Self Defense

Are Christians allowed to kill in self defense? I am having a debate with someone right now and believe that they are not, citing these passages:

Romans 12:19 ESV: Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

Matthew 5:38-39 ESV: You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Earthly and Spiritual Bodies

In regards to 1 Corinthians Chapter 15: I have read many articles online that say after the second coming of Christ, everyone will be given a new resurrection body yet still live on earth for a period of time under God's reign. How are you interpreting these verses relative to our resurrection bodies and what they will be like? Are they the same thing -- both spiritual bodies? Or is it possible to have a new earthly body with the new spiritual one?

A Generational Curse?

The Bible talks about curses that last for generations. How can a born-again Christian be cursed or have a generational curse on them if God says you are cleansed white as snow without spot or blemish? Would not that be a new beginning? Being born again means nothing old, nothing attached? Would not Jesus' death have cancelled all of the past when he said it is finished?

"Jesus loved him."

Hello! I'm a Church of England ordinand preparing a sermon on Mark 10:17-31 - and I want to ask you what you make of v.21, "Jesus loved him".  I realise that this is the only time in the synoptic gospels that we have a mention of Jesus loving anybody - so it strikes me as significant. But what more to say about it, I don't know. Many thanks in advance!

Here be dragons?

The Bible contains certain passages that often uses the word 'dragon'. I've always wondered what this means. Are they talking about actual dragons, dinosaurs, serpents, or is 'dragon' used as a metaphor for how evil Satan and demons are?

Jesus & Medicine

Why don't Jesus and the Apostles ever recommend going to a physician? They certainly do not get around to each and every individual, and there are no claims of curing an entire group of people. Are they entirely ignorant or have no faith in ancient medicine? Such a suggestion is included in the Book of Sirach, Ecclesiasticus 38: 1-15. Also in 2 Chronicles 16:12, King Asa resorted to physicians for gangrene. In Mishnah Kiddushin 4:14, the best among physicians are destined for Gehenna.

LITERACY

UNDERSTANDING

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