Does the Bible say that God condones capital punishment? What do you think of my idea about this issue?

Question

I have often been told that here are biblical passages which say that God allows for the state to execute people. Essentially, God condones the death penalty by the state. I find this to be a rather weak argument in arguing FOR the use of the death penalty today.

There is so much more in the bible about loving everyone, even your enemies - even those who HATE you and would try to do you the worst possible harm.

And Jesus came to save people. All can be redeemed through Him. So killing someone would take away this as a possible fate of a person's soul.

Jesus also tells us to forgive.

Therefore, while the Bible may in some passages that state authorized execution is okay, the best arrangement for our society is to never kill any person, accept in the immediate need for self defense. This policy would be supported by all of the other Biblical teachings about preserving life, loving sinners (but not their sins), and forgiveness.

Your thoughts?

Answer 1

I agree with you.

The old testiment law did allow for capital punishment, but it also called for an eye for an eye (leviticus 24: 19-21). Later Jesus tells us that we should not seek an eye for an eye (Matthew 5:38-39). Where does this leave us for the enforcement of the Law? Are we to be punished for trimming our beard (Leviticus 19:27)?

In the new testiment this verse is often pointed to:

"For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." (Romans 13:4)

Here Paul is talking about governments and many point to the term "beareth the sword" to indicate that God sees it as okay. However, this verse does not actualy say this. All it says is that when we do wrong we sould be afraid because the government will kill us. Paul is telling us what will happen, not what God wills to happen.

Here are a couple more verses that are often used:

Mat 15:4 "For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death."

Jesus is not condoning capital punishment here, he is quoting exodus 21:17 to show that it is wrong to dishonor your parents. This he uses to make a point to some pharases. Context is very important.

Just because it was a punishable offence back then doesn't mean it should be today. If all the law were enforced fully, most of us would be dead. (Like the verse said, if we talked back to our parents we would have been put to death.)

"Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." (Romans 1:32)

Paul does not say that they should be put to death but that they are worthy of it. The last time i checked all sinners (aka all of us) are worthy of death.

I have yet to find any verses that uphold capital punishment when taken into context. On the other hand, God tells us that revenge is his to deal with:

"For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. " (Hebrews 10:30)

When we execute a person, it cuts of the opportunity for them to recieve salvation. I am not willing for this to happen. I respect all life, both the unborn and the sinful. And if the the above verse is correct and our job is not to punish, what harm would it bring to give a person life in prison instead of the death penalty?

Answer 2

There are 3 schools of thought in the Bible:

1. The law of the old Testament

2. Jesus' way, Love and forgiveness found in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

3. A more hard line on things by those who's writings were thought to be inspired by God after Jesus had walked the earth. These writings were canonized by men.

I prefer to stick with Jesus' teaching on this.

As far as it being the LAW of the land, Well I am a proud American and if the larger number of my fellow American are PRO death penalty, so be it. But whenever it comes up for a vote I will vote NO!

Answer 3

In the old testament it is indeed condoned by the prophets as some of them were the one executing the believers of baal due to their over zealousness, however, in the new testament, this was rebuff by Jesus. In an incident the townspeople presented to him an adulterous woman who was caught in the act of committing adultery. Punishment for such a crime is stoning until death. To make the story short, he told them that he who has no sin can cast the first stone, sparing the life of the woman. Death by the hands of man was not condoned by Jesus Christ for he is not a
mere prophet but the Son of the Living God!!!

Answer 4

I'm not going to go into chapter and verse, but there are many instances of capital punishment in the bible...commited by, and condoned by god.

The bible states that one should publicly stone a disobedient child.

Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by god, for not following his laws.

The first born sons of Egypt were killed by god.

The great flood wiped out almost the entire population of the planet, by gods hand (they didn't obey god).

The crucifixion tale illustrates someone being put to death for 'the greater good'.

Let's not forget the whole, 'an eye for an eye' speech as well...

My thoughts are different, though. The death penalty has been shown, statistically, to not be a deterrent to violent crimes. I would rather see justice, than death. Here are a few examples:

Castration (chemical or otherwise) of repeat sex offenders.

An elderly woman was beaten to death in Florida, by a man who has no remorse for his crime (he confessed to the crime), while the state debates on whether or not lethal injection is humane. Rather than be concerned with him not feeling pain, I would rather see this woman's family and loved ones, be given the opportunity to inflict the same damage (in the same way) to him. It would be up to them whether to do so, or let him rot in prison.

Everyone deserves a second chance, however, all too often that chance is squandered.

