Deolexrex sent me this poem, and I think my readers will appreciate it. Here it is:
Friday, November 7, 2008
My Orders
i'm out of town (again), writing this in a motel room. My eyes are half closed, so this will be short.
Deolexrex sent me this poem, and I think my readers will appreciate it. Here it is:
My orders are to fight;
This should strike a chord with those who have been long in the battle. Stay true, guys.
Deolexrex sent me this poem, and I think my readers will appreciate it. Here it is:
My orders are to fight;
This should strike a chord with those who have been long in the battle. Stay true, guys.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Why Learn Tactics?
The Christian Martialist sheepdog trains to protect himself, his family, his church from the predators abroad in our society. He learns self-defense skills which probably include firearms. Okay, but why learn tactics?
Is a study of tactics necessary to deal with street thugs? Perhaps more than you think. Watch this video:
Note that this is not a propaganda piece from the anti-Bush liberal media. This appeared on what I would denominate as "establishment conservative" Fox News. It reveals some pretty nasty fallout from our wars in the Middle East.
Just remember, if you have a firearm of any kind, you will not lose a street battle primarily because you are outgunned; but you will certainly lose it if you are outmaneuvered.
Go to warskyl.com and click on Web Store. Read my comments on Phantom Soldier and The Tiger's Way.
Is a study of tactics necessary to deal with street thugs? Perhaps more than you think. Watch this video:
Note that this is not a propaganda piece from the anti-Bush liberal media. This appeared on what I would denominate as "establishment conservative" Fox News. It reveals some pretty nasty fallout from our wars in the Middle East.
Just remember, if you have a firearm of any kind, you will not lose a street battle primarily because you are outgunned; but you will certainly lose it if you are outmaneuvered.
Go to warskyl.com and click on Web Store. Read my comments on Phantom Soldier and The Tiger's Way.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Was David a Vigilante?
Continued from "Was Ehud a Vigilante?"
David, the shepherd king of Israel was forerunner to the Great Shepherd and King, Jesus. Before he ascended the throne, however, he spent years in the wilderness hiding from the jealous reigning king, Saul.
David did not spend his time in hiding idly. Neither, as some may suggest, did he engage in some form of partisan rebellion against the established order. He spent his time in the hinterlands demonstrating his kingly heart.
The Catechism for Children asks, "Why do you need a king?" The answer follows: "Because I am weak and helpless." It is the role of the king to protect the weak and helpless.
And that describes David's wilderness campaigns. For on the frontiers, there were raiders from among Israel's enemies that would swoop down to plunder Israelite settlements. But David, even when he lived among the Philistines, conducted raids against the raiders.
And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt. And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.
And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites. And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines.
(1Sa 27:8-11)
Later, when he and his men caught and killed the Amalekite raiders of Ziklag, he did not keep the spoil to himself, but gave it to those who may have suffered from previous robberies.
And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD;
(1Sa 30:26)
The testimony of Nabal's herdsmen concerning David and his men only corroborates this view.
They said,
But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.
(1Sa 25:15-16)
Saul was a self-involved man who knew little of what it really means to be king. He could not or would not protect the weak and helpless. David stepped in as a fugitive and did more that Saul with all his resources to stand between his people and those who would do harm.
Does this make him a vigilante? Well, not as we normally define vigilante as someone who acts completely outside of established authority.
For one thing, he held a place of authority as a military leader in Saul's army. More important, though, is the fact that, although he had not yet been formally invested as king, Samuel had anointed him to that office. What he did, he did as heir to the throne.
I don't believe we can use David as a Biblical precedent for vigilante activity.
There are people today, however who function in a law-enforcement capacity, do so separately from the police, and even have the blessing of a minority of civil officials. I will talk about them in another post, and I hope to analyze what they do from a legal and Biblical perspective.
David, the shepherd king of Israel was forerunner to the Great Shepherd and King, Jesus. Before he ascended the throne, however, he spent years in the wilderness hiding from the jealous reigning king, Saul.
David did not spend his time in hiding idly. Neither, as some may suggest, did he engage in some form of partisan rebellion against the established order. He spent his time in the hinterlands demonstrating his kingly heart.
The Catechism for Children asks, "Why do you need a king?" The answer follows: "Because I am weak and helpless." It is the role of the king to protect the weak and helpless.
And that describes David's wilderness campaigns. For on the frontiers, there were raiders from among Israel's enemies that would swoop down to plunder Israelite settlements. But David, even when he lived among the Philistines, conducted raids against the raiders.
And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt. And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.
And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites. And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines.
(1Sa 27:8-11)
Later, when he and his men caught and killed the Amalekite raiders of Ziklag, he did not keep the spoil to himself, but gave it to those who may have suffered from previous robberies.
And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD;
(1Sa 30:26)
The testimony of Nabal's herdsmen concerning David and his men only corroborates this view.
