Establishing Christian A World View

Capital Punishment/ Death Penalty Whether or not there should be a death penalty for crimes is a matter of great debate amongst Christians. Has been for centuries. What can we learn about this matter from the Bible? The answer might be more nebulous than supposed.

The Heart Of The Debate Some Christians are adamantly in favor of death penalties for certain crimes. What crimes varies widely. Some Christians are adamantly against a death penalty and consider it anti-Christian to entertain the possibility. Some Christians just refuse to consider the question because they’ve never been closely affected by it and therefore haven’t taken the time to draw any conclusions.

Important considerations in the debate The subject is far from cut and dried. Much like some Facebook relationships: It’s complicated! At the center is a consideration of the difference between “descriptive history” which speaks of capital punishment, and “prescriptive doctrine”, especially when passing from the Old Covenant into the New.

We MUST Affirm God Commanded Death Penalty Leviticus 20:2 – “You shall also say to the sons of Israel: ‘Any man from the sons of Israel or from the aliens sojourning in Israel who gives any of his offspring to Molech, shall surely be put to death; the people of the land shall stone him with stones.’” Leviticus 24:16 – “Moreover, the one who blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death….”

What Kinds Of Crimes Murder *Adultery Disobedience to parents *Prostitution Cursing a parent *Blasphemy Kidnapping *False prophets Witchcraft *Lies about Human sacrifice virginity Incest *Break Sabbath Homosexuality Is this what we want?

Logically – God approves It is not ANTITHETICAL to God’s holiness or character to command a death penalty. Genesis 9:6 -- “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man.” Is God commanded.

Has Anything Changed? Does that necessarily mean death penalty is necessary in NT Christianity? Some make this claim. They lived under a theocracy where God made and enforced the laws. God no longer speaks directly to us through prophets to enforce such laws. Yes, He is the same God. But, no, this is not the same covenant. What about instrumental music?

God’s Demonstration Of Grace Even under the Old Covenant, God spared some who deserved a death penalty. David: 2 Samuel 11:27 – “…But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the Lord.”

Cain – Gen. 4:11-12 – “Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth.” Cain deserved death, but God gave him another punishment.

Adulteress – John 8:1-11 – “…scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery….Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?.... “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her…. “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”

All Sin Brings Spiritual Death Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” All sin is punishable by death to God. Yet, He chose certain sins to punish with physical death on this earth.

New Testament Considerations We are NOT bound by the Old Covenant Col. 2:14 – “…having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”

Galatians 5:3 “And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.” If we choose to be bound by one part of the Law, we must be bound by all of the Law. We cannot pick and choose. Clearly, we cannot use only Old Testament Law to defend our decisions on capital punishment.

What Did Jesus Say? Jesus did not by any decree either defend nor repudiate capital punishment. However, He did teach about grace and forgiveness. Matthew 5:38-48 Eye for eye…do not resist an evil person. Love neighbor/hate enemy…love enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

If we do have death penalty… Cannot be for vengeance/revenge Romans 12:17-21 --Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 “See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.” 1 Peter 3:9 – “…not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.”

But what about… Romans 13:1-6 – “Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God….But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil….”

So where do we stand: Christians can support the death penalty but are under no obligation to do so to remain in God’s grace. There may be better answers. Death penalty is wrong if enforced for revenge. Grace/love/forgiveness are ultimately God’s better way. When possible these are preferable.

An Ounce Of Prevention… Ultimately, teaching people to be godly and respect God and one another is where Christians are most needed in this world.