What is interesting about this particular more of Luther, however, is that he actually condones violence when it is sanctioned in an official capacity. His definition of what constitutes an official capacity, however, is one of the more insightful points in The Ethics of Martin Luther. Violence is acceptable if it is administered by the government -- whether such violence stems from a soldier, a judge, an executioner, or from some other form of government. Furthermore, Luther recognizes the family structure as being the governing body of a particular household, and therefore views violence conducted by parents as being ethically acceptable, since the parents are the governing body within that particular domicile. It should be understood that in the case of familial violence, any belligerent acts are only permitted among those who dwell within a family's household. Lastly, it should be noted that Luther places a significant amount...

In terms of Christianity, it is widely perceived that Jesus' sacrifice of dying for the sins of man and providing redemption for all those who choose to place their faith in him is the very basis for the liberty of Christians, as the following quotation readily demonstrates. "Thus faith sets the Christian free. He is free to do his work in joy, in contrast to slavish worry, insecurity, and unhappiness of the man who has no faith, doubts how he stands with God, and does not know how he will satisfy God." The freedom that is to be gained for the Christian is decidedly manifold, as it is a freedom from the fury or vengeance of God, as well as a liberty that is not constrained by the condemnation of legal matters or other negative secular forces which may adversely affect those who are firm believers in the divinity of Jesus Christ.