Does the Bible promote the death penalty?

Question

If so, how does it overcome puting someone to death to not be a sin?

Answer 1

Depends which part you pay attention to. Obviously the "Old Testament" prescribes death for a wide variety of offenses, many of which seem incredibly petty and trivial to the modern sensibility. It's as if God reveled in commanding the violation of the 6th Commandment as a means of redressing every other kind of violation.

The "Christian" idea is that then Jesus came along, and now we no longer have to carry out the ruthless edicts of the savage and bloodthirsty OT God - except when convenient. I know many "Christians" who would heartily endorse stoning gay people to death on the strength of a cherry-picked text from Leviticus, yet refrain from sacrificing oxen to IHVH or shunning menstruating women because of the "Good News of Jesus." I suppose the Bible is only contradictory if you're capable of discerning contradictions.

Answer 2

The Bible (and particularly the Old Testament) is rife with passages calling for the death penalty for everything from murder (Genesis 9:6), to working on Sundays (Numbers 15:35), to disobedient children (Exodus 21:15 & 17), to homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13), to not being a virgin on your wedding night...if you're a woman (Deuteronomy 22:13-22).

But there are also many passages that are AGAINST capital punishment. For example, Matthew 5:38-39 insists that violence shall not beget violence. James 4:12 says that God is the only one who can take a life in the name of justice. 1 Peter 3:9 argues AGAINST “eye for an eye”-type punishments. Leviticus 19:18 warns against vengeance (which, really, is what the death penalty amounts to). In John 8:7, Jesus himself says, "let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

And, as you touched on in your question, the whole "thou shalt not kill" thing is about as vague as you can get. Many people say that there is a distinction between murder and killing, but I've never heard a convincing definition of "murder" that was not self-serving. Taken VERY literally, this commandment means you should not commit the sin of weeding (killing plants).

This is one of the many things on which the Bible contradicts itself, so you just have to make up your own mind.

As Shakespeare once said, "the Devil can cite Scripture for his purpose."

Answer 3

In life man promotes and God lets him have free will to orchestrate what ever he dictates is a penalty for this generation. Some people are put to death just for waking up in the morning. No one knows what tomorrow will bring...we have evil lurking around ready to kill and steal and destroy lives even as we speak. If a person comes to God first he must believe that he exist and that he does reward everyone that diligently seeks him. Tell me that man on death row? Did he do evil to victims effecting their families and friends because he has harmed by them? Did not the state or government warn them against the measures that would be taken if such a crime was commited? Did they ever see and example of this carried out? Is there anyone in the dark about the law and its rules? Then why blame God or his word. Man gave his word and apparently fat meat is not greasy. He does it anyway. This cause and effect comes from the sins of our forefathers and the sins of this generation....look if a person is brought up to know these things and does them anyway. He not only sins against man but he also does it against God....Do not get it twisted. God does forgive and he does love. He also sets limits. If you do not know the word of God and swings the Bible and say the things you say. Then you are ignorant. Sin what is it...sin. Anything against the word and standards of God is sin. Man does whatever he wants for the good or for the bad. Man sends someone to death row and he is guilty of the same sin. He kills the poor and the needy. He ignores the lost and the suffering. He spends his time on his own desires and gives nothing away. Yet in the end who pays. God does repay if not in this life time,in are childrens life time. He is sovereign and he is still good.

Answer 4

In ancient times the book of Deuteromony chapter 19 verses 18-19 spoke of retribution for crimes or sins committed; however, in the new testament where Jesus promoted love and forgiveness, in the book of Matthew chapter 5 verses 38-45 you can read this account.

Today, putting someone to death is a decision that is made by the authorites and whether it's a sin or not, I can't say,, only God in heaven can judge that one.

Answer 5

The Bible does not "promote" the death penalty. It only applies it when necessary.

Putting to death a murderer, somebody who kills an innocent person willingly, is not a sin because the life of his innocent victim has no price: the value of an innocent life is absolute.

Answer 6

The Bible condones the death penalty for offences such as murder, rape, etc... Using the death penalty is not a sin because the commandment that says "thou shalt not kill", when read in Hebrew says "thou shalt not murder". Murder is unlawfully taking a life- capitol punishment is brining justice.

Answer 7

Killing a murderer is not a sin. Killing a rapist is not a sin.
To lie in wait to committ murder against an innocent person is a sin. and murderers cannot have salvation in the flesh for their victim wait them at trial. murderers are one step from the lake of fire.
"Think not that I AM come to destroy the LAW or the prophets...but to fulfill...not one jot shall pass from the law til all be fulfilled....murderers are in danger of the judgment" Matthew 5:17-21.


big kissy for imasis! woo hoo! good answer.

Answer 8

If the stakes are high enough, heinous crimes would not be committed so often. Simply imagine how bad things could get without the death penalty!

Answer 9

Yes; God says a murderer, no matter how much he repents in the flesh, cannot be forgiven; he must be executed and sent to the Father, where he must face both God AND the victim(s).
Now thats what i call fair and just; and, we
won't have another murderer just waiting to get accidently paroled so he can kill someone else.

it is absolutely NOT A SIN to execute someone convicted of Murder.

Answer 10

Romans 13 discusses the role of government from God's perspective, and does include capital punishment.

"For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." (Romans 13:3-4)

Notice that the authority "bears the sword." Swords have but one true purpose. Not to scare people, but to kill them. Governments have the authority to inflict capital punishment on those who commit heinous crimes.