Expert: Rev. Robert Woods - 11/19/2008

Question
Hello, I am a student at Hofstra University and I am doing a research assignment on Southern Baptist Churches and the differences between them and American Baptist churches. I am focusing particularly on Capital Punishment and the different views both have. So as a Southern Baptist what is your take on the death penalty and why?

Answer
Blessings and thank you for your question.

I have a unique perspective on capital punishment.  I served as an American Baptist Pastor for 10 years and now service in an Southern Baptist Church.  One thing I know for sure is that Baptists are full of opinions on every subject.  Part of what defines Baptists is the idea of autonomy.  Every Baptist church is autonomous and is not bound by any denomination or any other church.  We are in conventions as a means of cooperation in mission support.  So my BC church may have a totally different view than other BC churches and vice versa.  

Now having said all of that, ABC and BC as a whole have different views.  ABC does not believe in capital punishment for a couple of reasons.  First is the "sacredness of life." They believe that no life should be taken away from some one (I find it hypocritical when many of those who oppose capital punishment because of "sacredness of life"  believe that abortion is okay). Second is the idea that as Christians we have the mandate to "overcome evil with good." If a person is executed then he no longer has the opportunity to be saved by transforming action of God.  ABC also points out that our legal system is flawed, sometimes convicting the innocent. There are inequities before the law, enabling many persons of higher status and resources to avoid the death penalty while some persons without these resources are unable to avoid the penalty.  ABC also claims that capital punishment has no real deterrent effect.  ABC believes that we should have creative, redemptive rehabilitation, rather than retribution.

The BC has a totally different view.  While they believe in the sanctity of life, they see capital punishment for murder as morally justifiable.  They say that God Himself authorized capital punishment specifically for murder (the unauthorized taking of human life) after the Noahic Flood, validating its legitimacy in human society (Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed. For in the image of God He made man. Genesis 9:6). In authorizing capital punishment for murder, God states that it is precisely because He made man in His own image that He requires this punishment. While capital punishment is authorized for murder, it is not for theft or destruction of property, however valuable.  BC acknowledges that there are injustices and inequalities in our legal system.  God too required proof of murder.  

There are many Christians that believe that Jesus did not agree with capital punishment since using the woman caught in adultery as an example.  However, the woman was not accused of murder but adultery.  Romans 13 says 4.For he (the government leader) 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.
5.Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

In just a few hours my own state of Kentucky will execute it's first person in years.  He has admitted guilt and is asking for his execution.  I think it should be granted.  I believe that if there is absolutely no doubt a person committed murder, then the death penalty should be an option.  Death should not be an option for any other crime other than murder.  

As a side note, I do not believe this makes me a hypocrite because I do not believe in abortion.  For me, abortion is killing of an innocent life.