Last Sunday we looked at what it means to steward life [audio]. This was definitely a challenging part of our series and has a lot of implications for us as followers of Christ, some of which we didn't have time to discuss.Here are a few areas we didn't have time to apply this biblical theology to at any length (or at all):
- our own health/bodies
- substance abuse
- the death penalty
- worldwide starvation
- modern war
- war in the Old Testament
And if the interest is high enough, and the blog discussion isn't conducive/effective enough, then maybe we'll tackle some of these on future Sundays.
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15 comments - add yours!:
I'm curious about the how this theology would apply to the death penalty. I'm admittedly confused about this issue, and having a hard time committing to one side or the other on it. Abortion seems so cut and dry for me- a sickening tragedy of our culture that we should speak and act against at every opportunity, as a baby is innocent and cannot make choices or speak for herself. On the other hand, a person who brutally, intentionally rapes/murders others, with no remorse and who may possibly even do it again, evokes very different feelings. It makes me angry that a non-death-pentaly state would require my tax dollars to support and sustain a long life in prison for this person, and yet a life is a life, right? Thoughts? I'd love to gain a clearer understanding of how God might want me to regard this issue.
Good question to throw out there, Amy! Certainly no shortage of discussion and debate surrounding this topic—even among those of similar religious and ideological persuasions.
There's an article (listed at the bottom) I came across recently that unpacks the relevant biblical and theological data on this issue. The author, I think, does a nice job of succinctly laying out those propositions generally represented (and presented) by both camps, providing, in addition, a brief critique of arguments from those who reject capital punishment.
Hopefully some answers, as well as food for further thought and discussion!
http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5164
Love the question. Here are a few of my initial thoughts...
1. There is a big difference between innocent life and guilty life.
2. There is biblical evidence for the death penalty.
3. But not all murderers were put to death in the Bible.
4. Grace and forgiveness are are possible.
5. Rehabilitation may be possible; it may not be. Death may be deserved and necessary for punishment and protection (per Josh's STR article)
6. The death penalty should be a last resort because men (and women) put themselves in the place of judge.
7. I'd pay the extra taxes in order to value life.
What do you think about these, Amy?
I think all of your points are valid and true, but am still working this issue out in my head, as they seem to still support both sides.
I would love for you to delve deeper into the first point- that there is a big difference between innocent life and guilty life. What do you mean by "guilty life"- a person who has committed a "high level" sin, like murder, or any sinner? Are sins "ranked?"
Also, what constitutes a "last resort"- does this mean only if the person cannot be rehabilitated, or if they aren't remorseful? What if a person is remorseful, but committed a very heinouse crime? At what point would the Bible have us "draw the line?"
I will read the article tonight as well!
Boy... those are good questions. I hear you asking for "the line" on both. When is a guilty person REALLY guilty? And when is remorse irrelevant and pardon off the table?
I don't know. "An eye for an eye" keeps rolling around in my head, but there is also so much grace found in the Bible.
I don't think sins are ranked in God's economy (James 2:10). We are all guilty (Rom. 3:23). But I do think the penalties for crimes are varied in God's economy. J.P. Moreland says (in a different context) that it would be immoral to treat unequal things as equals. Therefore a murderer should be punished more severely than a thief.
I think all-in-all we have to leave room for things like remorse and rehabilitation. King David was a murderer. The Apostle Paul had Christians killed. A truly changed heart and life should probably provoke mercy and forgiveness from us.
I think God always offers mercy and grace first. God's justice comes when his mercy and grace are rejected.
So I guess a "guilty life" persists at guilt-- he (or she) rejects God's grace and mercy, hardens his heart, and remains unchanged. For a murderer, at that point, death may be deserved.
I think God does rank sin, this is part of what makes him just.
Just think if a judge gave a rapist and someone who stole a Tic Tac the same sentence of 30 hours community service. Would that be just? If the judge gave a murderer and a starving man who stole bread the same sentence of death, would that be just?
God also applied different punishments for different crimes in the Bible - sometimes death, sometimes restitution, sometimes a beating. He did this because some crimes/sins are worse than others. This is obvious to any of us.
Of course it would be unjust to execute someone for breaking a ceremonial & symbolic law like the sabbath, but for crimes like murder, rape, kidnapping, etc. it would be justified.
I think the point of the passage in James 2 is not that all sins are equal, but that we have all broken God's law. It doesn't matter which specific law we've broken, but that we've broken God's law (v.11 "Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law") and deserve to spend eternity apart from Him.
God may send every sinner who rejects him to hell, but they do receive different degrees of punishment (Luke 12:47-48).
