.
Self-defence is not wrong, because our object is not to take another man s life, but simply to preserve our own; and the moral worth of an action is determined by that which is, not by that which is not its object. We are permitted to defend, but by no means to avenge ourselves; hence if we can save ourselves by flight, we ought to do so. If it is enough to wound our adversary we must stop short there. Above all, a woman is justified in defending herself against any one who attempts to violate her chastity. We are also permitted to kill any one in order to save the life of a third party; this Moses did when he slew the Egyptian who was striking one of the He brews (Exod. ii. 12). It is only lawful to put to death one who un justly seizes our property, if he lays hands on what is absolutely necessary to our existence, for then it is our life that we are defending. It is not right to shoot a robber who carries off something of no great value; nor can we plead the right of self-defence if it is only our honor that is wrongfully attacked.
