Does the Bible allow for capital punishment?
I would say, not only does it allow for capital punishment, it encourages it when warranted. When is it warranted? Well, certainly the law in numerous places (Exodus 21, Numbers 35, etc.) tells the people of Israel to practice capital punishment in many cases. But one could argue, "Those laws were meant for Israel's society and are not laws made for all people at all time." And they'd be right! There are many laws in the Mosaic code that we don't adhere to because they were and are meant strictly for Israel.
But the call for capital punishment from God comes even before the forming of Israel. Genesis 9:6 commands the whole world (not merely one nation) to a universal principal of justice:
“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image."
Now couple this verse with how Romans 12 & 13 describe the working of civil government:
"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
So Romans 12 says to us individual Christians that we are to never personally seek out vengeance for wrongdoing done to us. Fine.
Now look at Romans 13, directly following the verse just quoted:
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.
Did you read that? Remember how many times we've talked about the doctrine of vocation? In that doctrine we are seeking to show that God fulfills most of what He does in this world through various means (usually people). He gives grace through preachers preaching; gives food through farmers farming. How does He deliver vengeance to the lawbreaker? Not through individual Christians because Christians are called to turn the other cheek and love their enemies. Rather, God delivers His vengeance in this world through civil governments. The Christian cannot take vengeance because vengeance is God's, but then directly after that Paul declares the government is "God's servant, an avenger...." We individual Christians are to "leave it to the wrath of God" to deal with the evildoer. But who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer? The governing authorities. Either Paul is contradicting himself in some strange and weird way, or Paul is distinguishing between two spheres of life: Civil and Spiritual (we've talked about this before too!).
Ok, we've established that God avenges evil (at least in part) and delivers his wrath on the wrongdoer through the governing authorities. Now, what does Paul say the governing authorities carry around with them to deliver vengeance and wrath? A sword. What do swords do? They stab, slice, dice with the intention of severely wounding/killing someone.
So now, we're back at governmental killing of lawbreakers. Is is warranted from Scripture? It seems indisputable to me that it is. However, this is not the case for many within the Church. Objections come up like, "Doesn't the Bible say 'You shall not kill?" "How can we be sure the right person is being executed?""But doesn't the Bible say to turn the other cheek and love our enemies?"
I will deal with those objections and more tomorrow...
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Erick
RECEIVING FROM CHRIST....GROWING IN CHRIST....GOING WITH CHRIST....
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