So I think a "guilty" person in this context is someone who, based on the evidence, has been found guilty of a crime that God has prescribed the death penalty for, and an "innocent" person is someone who has not. That doesn't mean the "innocent" are not guilty of sin, just not guilty of a capital crime.
I think the death penalty is an incredibly merciful gift to humanity if used properly. The guilty should be executed quickly (not 20 years down the road), and be executed in every case of a capital crime without exception. Ecc. 8:11 tells us the reason the death penalty in America doesn't work: "Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil."
Crime is very rare in Muslim countries where this is done (though they pervert justice with excessive punishments for some crimes).
But just think if every murderer or child molestor was put to death right away. There may be a few violent crimes still committed, but we could save 1000s of lives every year in this country.
I believe it is just at pro-life to promote the death penalty for the guilty as it is to save innocent babies from being aborted.
"And will you profane Me among My people...
killing people who should not die,
and keeping people alive who should not live...?"
Ezek. 13:19
Here's a good article with biblical support of the death penalty mainly through the New Testament (though I may disagree with a bit of the theology & reasoning):
http://www.theologyonline.com/DEATH.HTML
Jason - it seems like we are essentially saying the same thing, but that you're not leaving any room for Grace. Am I understanding your comment?
To me, repentance is the key. The worst punishment is separation from God and those who aren't repentant will receive just that but to those who are they will not only see their sin and grieve it but will get to experience the grace and mercy that God so freely gives all of us. Even those who we think deserve the worst. I believe that God's eyes are so much clearer than ours in this ... He sees what came before that murder/sin...the lies or abuse or whatever contributed to that person doing what they did. My eyes are sometimes too earth bound and therefore I would probably want death or worse for someone who did wrong to my family or friends. I just wouldn't want to be the one who condemns someone to a life separate from God because I'm angry and don't understand why anyone would do horrific things (cause I don't get it). I want him to even look at those who murder and say...yeah, I took that one too. That is the Jesus who I don't understand and who I love. The one who says to many, I see you (all of you), now go and sin no more. Beautiful grace out of true repentance.
Matt - I think we basically agree except for the grace part. I think I misread part of what you had written.
There's an OT verse that tells the judges not to have mercy on the criminals. I can't find it right now because I don't remember the exact wording.
I know God showed grace to David, etc., but that is His prerogative and not the norm and not the instructions He gave to His people.
I figure if you're going to have laws, why not do it God's way instead of fallible man's way that leads to terrible unforeseen consequences?
God knows every man's heart and can wisely choose whom to give grace to, but how does a human judge, especially a secular one know if someone is truly repentant?
And if the person is truly repentant, is it just, is it wise to put that person back out on the street?
Have you ever repeated a sin that you had truly repented of?
Do we let everyone who appears sincere and repentant go? How many capital crimes will that lead to? How merciful is that to society?
If a capital criminal repents to God, God will forgive him and bring him into heaven whether humans give him the death penalty or not.
jason -- i don't necessarily think that if i person who has committed murder repents to god, his or her earthly punishment is over. i do, though, think i'm kind of on the same page as krista in that, i don't want to be responsible for quickly putting someone to death for a crime rather than allowing them ample time to hear the word of god & come into a right relationship with him. in that way, repentance is what it's all about.
also, i think it's dangerous to look to muslim nations & their low crime rates as a rational for capitol punishment. after all, we must remember that in their faith, there is no hope once such a heinous crime has been committed. that's a huge difference in belief systems.
I definitely don't think you let these people (murderers,etc.)walk the streets, YIKES. I do think there should be consequences to actions. I sometimes think that death is preferable to living in prison for the rest of your life. Especially if you do see the error of your ways. Maybe I am less merciful than it appears...death seems like the easy way out unless you are separated from God for eternity.
Meg - It is the Word of God that tell us we should execute punishment speedily as I quoted above: "Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." - Ecclesiastes 8:11
The accused would still have a trial and only be convicted based on convincing evidence. But God is wise and knows what kind of punishment will be a deterrant. I know if we are at a store or restaurant, where I can't really discipline my children properly, and just say that when we get home this and this going to happen, they don't obey at all. But when we are at home and there will be an immediate punishment, they will behave a lot better.
The point is the death penalty doesn't work in America because if a guy is sentenced to death, he won't be executed for 15-20 years with all his appeals, etc. The leading cause of death for someone on death row is old age! So when this part of God's law is applied in certain nations, not surprisingly, it works. I would have no problems doing it God's way because I know he is much wiser than I am.
When a man is sentenced to death and only has a short time to live, it is a great opportunity for him to call on the Lord and be saved. It is not our fault he committed the crime, and he has had opportunity in his life to turn to God, and seems to think it is just to execute him in a timely manner.
The other problem is the death penalty is so rarely applied in the U.S.
As for prisons, God never advocated prison in the Bible except to hold someone while awaiting trial. Sure people don't want to go there, but it is not a very strong deterrant. God did not advocate prisons when they had much worse conditions, but in our country prisoners get to play basketball, watch HDTV, read books, read and watch porn, study for a degree, and get food and housing for free (at our expense). Criminals aren't horrified by it and repeatedly come back. We always want our kids be choose their friends wisely and not hang out with the wrong crowd. Yet, we send these guys to hang out with hardened criminals all day and expect them to come out reformed!
In the bible there are two types of matters for which believers should consider.. “Indisputable matters” (that is: matters in which the bible is clear, that all believers should adhere, support, and believe) Christians should be unified in these clear areas of Christian culture and theology. However there are many "disputable matters,” and though there are no set mandates to follow in scripture I believe there are many examples and leadings to help believers find their place in this controversial topic.
For those that do not know me, I am a mitigation specialist. I am an investigator that works to find mitigation (not to be mistaken as an excuse) for the accused in order to help a jury chose a sentence of life over death on a Capital case. I have worked on several Capital cases, and so I speak from my heart as I have sought God in my own profession as well as Christian walk. I have seen many things and will gladly discuss these with anyone with an ear to hear. For the purpose of this response I want to encourage unity even if there is disagreement. Paul shares that Christians can disagree on disputable things, but unity must always be maintained and that is my heart.
There are many verses that get passed along regarding Capital punishment, many of which can be interpreted differently depending on your core belief regarding the DP. For a minute I ask and encourage you to read this with an open heart to the accused as well as the victim as you read. For me, I accomplish this best when I place myself in the seat of the accused. I have done some pretty terrible things in my life, and though I have not violated laws of man, I have abused, and possessed thoughts and desires that prove I deserve to be one of the accused in the Kingdom court. I’m a sinner. Across from me sits the accuser of every transgression I have done. God interestingly here is not the accuser, nor is the Holy Spirit, or even Jesus.. It’s the enemy of Heaven, lucifer, and the one that begs for my condemnation. My Judge is thankfully not my peer even though many of my peers will be used to testify against me. Everything they say will prove my guilt, and expose my sin. With the help of the accuser, my case is a slam dunk. There is no defense to the terrible crimes I have committed. I represent myself in this trial and though I have clever ideas and excuses it is pretty clear I am guilty. The punishment in this kingdom was established by the Judge and “governing body” and is clear that the wages of my crime is death. It’s what I deserve.
Death will prevent me from committing any further “crimes” against the kingdom and it is the only ultimate deterrent. Victims of my sin will learn that my death and even punishment will never release them more than what they can do which is to forgive. As I stand to receive my swift and immediate sentence, the court is shocked when the Judge appoints a new attorney to represent me in my sentencing phase. As the accuser stands to object Jesus walks in the room. He carries a cross and nothing else. What He does next blows everyone away. Rather than looking for a justification He offers himself to justify me. Instead of looking at the accuser, he goes straight to the judge. My advocate does not look at my file or measure my crimes. Instead He offers his own life. He accepts the spit, pain, and humility from people just as guilty as me, and yet he carries the cross for all criminals because He is the Redeemer of all lost and broken things. The focus of His ministry is to reconcile not destroy. In this court, punishment and consequence remain, but the wages for my sin is no longer death, but because of the Redeemer I have a gift from God which offers me life.
Criminals do terrible things but what can any of us do to separate ourselves from the love of God? Once I see myself as a sinner and one who is accused I have greater compassion for the criminal. Whenever I am confused about an issue I always look to Jesus. I ask myself “who did Jesus spend most of his time with on earth?” He did not pray for the criminal and outcast, rather he walked with them, ate with them, and defended them against their accusers. We all know the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. The leaders demanded that she be stoned. Jesus never simply answers any question in the Bible. He is cleaver, right, and perfect . The Bible says that Jesus gave permission to anyone in the crowd “with no sin” to stone her or apply capital punishment.. It says that Jesus then started writing in the sand and one by one the crowd dispersed leaving the guilty woman alone with Jesus. Though we don’t know for sure what he wrote I believe he wrote simple words such as “liar, thief, adulterer” exposing the sin in the hearts of all who wanted to condemn and kill this woman for her sin. Faced with their own sin they simply had to drop their rocks and walk away. I love what Jesus says to the woman when all the accusers ran away.. He was without sin. He could have rejected her, or humiliated her.. but instead He redeemed her. She knows what she deserves and yet He says, “where are your accusers?” when she replies “none Lord, there are none” he responds neither do I condemn you (and oh, He truly was the only one that could) He releases her, in freedom and love.. .He redeems her and tells her to “go and sin no more.”. Jesus on the cross did not remind the criminals hanging next to Him of their terrible sins.. He did not condemn them, or guilt them, or even check for signs of remorse. His heart, even in death was to redeem rather than punish.
