Does God condone capital punishment or not? And should Christians?
One argument says the command God gave Noah stands for all humanity because it predates the covenant God made with Moses. So, while the Mosaic law was God’s communion with Israel, Noah’s represented something broader. Also, it’s a commandment related to the nature of God. As such, it doesn’t go away. And since God approved of capital punishment once, Christians can affirm it today.
But another argument suggests we can’t pick and choose what we want from the Old Testament. So, if we hold on to the capital punishment command, we must also adhere to all the other commandments. One way around that argument offers the reminder there are categories of commandments. These categories allow us to decide which restrictions and commands apply to our modern sensibilities. Old Testament regulations, then, including capital punishment, are up for debate.
Of course, there are many more details and considerations to include. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to learn more of them. My reflection on issues like this one falls back on the atonement of Jesus. We are saved by Jesus. That is a fundamental Christian affirmation. How Jesus saved us is an ongoing conversation.
I find I appreciate most the Christus Victor view of atonement. That is, when Christ saved us, Jesus defeated our enemy and the ways in which the enemy seemed to prevail over us. In the Bible, God brings life and is always looking to nurture and build upon life. In part, that’s what makes murder so serious.
On the other hand, according to Jesus, the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). So, I can’t see Jesus affirming the death penalty because it’s more the way of the enemy. We may justify it, but it’s more death. Jesus used the death penalty to show he could conquer without it.
Does that mean God doesn’t care about right and wrong, justice and truth? Of course not. God does more than you think you do. Or, if we don’t condone capital punishment, does that mean we shouldn’t create other forms of appropriate punishment? Again, of course not.
Scripture also teaches us there are still rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world and spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). When we’re not careful, we can easily fall in line with them, even in our fight against them. But Jesus prevailed over the enemy and his way of death. And the Lord did it his life-giving way. So, whatever God affirms it’s bent is toward life.
And may God help us to follow.
Stay blessed…john
