I’ve lived in Florida basically my whole life with the exception of a 6 month stint in the land of In-N-Out. In case you were wondering I like mine Double Double Animal Style.
I digress. I just saw that Florida will be holding its first lethal injection on Tuesday since 2006 when one went wrong and it took someone 34 minutes to die which is apparently about twice as long as normal.
A man by the name of Mark Dean Schwab is being lethally injected on Tuesday after the conviction of the kidnapping, rape and murder of an 11 year old boy in 1991. Schwab committed this crime a month after being released early in the state of Florida because of good behavior after raping another boy. There are obviously multiple things happening here. The mother of the second boy was quoted in saying that she thinks that the State of Florida is the victimizer for letting him out cause her boy was killed by this man. I’m sure some will say that the death penalty is wrong and others that it is justified.
I want to know what you think. These are tough issues that Christians need to learn how to think about. I would like you to answer these questions. Is the death penalty biblical? Why or why not?
I challenge you to actually give a biblical answer, not just, “Well I grew up a Republican so its ok, or I grew up a Democrat so its not ok. I personally could care less what party you are from or affiliated with, that shouldn’t dictate your decisions when voting or your views about tough issues like this, the Bible should. So let me hear what you think.
This doesn’t answer your question, but I wish that we’d bring back the stockades. Certain crimes should carry with them some sort of public shame.
I say that to say that judicial punishment is ultimately intended to be a deterrent. Has capital punishment had that effect? I really don’t know the answer to that question. But I do think that re-employing the stockades make an impression.
As far as an answer to your question, I really can’t say one way or the other definitively. But I think that 2nd Peter 3:9 should play a weighty role in the decision we make. By that I mean that if we put someone to death, we (mankind) are making the judgment call that said criminal is beyond the possibility of redemption. Are we qualified to make that call? How many of us would have made such a call about that rogue Pharisee, Saul, in the 1st century?
I’m not saying I’m anti-death penalty. What I am saying is that for a Christian to be pro-death penalty, they have to be THOROUGHLY sure that that person will never, ever obey the Gospel. And that’s a call that I don’t think I could make.
I think there is a difference between being forgiven and enduring consequences. I think Paul was forgiven for his sins when killing Christians, but I’ve always wondered if the physical pain he endured wasn’t a consequence for the pain he inflicted…
As for the American death penalty: I believe that biblically we are called to into account those who take the life of others, and in the ultimate sense of paying with their life.
I’m not in the camp of those who think we we should have the death penalty as a deterrent; it should be in place as a consequence. We should have the death penalty.
BUT…I’m really low on the confidence scale in terms of trusting the current justice system to bring about justice. Biblical mandates are very high on the evidence scale, and I’m not sure money, status, and connections don’t wipe that out. So I’m for the idea, but not our current execution of it. Too many DNA tests set people free these days..
I dont know. I have thought about this topic many times. Thought of where I stand. I think I lean more towards right than wrong.
I’m inclined to be against it. I want to came back with Biblical stuff like you requested but I do not have the time at the moment.
Romans 13:1-4 puts in straight for me.
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God. So the person who resists such authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment (for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation, for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. It is God’s servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer.”
Well, for the record, my voter ID says NPA. We always get left out. Kinda like Asians and Hispanics…
Anyway…
Well, I’ll use this Bible verse and keep it short and simple I guess.
Ezekiel 33:11
“As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?”
If GOD doesn’t take pleasure, why should we?
GOD is the one who will judge each of us according to our ways.
What if we are denying someone the right to repent or accept GOD grace or mercy?
There are arguments that it’s cheaper to keep someone in prison than execute them, and like Clayton said, the capital punishment system is far from perfect as DNA reports have allowed us to discover.
Great thoughts everyone, this is a really tough issue. I lean towards Jason Albright and Clayton’s responses. The Bible clearly speaks that it is the governments job to execute the sword of justice. I know this is a loaded statement. What about corrupt governments and all that? I don’t claim to have all the answers.
I agree Sam that God doesn’t take pleasure in people dying, but I would say that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t happen. God definitely executed judgement in both the NT & OT. God doesn’t take pleasure in our sin, but it still happens. I would also say that we are not necessarily taking pleasure because we approve of the death penalty either, I believe that it grieves the heart of God just as it would grieve a person.
Thanks for the feedback.