Expert: Joe Norman - 8/13/2011

Question
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 ?
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 Joe
Jeremy Hutton.

Answer
Hi Jeremy,

Thank you for choosing to ask me your questions. I will do my best and apologize for taking so long to reply. I am working and in college too so my time is limited. In regard to the churches of Christ, we do not consider ourselves a denomination but rather believe we have restored the true church as designed according to the New Testament. We have no book of creeds or doctrines we follow. We only have the Bible to guide is in how to worship acceptably, organize the Lord's church, and all things regarding Christian living. Each local church is independent and autonomous so there are generally minor differences from one local church and another but overall mostly the same...of course more and more churches are becoming very liberal and mimic denominations and some even consider themselves a denomination or evangelical or something. But the majority of our congregations are adhering to the Word of God.

If you asked each member of every local church of Christ about their views on capital punishment, you would most likely get people holding to different sides. Most probably do support capital punishment though. I personally also support capital punishment and one of my main reasons is due to that passage in Romans.

Rom.13:1-4
1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

You asked what if the civil authority doesn't reflect God's justice? We can condemn such things that are contrary to God's justice but we are still bound to live under the authority of our local governments. You asked when does it become our justice and not God's? It becomes our justice when we take the law into our own hands rather than letting our laws and authorities apply punishment or justice.

You asked me if the death penalty is still relevant to our modern context and I say yes it is relevant. I don't understand the question - Are these teachings a call to response, if we act upon these teachings, what would it look like? As an Australian do I condemn or condone? Please help me understand those questions in a follow up if you wish an answer to them.

I firmly believe in and support capital punishment because sometimes certain crimes deserve no less than death. Yes I hate even thinking about anyone being put to death or sentenced to life in prison who is innocent, but I firmly believe those are a very small percentage and God ultimately rights all wrongs in this world.

I hope I have been of help. Please feel free to ask more questions if you need to and I pray God's blessings on you as you strive to serve Him.

In Christian Love, Joe