They said,
But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.
(1Sa 25:15-16)
Saul was a self-involved man who knew little of what it really means to be king. He could not or would not protect the weak and helpless. David stepped in as a fugitive and did more that Saul with all his resources to stand between his people and those who would do harm.
Does this make him a vigilante? Well, not as we normally define vigilante as someone who acts completely outside of established authority.
For one thing, he held a place of authority as a military leader in Saul's army. More important, though, is the fact that, although he had not yet been formally invested as king, Samuel had anointed him to that office. What he did, he did as heir to the throne.
I don't believe we can use David as a Biblical precedent for vigilante activity.
There are people today, however who function in a law-enforcement capacity, do so separately from the police, and even have the blessing of a minority of civil officials. I will talk about them in another post, and I hope to analyze what they do from a legal and Biblical perspective.
Friday, October 31, 2008
WARSKYL Reading List
While I was in Peoria for the WARSKYL conference, a couple of the young men asked me if I had or would make up a reading list for Christian Martialists. This is a good idea, and I have made recommendations in the past.
In January, I started a series entitled "Christian Martialism on a Budget" in which I recommended resources that would put you through your first year of training for $100. Several of the resources are free. If you have not read that series, or if you've forgotten, it may be good to go back and review, in order to evaluate and plug any gaps in your training.
Still, it would be a good idea to have a reading list compiled in one place. I have placed ads for various resources on this page (and, yes, I do receive a referral fee, if someone buys), but they don't constitute a comprehensive list.
Therefore, I have placed a web store on my other website. It is affiliated through Amazon.com, and I will receive a referral fee if you buy through my store. I know that this will be distasteful to a few readers, but if that's the case, you can still profit from my advice and purchase the material through other channels.
Also, if you can find some of these books at your public library and read them for free, that's great. And don't forget the free resources, either. Some of them are foundational. But if you're ready to move on to another level, and you need a source to buy books for training, go over to www.warskyl.com and click on the "Web Store" link.
Once you're there, you'll find that I've included notations on most of the books, so you can prioritize. Eventually, I hope to include notations on all of them.
In January, I started a series entitled "Christian Martialism on a Budget" in which I recommended resources that would put you through your first year of training for $100. Several of the resources are free. If you have not read that series, or if you've forgotten, it may be good to go back and review, in order to evaluate and plug any gaps in your training.
Still, it would be a good idea to have a reading list compiled in one place. I have placed ads for various resources on this page (and, yes, I do receive a referral fee, if someone buys), but they don't constitute a comprehensive list.
Therefore, I have placed a web store on my other website. It is affiliated through Amazon.com, and I will receive a referral fee if you buy through my store. I know that this will be distasteful to a few readers, but if that's the case, you can still profit from my advice and purchase the material through other channels.
Also, if you can find some of these books at your public library and read them for free, that's great. And don't forget the free resources, either. Some of them are foundational. But if you're ready to move on to another level, and you need a source to buy books for training, go over to www.warskyl.com and click on the "Web Store" link.
Once you're there, you'll find that I've included notations on most of the books, so you can prioritize. Eventually, I hope to include notations on all of them.
Man Punches Girl in McDonald's: Video
You've probably heard the story, and you may even have seen the footage from the security cameras. A man who had two children with him cut in front of a teenage girl who also had two younger girls with her. She reportedly cussed him out, and he punched her.
I've tried to stop the video at each punch, which I found very difficult. To me, it looks as though the first punch -- right hook over the heads of the younger girls -- misses or just grazes the teen girl. It looks as though he follows that with a left hook, which I believe connects -- from the way the girl's head snaps back.
As she's falling, he moves in to uncork another right. (The guy's a real sweetheart, isn't he?)
Are there observations, conclusions or lessons to draw from this incident? Let me mention just three to get the ball rolling, and see what others you may come up with.
1) Observation: The jerk in this video is a predator. He may be a family man, but he ruthlessly and relentlessly pursues the girl until she goes to the ground. The very fact that he cut in line in front of young girls is a danger signal. This guy is present oriented and will do what he can get away with, unless he perceives an external authority that can and will make him behave. The teen girl ain't it.
2) Conclusion: Avoid confrontations with this type. If all he wants is a place at the head of the line, let him have it. And if he's doing it just to provoke you into a fight, then he's really dangerous. Leave, if you can. Your macho ego will likely lead to x-rays, stitches and possibly death.
3) Lesson: If you cannot avoid a physical exchange, then do not do what the teen girl did. The orc punched from a distance, so she leaned away from the punch. That put her off balance and set her up for his followup blows. Learn the combat wedge and use it in situations like this.
Okay, I could say more, but now let's open the floor for your observations, conclusions and lessons derived from this incident. Comments, please!
I've tried to stop the video at each punch, which I found very difficult. To me, it looks as though the first punch -- right hook over the heads of the younger girls -- misses or just grazes the teen girl. It looks as though he follows that with a left hook, which I believe connects -- from the way the girl's head snaps back.
