Christians and Self Defense (Nigeria)

And [Mordecai] wrote in the king Ahasuerus's name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: In which the king granted the Jews who were in every city to assemble, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, (Esther 8:10-11)

Haman had caused a royal decree that on a certain date, any and all citizens could rise up and kill God's people. He branded them outlaws -- outside the protection of the law.

After Esther and Mordecai exposed Haman's plot and brought him to justice, they needed a remedy for the king's irrevocable decree. It came in the form of a new decree that asserted the Jews' right to self defense.

Their move achieved the desired outcome:


The Jews assembled in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people. (Esther 9:2)

It seems that, in one African nation at least, Christians who have suffered violence at the hands of their Muslim countrymen have gotten the message: Self defense is a legitimate option for Christians.

"The consensus is that the Christian community nationwide will be left with no other option than to respond appropriately if there are any further attacks on our members, churches and property," said the leader of the Christian Association of Nigeria, an umbrella group of the country's churches. (From a BBC report)

Ayo Oritsejafor made that statement came in response to an Islamic campaign of violence against Christians that culminated in the slaughter of 40 churchgoers on Christmas day. 

He said the attacks were "considered as a declaration of war on Christians and Nigeria as an entity," and that while he did not want to encourage acts of revenge, "Christians should protect themselves... in any way they can". (Ibid.)

If the time comes to lay down your life as a martyr for Christ, do so with dignity and joy that you will soon be in His presence. But if the orcs seek, outside the pale of law, to take you by violence, remember Mordecai and the lessons from the Book of Esther.