Answer 5

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: Matthew 5:38
I support the death penalty for those who are guilty of their crime without a doubt.
If they have taken a life, then why should they have the privilege to keep living theirs. It is just not right. The person they murdered didn't want to die and they had a right to live and enjoy their life and their loved ones. Only God should have the power to say when our time on this earth is up and when it is time for us to be sent to our place to spend eternity.
Life in prison is no picnic I am sure, for you have lost all of your personal freedom. But think about the person whose life they ended. They don't even have the joy of enjoying foods, smelling beautiful flowers, breathing, seeing their children grow up, simply enjoying life was taken away from them. So why should the person who killed them be given the right to live even if it is in prison. Their lives should be required also, and if our laws were more strict on this issue, there would be less murders. I know God is a merciful God and a forgiving God. He loves us all, but He does not love sin and sin comes with a price and we have to reap what we sow. If they take away the death penalty, the murder rates will soar, because to some life in prison is not that bad of a thing. They have been in there before, they get free food, medical care, college degrees, etc...., but what did the person whose life they ended get? And Look at all the pain they have put the victims families through.
We all have our opinions and this will be debated until the end of time I am sure. I feel for those who are on death row and I pray that they can make their peace with God before they die and then they can spend an eternity in Heaven with Our Lord.
God Bless you!

Answer 6

It not purely condones it, it *demands* it. sure, this is in many cases interior the previous testomony (yet not fullyyt)...even nevertheless it is the comparable god in the two testaments, good? Or is it? in case you assert the bible would not condone or call for the dying penalty, then you definately could forget approximately the different "regulation" or command interior the previous testomony -- such because of the fact the ten commandments, the prohibitions against homosexuality, and each thing else. if so, purely the "regulation" interior the recent testomony applies...and because there is for all useful objective no "regulation" interior the recent testomony, each and all of the arguments approximately christian "morality" circulate bye-bye. you are able to not have it the two techniques... Peace.

Answer 7

Not read all Bibles-so diverse they are .One thing I guess that "super" humans could have inserted the capital punishment is a way to contain negative ( worst) behaviors and sent it to the account of their Gods.Nor hear any priest talk of capital punish ment as something divine (cast)!
My thoughts at such ( above) are to revolutionary but loaded with common sense which many refuse to accept until they fall (and cry for help which none hears except themselves!) [
You may read a friend-Harry SIKANISARI ' multiple books at redress of the world social order if you have the luck to lay hands on them ; all on floppies up to now.]

Answer 8

After the flood God spoke to Noah as the representative of the human race.

Genesis 9:6 Whoever sheds man's blood,
By man his blood shall be shed,
For in the image of God
He made man.

Here God requires capital punishment in the case of murder.

In the New Testament we read:

Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;
4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. 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 in the New Testament we see that God allows the government to use capital punishment for an appropriate offense. However we as individuals are forbidden to take vengence ourselves.

Answer 9

Capital punishment is condoned in the scriptures. Here are a few examples:
Gen. 9: 6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.
Gen. 42: 22 his blood is required.
Ex. 21: 12 so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
Lev. 20: 10 adulteress shall surely be put to death.
Num. 35: 16 murderer shall surely be put to death.
Num. 35: 27 revenger of blood kill the slayer.
Deut. 17: 5 shalt stone them . . . till they die.
Deut. 17: 6 he that is worthy of death be put to death.
Deut. 22: 21 stone her with stones that she die.
Josh. 1: 18 rebel . . . shall be put to death.
Ezra 7: 26 judgment be executed . . . whether it be unto death.
Esth. 4: 11 there is one law of his to put him to death.
Matt. 15: 4 curseth father or mother, let him die.
Rom. 1: 32 they which commit such things are worthy of death.
Lev. 24: 17 he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.

Christ never said that if forgiven that a person would not be punished. He also said that any who murder is subject to the Law. Forgiveness is required of us, the victim. Remember, "vengence is mine, saith the Lord." We are taught to forgive all that perpetrate such evil upon us. In order for a person to be absolved of the sin or sins, he first need to ask for it. Then there is absolution and not the Catholic type. That which is taken must be given back three or four times the amount taken. The reason why murder is unforgiveable is that the murderer cannot bring a person back from the grave. As the scripture says, "he who murder, his blood is required," just to paraphrase.

Answer 10

The Bible seems to condone the death penalty for murder cases, and this pre-dates the law. So we can't make the case that we're not under the law and not subject to this particular rule.

We can forgive those who murder someone, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't receive the consequences of their actions.

You touched on it when you talked about loving sinners but not their sins.

You're also mixing the rights of a person (ok to kill for self-defence) to those of the state (which is obligated to keep the peace).

So without going into it too deeply I'd say your ideas are weakly argued. You'd have to make a better case and you'd have to cite scripture that's consistent with good hermenutics. That is, you can't just pull a verse out of the OT and another out of the NT.. You need to show why each verse applies to us today.