Category: EDU

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Thoughts on Capital Punishment (27 minutes)

In the beginning

Genesis 9:6  “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man.Gen 9:6 ”

Old Covenant death penalties

• • Adultery (Lev 20:11);
  • Attacking parents (Exod 21:15);
  • Bestiality (Exod 22:19, Lev 20:15)
  • Blasphemy (Lev 24:16)
  • Bull goring (Exod 21:29)
  • Contempt of court (Deut 17:12)
  • Cursing parents (Exod 21:17, Lev 20:9)
  • Disobedient son — drunkard etc (Deut 21:21)
  • Female promiscuity (Deut 22:21)
  • Idolatry (Exod 22:20, Deut 13:5, 17:2)
  • Incest (Lev 20:11+)
  • Kidnapping (Exod 21:16, Deut 24:7)
  • Malicious witness in capital case (Deut 19:16)
  • Manslaughter (Gen 9:6, Exod 21:12, Lev 24:17, Num 35:16+)
  • Priestly arrogation (Num 3:10, 18:7)
  • Sabbath breaking (Num 15:35)
  • Sodomy (Lev 20:13)
  • Sorcery (Exod 22:18, Lev 20:17
  • In most cases commuted to a financial penalty.

New Covenant justice

• • John 8:7  Jesus Christ: “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
  • The VENGEANCE belongs to God: Matthew 5:21-22, 39-48, Romans 12:17-21
  • Martyrs: Acts 12 – Herod, Mark 6 – John the Baptist, Rev 20:4
  • Early church rejected capital punishment (Constantine – references from Ante-Nicene):
    • “He who reckons it a pleasure that a man—though justly condemned—should be slain in his sight, pollutes his conscience as much as if he should become a spectator and a sharer of a murder that is secretly committed. Yet, they call these “sports,” in which human blood is shed!” – Lactantius (c.304-313), 7.186.
    • “When God forbids us to kill, He not only prohibits us from the open violence that is not even allowed by the public laws, but He also warns us against doing those things that are esteemed lawful among men. Thus it will not be lawful for a just man to engage in warfare, since his warfare is injustice itself. Nor is it lawful for him to accuse anyone of a capital crime. For it makes no difference whether you put a man to death by word or by the sword. For it is the act of putting to death itself that is prohibited. Therefore, with regard to the commandment of God, there should be no exception at all. Rather, it is always unlawful to put a man to death, whom God willed to be a sacred creature.” – Lactantius, 7.187.

CONCLUSION

• There is a strong biblical emphasis on mercy (Micah 6:8, Matthew 5:7, Numbers 32:23, 1 Timothy 5:24, etc).
• Bible urges us to follow the laws of the land, except where they violate the laws of God.
• The early church believed strongly in justice yet adamantly opposed the death penalty.
  • Not that they refused to suffer death (Paul – Acts 25:11).
  • But they would have no part in killing. (Even watching executions was deplorable to many of them).

    
    
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I. PRINCIPLES OF CRIME & PUNISHMENT

Principle 1: God is a God of Justice

• Ultimately all crimes against God (Psalms 51:4). What does the Bible say about crimes against man (person/ property)?
• Proverbs 24:25, Ecclesiastes 8:11, Ecclesiastes 5:8-9.
• The prophets spoke out against social injustice:  Elijah, Amos, John the Baptist, and many others…
• Lex talionis: Limitation: a maximum, not a minimum. See Exodus 21:24, Matthew 5:38.
• “Let the punishment fit the crime” – Gilbert & Sullivan, The Mikado (1885).

Principle 2: There will be a Judgment Day, and it will be Ffair

• There will be an ultimate judgment – and it will be fair (Genesis 18:25; Luke 12:47-48; Romans 2:5, 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrew 9:27; 2 Peter 3:7; 1 John 4:17, etc).
• Yet there may be a delay.
  • Habakkuk wondered…
  • Numbers 32:23.
  • 1 Timothy 5:24.

Principle 3: Moral Authority must Speak Truth to Power or No One is Above the Law

• The prophets spoke out against social injustice:  Elijah, Amos, John the Baptist, and many others…
• Jesus challenged leaders of his day. Reminded high priest, governor, and other authorities about some important spiritual principles…
• There are times when believers must speak up — speak out!

Principle 4: Law is Good

• Much of modern law comes from the Romans.
• Even more may come from the Jews: property law, torts, worker’s compensation, litigation, etc (Exod 20-Deut 33).
• Even studying OT law shows us God’s wisdom, providence and justice. Even though it is not the law of God for us, it is still the word of God for us, and we have much to learn!

Principle 5:  Civil Disobedience is Occasionally Justified

• Henry David Thoreau
• Daniel 3:18, 6:10 – obey government except when contradicts law of God
• On the other hand, we should pay taxes, even if they’re unfair — we disagree with how the government chooses how to spend them. Give to those who ask you (Matthew 5:42). Insistence on “rights”?

Principle 6: The State has the Right to Punish Infractions

• Fines, traffic tickets, etc
• Imprisonment
• Execution: Romans 13.

II. THOUGHTS ON INCARCERATION

• Ancient times:
  • Temporary, awaiting trial.
    • Long-term – more likely for king’s prisoners. Or those rulers did not want to make martyrs of.
    • Paul (Acts 24, 28) and Joseph (Genesis 39+) are unusual in the length of their incarcerations.
  • Prisoners were visited by friends or relatives — fed, clothed, care for by them. The state did little (see Jeremiah 37-38).
• Does our system of incarceration work? “Correctional,” or “penitentiary”? Or just a punishment?
  • It works poorly, though in some nations the penal system is more effective than in others.
  • Two extremes: soft and hard; focus on prisoners’ rights vs. focus on society’s rights
  • Reformation of character?
    • Not usually. Rather, recidivism!
    • US – 5% of world population and 25% of world’s prisoners. China – less glorious human rights record – far fewer incarcerated!
• Prison ministry?
  • In NT times, prisoners would normally have been believers (Hebrews 13).
  • And yet prisons present a great evangelistic opportunity. Implication of Philippians 1:7,12-14; 4:22).

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