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Hero For Christ

Death Penalty



Few subjects create as much controversy within the Christian church as does capital punishment. However, the source of the disagreement is easy to trace. Those who support the use of the death penalty are following the example of the law of Moses. Those who oppose it are following the example of Christ.

During the time of the ancient Israelites, there was no meaningful place for individual identity, and consequently, no particular value placed on individual lives. The interests of the group were paramount at all times. Accordingly, the law made liberal use of execution to eliminate non-functioning members of the group, proscribing death for many, including disobedient sons (Deuteronomy 21:18-21), and women who were not virgins when they married (Deuteronomy 22:20-21). In the context of the modern world, such penalties would be extreme. Filial obedience and marital sanctity were foundational elements of ancient Israelite society, however, and were rightly protected vigorously.

The retention of the death penalty in modern times, however, violates the Christian relationship between God and humanity. After all, Jesus preached that every individual human life was valuable in God’s sight (Matthew 10:29-31). Furthermore, when faced with an opportunity to endorse an execution, Jesus refused to do so (John 8:3-11).

The situation could not have been clearer. The doubt of the accused was not in question. The penalty of death was clearly mandated by law (Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22). Yet rather than follow the law, and stone the adulterous woman to death, Jesus halted her execution, and spoke to her in words of mercy, rather than condemnation.

Thus, the evidence is unambiguous. When we support the death penalty, we side with the Pharisees, and against Christ.

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