Obviously, I could go on and on… I can tell you about inmates on Death row. I can share the secular argument and struggle that non believers have with the DP. Every year new States abolish the death Penalty. The conflict is spiritual, moral, political, financial, social.. but in all there is great conflict and debate. If I have not lost you yet, read this article by Sister Helen. She is the author of the book that became a movie called “Dead Man Walking”. I have been fortunate enough to meet her and talk to her and she is passionate about the Death Penalty.
http://salt.claretianpubs.org/issues/deathp/prejean.html
Above all, I have been interested and encouraged to see believers who dare to talk in open love about difficult topics.
John - Your story/analogy is touching, but it is really about whether or not a sinner is condemned to hell, not whether he is executed on this earth. The criminal on the cross next to Jesus was executed but Christ still saved him from his sins.
I just wonder if the death penalty is such an evil thing, why would God command it? Did God not understand the consequences of such a command? Isn't God love, and isn't God just?
I read most of the article from the link you posted. And sure, the death penalty can seem horrible and you feel bad for the person who receives it, especially if you watched the execution take place.
But what if you were a parent who witnessed your child being brutally raped or your wife beaten to death? What if you had seen the guy on death row commit his crime?
And in regard to the woman caught in the act of adultery, in my opinion I don't think it is wise to decided such an important issue on a passage that is debated as to whether it was originally written by John or added by some scribe later on as it is not found in the earliest manuscripts. I think it's mostly likely part of God's word, but I wouldn't decide a doctrine on it. But who was the man that committed adultery with the woman? Could he be one of the scribes or Pharisees accusing her? There was a major rabbi who taught that you could divorce for basically any reason, such as your wife burning dinner, and adultery & re-marriage was rampant among the Pharisees in those days. They most likely had committed the same crime would be unworthy to put her to death.
Besides all that, they seemed to be attempting to trap Jesus because it was illegal for the Jews to carry out their own executions under Roman law, which is why Jesus was taken to the Roman authorities to be executed.
Jason K… thanks for your input. Earlier you posted that the death penalty is an “incredibly merciful gift to humanity if used properly.” Understanding that this is your belief, I doubt much of what I say will truly impact you. I disagree however that killing people for punishment is an act of mercy. It seems rather to be and act of revenge and judgment based on the laws of man.
I think we have to remember that capital punishment is not the only deterrent to terrible crime. Almost every State has life in prison with no parole.. that is, the inmate never is released no matter what. You cite that inmates get great privileges in prison, but have you ever been inside a real prison? I have and they are scary, depressive, and explicitly focused on punishment. . While an inmate may get an opportunity to watch limited TV, is that a freedom that is so great? Think of all the real freedoms you have.. to walk in a park, to play with your kids, to read any book, or go on a vacation. You can watch a sunset, and run in the rain, go skiing, or go out on a date.. To smell, and taste, and touch things that are not only made of iron and cement. Life in prison is a terrible punishment
We do however agree in what you also shared earlier, that the “death penalty doesn’t work in America.” Your arguments actually support my belief that the DP is wrong both morally and politically. Many Christians cite that we are to uphold the law of the land, to honor our government and political leaders, and the laws they create. If that is true should believers accept and support the nearly million legal abortions our constitution currently supports? While our government is clear when it comes to killing the unborn, it is greatly confused and divided at best when it comes to capital punishment.
As of 2003, the death penalty was authorized in 38 states, but only 11 of those states executed anyone.
Alaska, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia all oppose the Death Penalty
New Mexico, Nebraska, Montana, Maine and even Colorado are all currently considering the constitutionality of the Death Penalty and are moving closer each day to abolishing it.
-- The U.S. Supreme Court currently has pending a decision on whether or not juveniles should be eligible for the death penalty.
Historically our country has been confused about capital punishment.
In 1967 the U.S. Supreme Court imposed a temporary ban on further use of the death penalty while it reviewed its constitutionality.
