014: The Death Penalty | Who Do You Have To Kill For a Little Justice Around Here?

Biblical Lenses

In this episode, the guys talk about The Death Penalty. What does the bible say about Justice, Is the Death Penalty an Old Testament idea, and what stances do Christians take on the matter? We would love to hear your thoughts follow us on Instagram and Twitter @biblicallenses.

Warning!!! This is a controversial topic, our desire is to try to make sense of things through the lenses of the bible. We affirm that there are things in the bible that are black and white A.K.A. Non-negotiable. We also affirm that there are things in the bible that are Gray and are able to be discussed without certainty. That being said... take everything in this episode with a grain of salt, offer us some grace, and do the thought work for yourself 👍🏼

Questions to think about:

• What does Jesus say about Justice?
• What does it mean to turn the other cheek?
• Are we to follow ruling authorities on this or rise up and change the system?

Scriptures to consider:

• Genesis 9:6
• Romans 13:1-7
• Numbers 35:33
• Hebrews 9:14

Things to Consider about the Death Penalty:

• PROPORTIONALITY
  Exodus 21:23-25 establishes that punishment must be proportional to the offense. The extreme sanction of death should be considered only in the most serious offenses.
• CERTAINTY OF GUILT
  Before a murderer could be executed, two witnesses had to confirm his guilt (Deut. 17:6; Num. 35:30). This was a very high standard of proof. The Bible says nothing of circumstantial evidence.
• INTENT
  Numbers 35:22-24 established that capital punishment could not be imposed when the offender did not act intentionally.
• DUE PROCESS
  Several provisions of the Law ensured that executions took place only after appropriate judicial procedures (see Num. 35; Deut. 17). The issue was not simply whether the accused was guilty, but whether he also had a fair chance to prove his innocence.
• RELUCTANCE TO EXECUTE
  Although the Law may sound bloodthirsty, it was applied with great restraint. In Ezekiel 33:11 God laments, "As sure as I live . . . I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live." The Lawgiver Himself was reluctant to impose the death penalty, preferring that the wrongdoers repent.Reluctance is not refusal. But it does imply that execution should be a last resort, and, as Ezekiel 33 suggests, repentance or contrition could commute the death sentence.
  

Links:

• https://www.christianitytoday.com/iyf/advice/faithqa/should-christians-support-death-penalty.html
• https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-and-graphics/countries-that-still-have-the-death-penalty/
• https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/implications-of-being-made-in-the-image-of-god-session-2
• https://theconversation.com/can-you-be-christian-and-support-the-death-penalty-101007