“What about…” Aledo Church of Christ Summer Series 2014

“Given that we are to model our lives after Jesus Christ, what in the New Testament tells us that we should participate in a justice system that dispenses capital punishment? Also, what about participating in a war in the military?”

“I just sent that man to hell.”

Christian Values “Vegeance is Mine” (Romans 12:19ff)? o Do not repay evil for evil o Allow room for God’s wrath o How does God carry it out? Sometimes through government (Rom. 13:1ff) God’s use of government in past (Gen. 15:16, Hab. 1:6 ) “Vegeance is Mine” (Romans 12:19ff)? o Do not repay evil for evil o Allow room for God’s wrath o How does God carry it out? Sometimes through government (Rom. 13:1ff) God’s use of government in past (Gen. 15:16, Hab. 1:6 )

Christian Values Turning the other cheek (Mt. 5:38ff)? o Jesus cites Ex. 21:23-24 o Issue at hand is personal injury o Context is personal attack/offense Is this the same as a criminal proceeding? Turning the other cheek (Mt. 5:38ff)? o Jesus cites Ex. 21:23-24 o Issue at hand is personal injury o Context is personal attack/offense Is this the same as a criminal proceeding?

God & The Death Penalty God proscribed it for Israel (Ex. 21:12-17) 1.Premeditated murder: vss Striking or cursing parents: vss. 15, 17 3.Kidnapping: v. 16 God proscribed due process (Dt. 17:4-20) 1.Investigated: vss Plurality of witnesses: vss Determined by judges: vss Justice executed without corruption: 16:18-20 God proscribed it for Israel (Ex. 21:12-17) 1.Premeditated murder: vss Striking or cursing parents: vss. 15, 17 3.Kidnapping: v. 16 God proscribed due process (Dt. 17:4-20) 1.Investigated: vss Plurality of witnesses: vss Determined by judges: vss Justice executed without corruption: 16:18-20

Christians and Military Service Restoration Leaders Against War: Alexander Campbell Tolbert Fanning J.W. McGarvey Arguments: Wars of heaven = moral, Wars of earth = wicked War leads to oppression: widows & orphans West, Earle. The Search for the Ancient Order 1:333-39

Submitting to Authority “Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.” 1 Peter 2:13-17, NASU

Submitting to Authority “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.” (Romans 13:1- 2, NASU)

5 th Amendment “No person shall be held to answer for a capital or other infamous crime unless on presentment or indictment of a grand jury…,” “…nor shall any person…be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law…” U.S. Constitution, 5 th Amendment

War “Congress shall have power to…Declare war…” (U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 8) “No state shall, without consent of Congress…, keep troops, or ships of war, in time of peace… or engage in war, unless actually invaded…,” (U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 10) “The president shall be commander in chief of the army and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into actual service of the United States;” (U.S. Constitution, Article 2, Section 2)

A Christian’s Responsibility 1.Submit to governing authorities Serve on juries Vote 2.Compassionate for death inmates (Rom. 10:14) Prison ministry Not glamorize violence 3.Ensure our legal system follows rule of law “Don’t shed innocent blood” Seek good judges Reserve death penalty for heinous crimes 1.Submit to governing authorities Serve on juries Vote 2.Compassionate for death inmates (Rom. 10:14) Prison ministry Not glamorize violence 3.Ensure our legal system follows rule of law “Don’t shed innocent blood” Seek good judges Reserve death penalty for heinous crimes

A Christian’s Responsibility 4.Serve proudly in military “Conscientious Objector” Military chaplain Active duty personnel 4.Serve proudly in military “Conscientious Objector” Military chaplain Active duty personnel