Anabaptism, the New Testament, and capital punishment

[JimFoxvog]

Maybe I'm being too simplistic, but I look to Jesus.

Jesus was specifically asked about the death penalty. He wasn't being asked by Christians, but by the religious authorities. The Bible commanded the death penalty, but the authorities thought Jesus might be too loving to support the biblical command--they wanted to trap him.

Jesus responded, "he who is without sin should cast the first stone." I think this still tells us who is qualified to administer the death penalty. Remember, he wasn't being asked by his followers, but by his opponents.

It's not that certain crimes don't deserve death; it's that we all have sinned and deserve the wages of sin. If we would like mercy, we also need to be merciful.

[Nomad]

Maybe I'm being too simplistic, but I look to Jesus.

Jesus was specifically asked about the death penalty. He wasn't being asked by Christians, but by the religious authorities. The Bible commanded the death penalty, but the authorities thought Jesus might be too loving to support the biblical command--they wanted to trap him.

Jesus responded, "he who is without sin should cast the first stone." I think this still tells us who is qualified to administer the death penalty. Remember, he wasn't being asked by his followers, but by his opponents.

It's not that certain crimes don't deserve death; it's that we all have sinned and deserve the wages of sin. If we would like mercy, we also need to be merciful.

What do you think a proper response for murder should be by the government? Life in prison?

[ken_sylvania]

What do you think a proper response for murder should be by the government? Life in prison?

I think Jesus would say - let him that is without sin be the first to punish.

[Nomad]

What do you think a proper response for murder should be by the government? Life in prison?

I think Jesus would say - let him that is without sin be the first to punish.

So no punishment? Government shouldn't do anything is your opinion? Murders just can walk?

[ken_sylvania]

What do you think a proper response for murder should be by the government? Life in prison?

I think Jesus would say - let him that is without sin be the first to punish.

So no punishment? Government shouldn't do anything is your opinion? Murders just can walk?

Let the one who is without sin carry out the punishment.

[Nomad]

I think Jesus would say - let him that is without sin be the first to punish.

So no punishment? Government shouldn't do anything is your opinion? Murders just can walk?

Let the one who is without sin carry out the punishment.

Understood. Thank you for sharing your opinion.

[Jazman]

Maybe I'm being too simplistic, but I look to Jesus.

Jesus was specifically asked about the death penalty. He wasn't being asked by Christians, but by the religious authorities. The Bible commanded the death penalty, but the authorities thought Jesus might be too loving to support the biblical command--they wanted to trap him.

Jesus responded, "he who is without sin should cast the first stone." I think this still tells us who is qualified to administer the death penalty. Remember, he wasn't being asked by his followers, but by his opponents.

It's not that certain crimes don't deserve death; it's that we all have sinned and deserve the wages of sin. If we would like mercy, we also need to be merciful.

What do you think a proper response for murder should be by the government? Life in prison?

That would be my preference. Do everything possible to deter them from ever threatening life again (prison) but also do everything possible to afford them a lifetime of reflection on their deeds and consequences but also the opportunity to repent and serve Jesus in confinement and also make as much of a restitution/reconciliation with those they've harmed. Capital punishment removes all those options and may give those close to the victims only the sense of closure or revenge/punishment... A life sentence against the perpetrator may give opportunity to the perpetrator and victims for much more than those things.

[JohnH]

That would be my preference. Do everything possible to deter them from ever threatening life again (prison) but also do everything possible to afford them a lifetime of reflection on their deeds and consequences but also the opportunity to repent and serve Jesus in confinement and also make as much of a restitution/reconciliation with those they've harmed. Capital punishment removes all those options and may give those close to the victims only the sense of closure or revenge/punishment... A life sentence against the perpetrator may give opportunity to the perpetrator and victims for much more than those things.

If this is better, do you any ideas on why the OT doesn't propose life sentences, but frequently proposes capital punishment?

[barnhart]

I think Jesus would say - let him that is without sin be the first to punish.

So no punishment? Government shouldn't do anything is your opinion? Murders just can walk?

Let the one who is without sin carry out the punishment.

Very good answer.

[Nomad]

So no punishment? Government shouldn't do anything is your opinion? Murders just can walk?

Let the one who is without sin carry out the punishment.

Very good answer.

Its interesting to me how some take Jesus words on forgiveness and loving your enemies so literally. But then when there's scripture about His justice, wrath, and judgement suddenly its all about allegory, metaphors, and types.

Punishment and love aren't necessarily contrary to one another.