rumitoid

Here is the crux of the argument: the debate is about the relationship between Christ’s call for forgiveness and the legitimate powers of the state. An example of a complication: can a Christian vote on a jury for the death penalty? But the debate is not just about capital punishment but what it means to be a Christian. We can see the complications of that in our present day politics and social issues. Yet let us not take the question of the death penalty as an abstract but a true demonstration of our faith in Christ. So, yea or nay?

Below is a rather lengthy two-sided argument exploring the possible pros and cons of this question. It is, to me, a complicated question and to summarize it all seems to come down to a matter of conscience, as most disputable matters usually do. Many of you already have your made made up one way or the other. I thought I did until a half dozen articles on the subject by Christian scholars arguing both for and against. I think the question can only be resolved individually through prayer and fasting, if one is earnest in seeking the truth of the matter. So what I wrote below may be superfluous.

The philosopher Anthenagoras of Athens condemned the death penalty when he wrote that Christians “cannot endure even to see a man put to death, though justly.”

But as Christianity became more connected with state power, European Christian monarchs and governments regularly carried out the death penalty until its abolition in the 1950s through the European Convention on Human Rights. In the Western world, today, only the United States and Belarus retain capital punishment for crimes not committed during wartime. Does that fact concern you?

The question almost comes down to dueling Testaments on the subject, but not really. In the Old Testament, the concept of “an eye for eye,” is part of the Mosaic Law used in the Israelites’ justice system. The principle is that the punishment must fit the crime and there should be a just penalty for evil actions: “If there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise” (Exodus 21:23–25). Yet there is the case that God never meant this to be literal: God had already established a judicial system to hear cases and determine penalties (Exodus 18:13–26)—a system that would be unnecessary if God had intended a literal “eye for an eye” penalty.

In the New Testament, Jesus seems to overturn Mosaic Law by saying, “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 anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:39–42).

However, in giving this “new” command, Jesus is not nullifying the Old Testament law (Matthew 5:17). Rather, He is separating the responsibility of the government (to punish evildoers justly) from the responsibility we all have on a personal level before God to love our enemies. We should not seek retribution for personal slights. We are to ignore personal insults out of love of neighbor. (And for OPP members, cut each other a break, lol.)

Those Christians who support capital punishment argue that Jesus was talking about heavenly realities, not the earthly matters that governments have to deal with. Christians who oppose the death penalty say that being Christian means bringing heavenly realities to the here and now.

Excerpts taken from these two sites:
https://www.gotquestions.org/eye-for-an-eye.html
https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/an-eye-for-an-eye-bible-verse-and-christian-study/

Parky60 Loc: People's Republic of Illinois

What does the Bible say about the death penalty / capital punishment?
The Old Testament law commanded the death penalty for various acts: murder (Exodus 21:12), kidnapping (Exodus 21:16), bestiality (Exodus 22:19), adultery (Leviticus 20:10), homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13), being a false prophet (Deuteronomy 13:5), prostitution and rape (Deuteronomy 22:24), and several other crimes. However, God often showed mercy when the death penalty was due. David committed adultery and murder, yet God did not demand his life be taken (2 Samuel 11:1-5, 14-17; 2 Samuel 12:13). Ultimately, every sin we commit should result in the death penalty because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Thankfully, God demonstrates His love for us in not condemning us (Romans 5:8).

When the Pharisees brought a woman who was caught in the act of adultery to Jesus and asked Him if she should be stoned, Jesus replied, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). This should not be used to indicate that Jesus rejected capital punishment in all instances. Jesus was simply exposing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. The Pharisees wanted to trick Jesus into breaking the Old Testament law; they did not truly care about the woman being stoned (where was the man who was caught in adultery?) God is the One who instituted capital punishment: “Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man” (Genesis 9:6). Jesus would support capital punishment in some instances. Jesus also demonstrated grace when capital punishment was due (John 8:1-11). The apostle Paul definitely recognized the power of the government to institute capital punishment where appropriate (Romans 13:1-7).

How should a Christian view the death penalty? First, we must remember that God has instituted capital punishment in His Word; therefore, it would be presumptuous of us to think that we could institute a higher standard. God has the highest standard of any being; He is perfect. This standard applies not only to us but to Himself. Therefore, He loves to an infinite degree, and He has mercy to an infinite degree. We also see that He has wrath to an infinite degree, and it is all maintained in a perfect balance.

Second, we must recognize that God has given government the authority to determine when capital punishment is due (Genesis 9:6; Romans 13:1-7). It is unbiblical to claim that God opposes the death penalty in all instances. Christians should never rejoice when the death penalty is employed, but at the same time, Christians should not fight against the government’s right to execute the perpetrators of the most evil of crimes.

https://www.gotquestions.org/death-penalty.html

rumitoid

Excellent arguments. Thank you. But what about my question: Can a Christian on a jury vote for the death penalty? For me, that is wrong according to Christ's words. And the law of the Old Testament was put to death.

Parky60 Loc: People's Republic of Illinois

Reread the article and the biblical quotes. YES, a Christian on a jury can vote for the death penalty.

rumitoid

I thoroughly disagree. Read my thread.

Parky60 Loc: People's Republic of Illinois

You don’t read your Bible very much. It can’t be any plainer.

Malachi 3:6a (NASB)
“For I, the Lord, do not change.”

Genesis 9:6 (NASB)
[God said,] “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man.”

rumitoid

The beatitudes of Jesus and Matthew 5:13-47 talk about the "change" in thinking toward much of the OT, not because God changed his mind but because the Jews did not fully understand the spirit of what the father wanted of them. They came to rest more on the Letter of the Law.

Yes, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I said absolutely nothing to question or refute that fact. If you will please point out where you believe I contradicted that, I would be most appreciative.

Rose42

Is it wrong? Remember what happened to Ananias and Sepphira in Acts?

rumitoid

The two selfish thieves? I remember. Did God ask or command the community to try, convict, and execute them? Vengeance is mine, saith the lord. Not ours.

Rose42

Then by your argument no one should be put in prison either. You may be personally against the death penalty but there is nothing definitive in God’s word that says its wrong.

rumitoid

What? Death is a whole lot different than life. Prison is not our wisest solution to crime yet it is not murder.

"... there is nothing definitive in God’s word that says its wrong." As there is nothing truly definitive against abortion, but quite the opposite. No mention of the Trinity or Second Coming. No big thing. Things like "turn the other cheek," "love of neighbor," forgiveness and mercy, and so on. Multiple verses crying out against capital punishment. Try this exercise, Rose. Earnestly look to refute yourself.

Rose42

You can’t have it both ways. Capital punishment is also not murder.



Ask yourself why Christan scholars all agree that God has a triune nature, that abortion is wrong and that Christ is coming again. Then look at the division about capital punishment. Its not as simple as you’re trying to make it.

rumitoid

Scholars do not nearly all agree about God's triune nature, quite the opposite, and that abortion is wrong not so much (and by the Jews against Scripture), and that Christ is coming again up in the air.

Rose42

Yes they do agree. Those who incorporate mysticism are not Christian scholars.

rumitoid

What? Nothing whatsoever to do with Mysticism but the careful and scholarly study of the Bible's origins through a inflection of ancient texts. A triune God seems very likely to have been invented by an overzealous monk misreading some notes in the margins of a 1st Century Codex.