As she's falling, he moves in to uncork another right. (The guy's a real sweetheart, isn't he?)
Are there observations, conclusions or lessons to draw from this incident? Let me mention just three to get the ball rolling, and see what others you may come up with.
1) Observation: The jerk in this video is a predator. He may be a family man, but he ruthlessly and relentlessly pursues the girl until she goes to the ground. The very fact that he cut in line in front of young girls is a danger signal. This guy is present oriented and will do what he can get away with, unless he perceives an external authority that can and will make him behave. The teen girl ain't it.
2) Conclusion: Avoid confrontations with this type. If all he wants is a place at the head of the line, let him have it. And if he's doing it just to provoke you into a fight, then he's really dangerous. Leave, if you can. Your macho ego will likely lead to x-rays, stitches and possibly death.
3) Lesson: If you cannot avoid a physical exchange, then do not do what the teen girl did. The orc punched from a distance, so she leaned away from the punch. That put her off balance and set her up for his followup blows. Learn the combat wedge and use it in situations like this.
Okay, I could say more, but now let's open the floor for your observations, conclusions and lessons derived from this incident. Comments, please!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Was Ehud a Vigilante?
Continued from "Christian Vigilantism?"
But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.
But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh. And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man.
And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present. But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence.
And all that stood by him went out from him. And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.
And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly: And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out.
Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them. . . . And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath.
We can see certain superficial parallels here between Ehud and the vigilante. He acts, not just outside the authority of King Eglon, but directly against the king. He also acts secretly, as vigilance committees tend to do.
The differences, however, far outweigh the similarities. Ehud was raised up by Yahweh. He was called by God to this specific task; he was not a self-appointed judge and jury.
Second, he initiates justice against an invading foreign king, not his own nation's governing authority.
Further, he had some official standing as one sent by Israel to bring a gift to Eglon. Here the doctrine of interposition applies. The lower magistrate interposes himself between the tyrant and God's people.
For these reasons, I think that, although Ehud serves as a Biblical example of Christian Martialism, he does not serve as a precedent for vigilantism.
Next, I'd like to consider David.
But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.
But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh. And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man.
And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present. But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence.
And all that stood by him went out from him. And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.
And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly: And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out.
Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them. . . . And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath.
(Jdg 3:15-23, 26)
We can see certain superficial parallels here between Ehud and the vigilante. He acts, not just outside the authority of King Eglon, but directly against the king. He also acts secretly, as vigilance committees tend to do.
The differences, however, far outweigh the similarities. Ehud was raised up by Yahweh. He was called by God to this specific task; he was not a self-appointed judge and jury.
Second, he initiates justice against an invading foreign king, not his own nation's governing authority.
Further, he had some official standing as one sent by Israel to bring a gift to Eglon. Here the doctrine of interposition applies. The lower magistrate interposes himself between the tyrant and God's people.
For these reasons, I think that, although Ehud serves as a Biblical example of Christian Martialism, he does not serve as a precedent for vigilantism.
Next, I'd like to consider David.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Christian Vigilantism?
Vigilantism is a topic for discussion over at WARSKYLMOOT, the forum over at warskyl.com. The discussion arose from a question about the legitimacy of acting as a vigilante if the police are not doing their job because of corruption or ineptitude.
(I should not go any further without acknowledging the great number of principled and efficient members of the law enforcement community. This post is not directed as an attack at them, many of whom are Christians, and some of whom are frustrated by the problems inherent in the system.)
God has instituted the civil authority, and He requires us to obey, even if it is officially pagan (or supposedly neutral, as in the USA). We may disobey the civil authority only when it requires us to directly disobey God's commands.
But what about freelance law enforcement? Are there any Biblical examples of vigilantism approved by God? And in our society, today, can we find precedent for citizens participating in law enforcement outside official channels?
By extension, we may ask, "How far can the Christian Martialist sheepdog go in his protection of self, family, church and community?"
I would like to devote a post or two to these questions.
Continued in "Was Ehud a Vigilante?"
(I should not go any further without acknowledging the great number of principled and efficient members of the law enforcement community. This post is not directed as an attack at them, many of whom are Christians, and some of whom are frustrated by the problems inherent in the system.)
God has instituted the civil authority, and He requires us to obey, even if it is officially pagan (or supposedly neutral, as in the USA). We may disobey the civil authority only when it requires us to directly disobey God's commands.
But what about freelance law enforcement? Are there any Biblical examples of vigilantism approved by God? And in our society, today, can we find precedent for citizens participating in law enforcement outside official channels?
By extension, we may ask, "How far can the Christian Martialist sheepdog go in his protection of self, family, church and community?"
I would like to devote a post or two to these questions.
Continued in "Was Ehud a Vigilante?"
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