Actually, I was talking about the church in Ft Worth where the assailant killed 2-3 people before being killed by security. I believe the shooting you’re referring to was the one where 20 some of people were killed.
Regardless, martyrdom would seem to require some intent and foreknowledge by the martyred. I.e., they know that their death and persecution are likely and or imminent by worshipping etc. While a general level of persecution is certainly felt at any church I would submit that nearly 100% of worshipers attend without actual fear or certainty that that day’s actions would lead to their death because of Christ. They didn’t die for Jesus any more than some private who dies in a car accident on base dies for his country. They died in the service but not of the service.
The amount of whack jobs out there wanting to target congregations has increased to then point that many churches have taken steps to no longer present themselves as soft targets, but it’s a threat that’s out there in the ether rather than beating on the door.
I didn’t move the goal posts regards to taking a life to save others. I was specifically thinking of defending my family in the case of a home invasion or something similar, but, yes, I would feel no guilt about taking the life of someone who started popping kids in the car line at a school or walked into a Luby’s for the shooting buffet.
You have stretched the field by suggesting that I’m talking about attacking others first just in case. Nope. I’m talking straight self defense homie.
You’ve got some strange ideas about what’s heretical and go to great length to try and connect verses at odd angles to justify your position on self defense. We all do that to some extent, but that’s your cross to bear. I’ve never heard anyone at any church from very strict baptist to the new coffee, pop rock and Jesus affairs advocate for premeditated killing for self defense or call a more nominal definition of self defense murder. Even his popeness has a well trained and armed guard, and they’re certainly not offensive in nature.
Ive never been to a cowboy church. The only one I can think of is off 45 near Huntsville I think. So I’m not trying to support anything they do. I don’t know what they do. Just having a back and forth about what caught me as a very strange interpretation of scripture to my eyes.