Amazon.com: Customer reviews: A Time to Kill: The Myth of Christian Pacifism

Top positive review

Comprehensive

Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2019

Although this isn't the first book I've read on the subject, it certainly is the most comprehensive. As the title suggests, A Time to Kill examines the Bible to see what God has to say about self-defense. Hopkins, an attorney, prosecutor, judge, cop, and Christian sometimes uses ten words when two or three will suffice which contributes to this book's length (hey, he is an attorney), but the book also explores other areas such as the death penalty, the military, law enforcement, God's view on how Christians should behave in general, and general self-defense topics that you'd find in non-Christian books. As I said, it is comprehensive.

Although I think the book could be improved with some judicious editing by cutting down the size (for books like this, I'm more of a fact, fact, fact, fact type of person), it is an excellent book and I wholeheartedly recommend it for those looking for answers or just a good discussion of the topic. I thought I had a very good handle on the subject, but even I learned a fair amount.

Like some other reviewers, I disagree with the author on visiting the attacker in the hospital as this could lead to legal problems down the road. The author is an attorney and I was surprised he wrote that.

4 people found this helpful

Top critical review

Critical reviews›

Robert

Gets repetitive

Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2019

Good content, but it covers the same ground over and over in the middle, seemingly to create length.

The beginning 1 /4 and last 1/4 are quite good. Many of the points made are good to apply to other areas of your life.

140 total ratings, 81 with reviews

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From the United States

Danny L. Griffin

Comprehensive

Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2019

Verified Purchase

4 people found this helpful

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avid reader

Great book

Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2024

Verified Purchase

Every gun owner needs to read this book.

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Elvira

Offers good biblical basis for studying Self-Defense from a Christian point of view.

Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2020

Verified Purchase

I am a certified firearms instructor, teaching Justifiable Use of Deadly Force from a biblical point of view. This book has been very useful as a resource for me as I present this subject from a Christian point of view. It also goes into non-deadly options for someone to use in protecting themselves from a deadly attack. It is very helpful as you reasearch this subject. I highly recommend this book.

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

A helpful resource for Christians considering the use of firearms for self defense

Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2017

Verified Purchase

I have a lot of mixed emotions about this book. The ultimate conclusions the author comes to I usually agree with. I also think he and I likely have very similar evangelical theology. He also helped me to grapple with certain passages that I was struggling with. For example his treatment of the Matthew 5:39 was something I had never considered before.
However, I found his book unnecessarily long and repetitive. Furthermore, I think there were numerous instances where he made huge jumps between his exegesis and application. It just feels like he is trying to force his point upon at times.

One thing I didn't expect were his historical/biblical fiction chapters. Those were well written, fun to read, and illustrated his points well.

2 people found this helpful

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Amin Musani

excellent read

Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2023

Verified Purchase

A great review and presentation on the Biblical foundation for self defense. A must read for every believer and follower on how to apply God’s word in the challenging world we live in!

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mark

Very worth the price and the read. You will not be disappointed.

Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2022

Verified Purchase

Love this well written book. Just buy it, you will not be disappointed.

One person found this helpful

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Floyd Orr

Excellent

Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2020

Verified Purchase

A very well written and thoughtful biblical perspective on self defense and lethal force. Pointed instruction and interpretation of the Bible as it pertains to today’s issues of violence and defending one’s self and others.

One person found this helpful

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Larry Dorazio

Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2014

Verified Purchase

I am a retired police officer and highly recommend this book for anyone who carries. Heeding the advise of when to use deadly force and when not to could be the difference between getting arrested and walking away clean. There are other considerations as well. A plus is some excellent Bible teaching. The book brings out that the Christian has an obligation, not only to himself and the innocent but also to the ones who may seek to do harm.

3 people found this helpful

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Doug Richard

Convincing Argument With Some Bad Advice

Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2016

Verified Purchase

Convincing argument that self-defense is not contrary to the Bible. The quarrel I have is his assertion that a Christian must render first aid (without qualification) and should visit the surviving criminal in the hospital, jail, or prison. (Pages 84-87, 155) There are only a few places on the human body which, when shot, kills someone instantly. The rest may well eventually result in death, but a determined criminal can do a lot of damage to someone who makes the mistake to approach and bring himself within range of another possible attack before the arrival of the police and an ambulance, i.e. I do not agree that he is "under control" simply because you have wounded him. Does he have another weapon, knife, or the like, or just physically strong enough to get the better of the situation? Likewise, a CCW holder should be taught that even though he may get shot, he should keep fighting, since with modern medical science, most bullet wounds are survivable, if he does not
get hit in one of the instant kill points. As possibly the sole witness to his criminal assault, prior to conviction, it is not a good idea to visit
the person who you are trying to put in the penitentiary for an extended time. Likely at his hospital room will be his family and friends, of similar ilk; if he is a gang member, fellow gang members. Until convicted, he is far from "under control" (and maybe not even then,) when the only thing that stands between freedom and conviction and a long sentence, is you as a witness. Witnesses have been known to disappear, be killed, be intimidated, or bought off. The examples of criminals like Ted Bundy who got religion right before they were executed, are not
good examples, because at that point the jig is truly up and they are actually "under control." You are also possibly creating a reasonable doubt situation as to what actually happened, for instance if he and his family and friends testify that you apologized at the hospital for wrongfully shooting him, his attorney argues a "consciousness of guilt" on your part for the visit, etc. Let him get convicted, then, if you really must, visit him in the penitentiary or on probation. Remember, this is a Sociopath or possibly a Psychopath that you are dealing with, not a normal, rational human being. His family, and criminal friends have reason to see that you, as a witness, do not testify and help
convict their angel, or are discredited. In his world, getting shot is a badge on honor on the street, not usually any revelation to get on the
straight and narrow. The less the criminal and his friends and family know about you the better. You are probably in as much danger after the shooting with certain criminals as you were at the time of the self-defense shooting, simply as a witness, and particularly as the sole witness. Some wounds would make it possible to safely render first aid before the ambulance arrives, but definitely not all. Finally, the fact that a Civil Suit is possible, if not likely, should be considered. Any contact allows for false testimony as to what was said in the way of admissions on your part that may allow the criminal to become the "victim," that costs you a ton of money in defense costs, attorney's fees, and even a wrongful Judgment. It is unlikely there will be a video that shows, without a doubt, that your shooting of the criminal was justified, creating possible jury questions, i.e. don't muck up the criminal case or create a false civil case by trying too quickly to save the soul of the guy who was trying to kill you or cause you great bodily harm. There should be time for that after conviction.

63 people found this helpful

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D.A.Roper

Faithful Christians are protectors ...

Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2017

Verified Purchase

Protectors of their family, protectors of the innocent and protectors of themselves. Greg Hopkins has done an admirable job of showing all of God's people what His expectations are in the use of deadly force (and, when to refrain!) If you are considering carrying a weapon for self defense, read this book. Well written and convicting! Pacifism is a tool of the Enemy of Humanity ... thank God for those willing to stand against Evil.

2 people found this helpful

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