Christianity is not passive in the face of evil. Christ forbade personal vengeance, but He never abolished the God ordained responsibilities of the family, the church, or civil government.

As a member of Life Tabernacle Church in Central, Louisiana, under Pastor Tony Spell, I have witnessed our congregation endure years of documented harassment from a neighboring family. This is not vague rumor or isolated disagreement. Central City News of Louisiana, together with church records, contains photographs, videos, and reports documenting repeated acts of intimidation, harassment, and threats directed toward members of the congregation, Pastor Spell, and his family, particularly since the COVID 19 period when the church continued gathering for worship.

Complaints were made to law enforcement. Yet the response has been inadequate. The Central police chief referenced only five documented incidents. Five documented complaints involving alleged threats of this nature are five too many. From my own observations as a member of the church, there have been additional incidents that should have been reported and addressed. Whether every incident ultimately satisfies a criminal standard is for the legal process to determine. Nevertheless, when civil government is unable or unwilling to restrain ongoing intimidation in real time, the God ordained responsibilities of a husband, father, and shepherd do not simply disappear.

Recently, Pastor Spell became involved in an altercation with a member of this family and was arrested on a charge of second degree battery. Pastor Spell has publicly stated that the confrontation followed direct threats against his family. The courts will determine the legal merits of that case. Christians, however, should evaluate the broader biblical principles involved according to Scripture rather than cultural slogans or selective pacifism.

The Biblical Distinction: Protection Is Not Revenge

Scripture makes an important distinction between vengeance and protection.

The Apostle Paul writes:

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves… Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:19, KJV)

Personal revenge belongs to God alone.

Likewise, Christ’s command to “turn the other cheek” addresses personal insults and persecution for righteousness’ sake. It was never intended to require husbands, fathers, or pastors to stand passively while credible threats are directed toward their wives, children, grandchildren, or congregations.

Scripture consistently assigns protective responsibilities to three God ordained institutions: the family, the church, and civil government.

Nehemiah gave Israel’s leaders this charge:

“Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” (Nehemiah 4:14, KJV)

This was not a call to revenge. It was a call to defend those entrusted to their care. Nehemiah prayed, armed the workers, stationed guards, and continued the work. Faith and vigilance were never presented as opposites.

Likewise, Paul declares:

“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (1 Timothy 5:8, KJV)

Providing for one’s household includes protecting it. A husband who refuses to protect his family has failed in one of God’s fundamental responsibilities.

The same principle extends to the pastoral office.

Jesus contrasts the Good Shepherd with the hireling in John 10. When danger comes, the hireling flees because the sheep are not his. The Good Shepherd stands between the flock and danger. While Christ uniquely lays down His life as the Great Shepherd, those who shepherd Christ’s people are likewise called to guard those entrusted to their care rather than abandon them to wolves.

The prophet Ezekiel likewise condemned shepherds who neglected and failed to protect God’s flock (Ezekiel 34).

Christ Himself also instructed His disciples:

“…he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.” (Luke 22:36, KJV)

Whatever one’s interpretation of every detail of that passage, it demonstrates that Jesus did not teach absolute pacifism. Likewise, when Peter drew his sword in Gethsemane, Jesus stopped him because His arrest was the Father’s ordained plan of redemption, not because every act of defense is inherently sinful.

When Government Falls Short

Civil government is God’s servant to restrain evil.

Romans 13:1 4 describes government as “the minister of God” who “beareth not the sword in vain.”

Likewise, 1 Peter 2:14 teaches that civil rulers exist “for the punishment of evildoers.”

Government bears the sword. Families bear responsibility for their households. Pastors bear responsibility for the flock.

These responsibilities complement one another; they do not replace one another.

When government responds effectively, order is maintained. When government fails to restrain immediate danger, Scripture nowhere teaches that innocent people must simply surrender themselves or those entrusted to their care to violent threats.

Louisiana law likewise recognizes the free exercise of religion and provides legal protections against criminal acts directed toward persons and houses of worship. Louisiana law also recognizes circumstances in which individuals may lawfully defend themselves or others. Whether those legal standards were satisfied in this particular incident is a question for the courts. The broader biblical principle, however, remains unchanged: protecting innocent life from an immediate threat is fundamentally different from seeking personal revenge.

Scripture repeatedly affirms this principle.

Exodus 22 recognizes the legitimacy of defending one’s household against an immediate violent intrusion.

Proverbs 24:11 commands:

“If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain…”

God’s people are repeatedly commanded to protect the innocent, not abandon them.

A Call to Faithful Shepherding

Pastor Tony Spell, as a husband, father, grandfather, and shepherd of Life Tabernacle Church, bears God given responsibilities toward his family and congregation. Life Tabernacle is a vibrant multicultural church representing people from many nations. Protecting those entrusted to his care is not inconsistent with biblical Christianity. Neglecting that responsibility would be.

Christians are commanded to forgive.

Christians are forbidden to seek personal vengeance.

But nowhere does Scripture command husbands to abandon their wives, fathers to abandon their children, or shepherds to abandon their flocks. Biblical leadership requires courage, discernment, restraint, and, when necessary, lawful protection of those whom God has entrusted to one’s care.

That is not contrary to the Gospel.

It is part of faithful obedience to it.

The legal process will determine the facts and legal consequences surrounding this particular incident. Yet the biblical principle remains constant.

Biblical Christianity equips men to lead, protect, and defend those entrusted to their care. It does not require them to become passive spectators while evil threatens their families or their flock.

As a member of Life Tabernacle Church who has personally witnessed years of documented harassment, I stand firmly upon these biblical principles. May the Lord grant wisdom to the courts, justice according to truth, protection for the innocent, and grace for all involved.

Claston Bernard is the author of In America, It’s More Than Race: An Immigrant’s Journey Across the Nation. He’s an Olympian, a NCAA National Champion and a Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist.