The death penalty is one of the most controversial and debated-about issues among Christians and non-Christians alike. A survey on Christia.net.com reveals that believers are divided over the morality of the death penalty.
Of the Christians surveyed, 49 percent were in favor of the death penalty, pointing to the oft-cited line in Leviticus 24:20 - "...eye for eye, tooth for tooth...". They also believe that Genesis 9:6, which states: "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man," condones the death penalty.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, 38 percent of Christians stand adamantly against the death penalty. These respondents point to Matthew 5:38-39: "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."
A small group of Christians are unsure about whether or not the death penalty should be condoned. One person in this category argued that DNA testing often reveals false convictions. Proof of innocence does not do anything for a person who was already given the death penalty. According to another respondent, "We can't look back to the Old Testament to make a decision because we're not under that now. I just know that I wouldn't want to be the one to decide. But something needs to be done with those who murder and maim people."
So what do you think? Where do you stand on the death penalty? Where should a Christian stand on this life-and-death issue?
Christians can not kill people. We do not support other people killing other people. Therefore, we can not support any death penalty.
The state is to reward the good and punish the wicked (Romans 13:1-7). I don't think that means they should kill the wicked but they do. Christians should ask the state to be moral with their punishment.
Romans 12:17-21 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
I would site the Romans 13 passages as well but only to prove that the state has the absolute authority to take a life. 1st century Christians knew exactly what "bearing the sword" meant. There may be Christians who work for those particular institutions where the punishment is carried out (ie. Law enforcment, Judges, soldiers, corrections officers). If justice is on their side I see no need in hampering their conscience with what no one can prove from scripture. By that I mean the statement that a Christian can not kill. And yes I think that murder and killing are two separate things.
Grace and peace!
~Michael
When a state conducts an execution, it is not the same as an individual killing someone. If someone kills my wife, and I kill him, that's vengeance and murder, and it's wrong. If someone kills my wife, and the state kills him, that's an execution, and is not necessarily bound by the same criteria--it may be wrong, or it may be not, but it's not as clear-cut.
The difference is that vengeance and murder are acts of the individual imposing their will on another's rights, while an execution is the state deeming that one's actions have caused them to lose a right (in this case, the Right to Life).
For a good comparison, the difference between murder and execution is the difference between kidnapping and imprisonment. Both involve the loss of a different right, the Right to Liberty. It's hard to think of a situation in which kidnapping would not be wrong. But imprisonment, while it could be used immorally (Nelson Mandela, St. Paul), is not necessarily immoral, because it is done not by an individual but by a state.
Notice that the New Testament was aimed towards individuals and communities, but not governments, and most of its commands are regarding the behavior of individuals and communities. The Old Testament, however, has instructions for a government as well. While I'm not saying that every moral government must be a theocracy like ancient Israel was, the fact that in governmental commands God mandated capital punishment (as opposed to something like slavery which was regulated) means that it's not intrinsically immoral.
The death penalty is one of the most controversial and debated-about issues among Christians and non-Christians alike. A survey on Christia.net.com 
Comments (3)
Christians can not kill people. We do not support other people killing other people. Therefore, we can not support any death penalty.
The state is to reward the good and punish the wicked (Romans 13:1-7). I don't think that means they should kill the wicked but they do. Christians should ask the state to be moral with their punishment.
Romans 12:17-21
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
I would site the Romans 13 passages as well but only to prove that the state has the absolute authority to take a life. 1st century Christians knew exactly what "bearing the sword" meant. There may be Christians who work for those particular institutions where the punishment is carried out (ie. Law enforcment, Judges, soldiers, corrections officers). If justice is on their side I see no need in hampering their conscience with what no one can prove from scripture. By that I mean the statement that a Christian can not kill. And yes I think that murder and killing are two separate things.
Grace and peace!
~Michael
When a state conducts an execution, it is not the same as an individual killing someone. If someone kills my wife, and I kill him, that's vengeance and murder, and it's wrong. If someone kills my wife, and the state kills him, that's an execution, and is not necessarily bound by the same criteria--it may be wrong, or it may be not, but it's not as clear-cut.
The difference is that vengeance and murder are acts of the individual imposing their will on another's rights, while an execution is the state deeming that one's actions have caused them to lose a right (in this case, the Right to Life).
For a good comparison, the difference between murder and execution is the difference between kidnapping and imprisonment. Both involve the loss of a different right, the Right to Liberty. It's hard to think of a situation in which kidnapping would not be wrong. But imprisonment, while it could be used immorally (Nelson Mandela, St. Paul), is not necessarily immoral, because it is done not by an individual but by a state.
Notice that the New Testament was aimed towards individuals and communities, but not governments, and most of its commands are regarding the behavior of individuals and communities. The Old Testament, however, has instructions for a government as well. While I'm not saying that every moral government must be a theocracy like ancient Israel was, the fact that in governmental commands God mandated capital punishment (as opposed to something like slavery which was regulated) means that it's not intrinsically immoral.