Should a Christian be a vigilante?

Answer

A vigilante is a person who takes it upon themselves to enforce laws or provide justice in situations where justice seems impossible. Vigilantes operate without proper legal authority, often relying on their own ideas of right and wrong without regard for true justice. They bypass due process, sometimes believing that law enforcement is inadequate or unavailable, and that their intervention is necessary to maintain peace. Ironically, as a vigilante seeks to bring lawbreakers to justice, they themselves become lawbreakers.

Many popular fictional superheroes such as Spider-Man, Batman, and the Punisher are essentially flamboyant vigilantes. By fighting crime and bringing otherwise untouchable villains to justice, they are celebrated as heroes; their popularity demonstrates a deep-seated desire for justice in the human psyche. We yearn for justice.

The Bible includes instances of vigilantes in action. Notably, Simeon and Levi sought vengeance for the rape of their sister, Dinah, by killing all the men in the rapist’s city (Genesis 34). Phineas could be seen as a vigilante when he defended the Lord’s honor and stopped the immorality and idolatry prevalent in the Israelites’ camp (Numbers 25). The Mosaic Law outlined the restrictions on vigilantes (“avengers of blood”) and granted the accused the right to a trial before the assembly (Numbers 35). In the era of the judges, prior to the establishment of the monarchy in Israel, “everyone did what was right in their own eyes” «In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. », (Judges 17:6, ESV), and figures like Samson engaged in vigilantism. Later, Absalom, acting as a vigilante, killed his half-brother Amnon (2 Samuel 13). It is important to note

That the Bible’s inclusion of historical accounts of the deeds of vigilantes does not constitute blanket approval of vigilantism.

Vigilantes were common during the years of Western expansion along the American frontier. Law and order were often slow in reaching the outposts of civilization. In the absence of reliable law enforcement, justice— or what was perceived as justice— was often meted out by citizens who, for good or ill, took the law into their own hands. After the Civil War, vigilante groups such as the Ku Klux Klan used violence and intimidation tactics to resist new laws that freed the slaves. In more modern times, vigilantes have attacked logging sites, abortion clinics, and other focal points of controversy in a belief that they follow a higher law than what is stated in the U.S. legal code.

There are some cases where intervening in an active crime situation is the only right choice. For example, a man sees an old woman being mugged. The Bible’s commands to defend the weak require that the man come to the old woman’s rescue “Defend the poor and fatherless: Do justice to the afflicted and needy.”, (Psalm 82:3). But does that command extend beyond reactive defense to include proactive vigilantism?

The heart of most acts of vigilantism is contrary to Scripture. Vigilantes act outside the purview of the law, which is problematic for Christians. Also, vigilantism often gives way to mob rule, and the out-of-control actions of a lynch mob hardly ever lead to true justice.

“The authorities that exist have been established by God” “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”, (Romans 13:1). The authority in free countries is the law, which even a nation’s leaders and judges must obey. In most cases, to bypass the established legal system is to undermine the very structure that God has put in place for societal order.

Assuming due process is to flout the law. It is the government’s duty “to bring punishment on the wrongdoer” (Romans 13:4;cf: 1 Peter 2:14); it is the Christian’s duty “to submit to the authorities” (Romans 13:5;cf: 1 Peter 2:13). Christians should be exemplary in their law-abiding behavior. Except in rare situations, there is no need to resort to vigilantism. There are better ways to resolve perceived injustice. The Christian is obligated to “show proper respect to everyone, . . . fear God, honor the emperor” «Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. », (1 Peter 2:17), and he prays “for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” «for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. », (1 Timothy 2:2).