The United States suspended executions in 1972 but resumed them in 1977
You disagree with Capital punishment because it is not applied with enough speed. The same government that instituted the DP also established the laws for all the appeals granted post conviction. Even in the States that kill the most, costs for the trial alone overshadow the costs of incarcerating a person to life in prison.
The average cost of a capital trial in Texas is $2.3 million, three times the cost of incarceration of a single individual at the highest security level for 40 years. In Florida, each execution costs the state $3.2 million, compared to $600,000 for life imprisonment.
Christians boast that we are a Christian Nation and yet we compete with the most tyrannical countries when it comes to killing our own.
In 2007 the largest number of verifiable executions were carried out in the six countries listed below:
China 470+
Iran 317+
Saudi Arabia 143+
Pakistan 135+
USA 42+
Iraq 33+
Another danger of the DP (even with our lengthy appeals) is that innocent people will be executed because of errors in the criminal justice system. A total of 69 people have been released from death row since 1973 after evidence of their innocence emerged. Twenty-one condemned inmates have been released since 1993.
You also share often that God accepted and ordained capital punishment for murderers… which He did prior to the ministry of Christ. He also condoned execution for other crimes or sins that few mention in this argument:
Abuse of father or mother (Exo 21:15)
Adultery and fornication (Lev 20:10-12, Deu 22:22)
Blasphemy against God (Lev 24:14-16,23)
Breaking the Sabbath (Exo 31:14, Num 15:32-36)
Contempt of court (Deu 17:8-13)
Fortune telling and practicing sorcery (Lev 20:27)
Having intercourse with animals (Exo 22:19)
Homosexuality (Lev 20:13)
A woman found not virgin at marriage (Deu 22:20-21)
Having intercourse with a betrothed woman. (Deu 22:23-24)
Incest (Lev 20:11-12,14,19-21)
Kidnapping (Exo 21:16)
Murder (Gen 9:6, Exo 21:12, Num 35:16-21)
Practicing magic (Exo 22:18)
Rape of someone who is engaged (Deu 22:25)
Religious people who mislead others to fall away (Deu 13:1-5; 18:20)
Speaking a curse over parents (Exo 21:17)
The daughter of a priest practicing prostitution (Lev 21:9)
To bear false testimony at a trial (Deu 19:16,19)
Worshipping idols (Exo 22:20, Lev 20:1-5, Deu 17:2-7).
But what about the first murderer? We know that God did not smite Cain on the spot, but rather pardoned him… and protected him against anyone else that might try to kill him. He cursed Cain with consequences, but He did not execute him for his terrible crime. What about David, who had every right to kill Saul and yet restrained his servant saying, "Do not harm him, for who can lay hands on the Lord's anointed and remain unpunished." He had the right to execute but refused to take the Lord’s judgment into his own hands.
I agree that the story I shared regarding Jesus and the woman caught in adultery may not have been part of the earliest manuscripts, but the story sure sounds like the Jesus I know. Though I used this story it is not one in which I have based my doctrine on. The ministry of Christ was one of reconciliation and redemption. He carried the sins of us all so that we could have hope and promise. Jesus seemed to continually preach and share the gospel of forgiveness throughout His ministry. He told his disciples plainly, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you and pray for those who maltreat you."
Jesus most often spoke of love, mercy, and forgiveness.. For Christians who actually do profess to be imitators of the crucified one, supporting the death penalty is confusing to me. If we say that certain people are incapable of redemption and hope we limit the power of God and the ministry of Jesus in their lives. We snuff out the work of the cross because we would rather condemn than forgive. Murderers should be punished, they are punished.. but they can be rightly sent to prison and never released into society rather than being executed by our government.
The executed man can never repent, or be restored. He cannot attempt to reconcile with the families of the victim. The executed man cannot share his testimony and encourage others (as Jesus so often encouraged new converts to do). The victim is not honored by the death of this man. His death does not give them freedom, or bring end to their pain. Families of victims often admit that witnessing the execution did not give them peace or closure, but a new sense of loss in dealing with their grief. In fact many who find their healing later in life share a feeling of guilt and shame over their desires to see the accuser put to death.
You asked me what I would do if someone brutally killed my wife and children. I can tell you that I would be devastated but in no circumstance would I support the DP for the accuser. For my own heart I would ask God to shower His mercy on me so that against my own weakness I could forgive. Forgiveness always frees the one who offers it more than the one who it is administered to. I carry a small card in my wallet that offers my declaration of life. In short, it says that if I am murdered in a cruel or terrible way, and my voice as a victim is ever considered, I ask that my perpetrator never be considered for the sentenced to death.
Who can separate themselves from the Love of God? He promises mercy to those that show mercy… I know God has been merciful to me.
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