Capital Punishment (part one)

Norman Geisler list 3 basis world views on Capital Punishment in his book,, Christian Ethics. in it he list them as:

Anti

1. Rehabilitationism, which would not allow it for any crime; Rehabilitationism is based on a remedial (reformatory) view of justice. The criminal is seen as a patient who is sick and in need of treatment.

Pro

2. Reconstructionism, which insists on the death sentence for all serious crimes;

3. Retributionism, which recommends death for some (capital) crimes.” retributionism differs from recontructionism and does not believe that offenses calling for capital punishment under Moses’s law are still binding today. Rather, retributionism contends that capital punishment is based on the biblically stated principle of a life for a life that is applicable to all persons in all places and at all times.

The main biblical arguement against Capital punishment is found in Exodus 20

Exodus 20:13 NASB95

13 “You shall not murder.

Response to the 6th Commandment.

Exodus 20:13 (NASB95)

13 “You shall not murder.

Murder in the Hebrew is rātṣǎkḥ meaning to murder, slay, kill, i.e., take the life one another so as to cause a state of death

This word is often to use to imply, premeditation. Wayne Grudem in his book also titled Christian Ethics says, “this verb is used in the Old Testament to refer to the unlawful taking of a human life.”

Numbers 35:16–19 NASB95

16 ‘But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 17 ‘If he struck him down with a stone in the hand, by which he will die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 18 ‘Or if he struck him with a wooden object in the hand, by which he might die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 19 ‘The blood avenger himself shall put the murderer to death; he shall put him to death when he meets him.

Grudem adds, “The verb is also used to speak of "causing human death through carelessness or negligence." But “ratsakh” is not the ordinary word for judicial execution,' and it is never used to refer to killing in war.”

It hard to make the case that this verse is talking about about capital punishment because it is not the case that the original Hebrew reader would have understood it.

There is however a point that needs to be raise and understood. Because God is the giver and sustainer of life. Life should alway and at all points be valued.

That leads to the question, should the Christian ever advocate that ending of a life?

One of the argument for capital punishment is that it is implemented to protect human life from those who would want to take it.

Genesis 9:5–6 NASB95

5 “Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man’s brother I will require the life of man. 6 “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man.

This seem to be a standard for which man should govern themselves.

Remember the context here, in Genesis 6 God saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually and verse 6 says, “{God} was sorry that He had made man on the earth”

Chapter 7 there was a flood on the earth and in Chapter 9 we see God restarting life on the earth again.

“Whoever sheds man’s blood,By man his blood shall be shed,For in the image of God He made man.”

Wayne Grudem says, “The word "sheds" in this statement translates the Hebrew verb shaphak, which in this passage means "to pour out in large amount, causing death." Therefore, "In this verse, shedding blood refers to the violent, unjustified taking of human life.”

The governing principle here states, if a person murders someone, they should themself be put to death because they have taken a life that God values.

The next question becomes who job is it to implement this consequence?

I think this is a very important point.

Romans 13:1–7 NASB95

1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

Verse 4 make 2 points ,

1. the {governing authorities} does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God.

sword here is machaira meaning, sword; dagger. other places we see this word.

Revelation 13:10 NASB95

10 If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.

Hebrews 11:34 NASB95

34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Acts 12:2 NASB95

2 And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword.

This speaks of the instrument used to put a person to death.

2. the governing authorities} an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

Avenger here is ἔκδικος it means to justice being done so as to rectify wrong done to another, punishing.

Avenger is one who punishes

The government is required to punish or bring justice to those who practise evil.

Justice is when there is a wrong done. That wrong is corrected judge or punished.

Psalm 33:5 NASB95

5 He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord.

Amos 5:24 NASB95

24 “But let justice roll down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Wayne Gruden says this, “Therefore, the idea, suggested by some, that the sword here is simply a symbol of governmental authority is hardly persuasive.' When Paul says that civil government in general is authorized to "bear the sword," he means that it has been given authority from God to use the sword for the purpose for which people used it in the first century, and that is to put people to death.”