Expert: Brian Thompson - 8/13/2011

Question
Hey Brian,

Hey Joe,

I am a Baptist christian and have recently noted divergant perspectives within christianity towards captial punishment.I am hoping to use this case study to better help me understand the distinctions between the denominations, as i am hoping to find a church of my own soon.

On one hand there is the sanctity of life and teachings emphasizing forgiveness and compassion. Yet In my reasurch i have found paul does not condem capital punishemnt on these principal he condones it. In the name of justice and the common good. Paul speaks of not “bearing the sword in vein” Romans (13 :3-5) .(which is a reference to the death penalty according to several interpretations i have read. (Similar attitude seen in acts 25:11)  
Jesus spoke of turning the other cheek and acting not in revenge during his sermon on the mount.
Yet he acknoleges pillates right to take his life for law and order, even thouhg to punish Jesus was clearly not just,(i understand its not as simple as that)
New International Version (©1984) John 19:11

Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."

The punishment of innocents (Jesus or anyother human) like this horifies me .God has sanctified captial punishement ,sancitioning it as lawful punishemt for several crimes in the old testament.

But what if the civil authority does not reflect Gods justice?
God has the right to take life, but when is it our “justice” not Gods,as he has made life sacred in his own image ?

IS it the death penalty still relavent to a modern context?
Are these teachings a call to response, if we act upone these teachings, what would it looks like ? As an Australian do I condem or condone ?
Can you help me reconsile an understanding, what do you believe on the issue and why?
With all due respect,
thanks you for your time Brian
Jeremy Hutton.

Answer
Hello Jeremy who is Joe?

I'm going to work on this one at a personal level Jeremy

I think you have to come back to the reason for the law. It was given to identify sin and God was very Specific. As he is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow his attitude hasn't changed and the Scripture cannot be broken, Jesus told us that. Therefore I think God's instructions still stand and we should not water down the Laws he gave us when dealing with transgressors. There are certain crimes he considered heinous. God did not balk at destroying a life made in his image, he did not shrink from destroying a flawed vessel. Why, because the life did not reflect his will

We live in a time of grace, but do all live in that grace? or is it those who acknowledge Jesus and follow his teachings. All sins are not equal under the Law even though God makes no distinction. This because God has provided the covering for the penalty of the Law. You speak of the punishment of innocents and yes, no one wants that, but we cannot suspend the Law because an innocent might be punished rather we must be especially careful before accusing anyone as Jesus was careful before accusing Mary.

There are people in our community who commit reprehensible acts who are released to commit their vile crimes again and destroy the lives of their victims. Some have even brought Jesus into disrepute by associating themselves with him. Such people should be dealt with with capital punishment. No short sentence while their victims suffer a life sentence. Such people should hear the Gospel and have an opportunity to repent and receive Jesus but society is entitled to the penalty of the Law.

No matter what judgements we suffer in this life, that is not the end of the matter, our deeds will also need to be explained before God. Only the blood of Jesus can prevent the full judgement of the Law taking its rightfull penalty, therefore whatever penalty we suffer here is the lesser penalty.

Lastly, God appoints the authorities and it is our fervent hope that they will administer justice according to God's Law, even though we know that often they do not. They too will answer for their indescretions. Have faith in the Word of God, it is the higher authority