Topic: the Bible and capital punishment

One of my characters, Apollo, is currently struggling with the fact that someone keeps killing people he wants dead, although he doesn't know who's doing it. Since the dead men (two so far) were evil, the galaxy is almost certainly better off without them. Apollo inherited a violent empire and is trying to steer clear of unnecessary killing. Events, however, are spinning out of control.

That brings me to a question about God's love vs. his wrath. There are many instances in the Old Testament of God's wrath.
In addition, in Deuteronomy, it says: "You must not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot."
Exodus has a similar verse.

Yet the Ten Commandments also say "Thou shalt not kill." and Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek.

When then is killing/capital punishment acceptable for Christians? The media usually just lumps conservative Christians with proponents of capital punishment as if they go hand-in-hand, which I don't believe. For example, should the Boston Marathon bomber have been sentenced to death?

I was wondering if someone in the group could address this for me.

Thanks.
Dirk

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Re: the Bible and capital punishment

Romans 13: 1-2 J.B. Phillips version. 
Every Christian ought to obey the civil authorities, for all legitimate authority is derived from God’s authority, and the existing authority is appointed under God. To oppose authority then is to oppose God, and such opposition is bound to be punished.

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3 Reply by Norm d'Plume (edited by Norm d'Plume 2015-05-17 05:31:19)

Re: the Bible and capital punishment

Thank you, Mike.

Isn't Romans 13 superceded by the Ten Commandments (thou shalt not kill)? I would think they would be considered the most important laws from God, especially, as in this case, where there are inconsistencies in what the Bible says. Why execute someone when a cornerstone of the Bible says never to take a life?

Hitler was the legitimate authority of Germany before becoming dictator. People who followed his laws eventually found themselves in the hands of a dictator responsible for 60 million deaths, including both of my grandfathers.

Compare that to the 2001 U.S. election. A conservative-led Supreme Court decided an election in favor of George W. Bush rather than wait for a recount. The result was a war with Iraq in which as many as 1 million people died, all for non-existent weapons of mass destruction.

Does Romans 13 apply in the above cases? Who decides what is legitimate authority?

Dirk

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Re: the Bible and capital punishment

The word used in Ex. 20:13, refers to iniquitous killing.  The practical application of this command is to recognize that Holy God has responsibility, over life and death.  All life is because God allows it, and all death the same.  God never kills iniquitously, for He is Holy and cannot.  Instead of thou shalt not kill, the translation should read thou shalt not murder.  The old Testament was written for a people who's only access to God was the sacrifice of animals at great cost to themselves.  God in His infinite wisdom and compassion saw that the system worked out of fear only and not out of love, which He sought from His creations.  Christ was sent in Grace to bring man into a relationship with His God through God's love.  A relationship with Christ living a life following His word and the leading of His indwelt Spirit, presumes the proper interpretation of the commandments and Christ's words.  Capital punishment when in statute of the government (which is allowed if not ordained by God) is our duty to consider.  Killing in war ordered by statute is not murder in God's eyes, and is therefore, righteous in His eyes. Why is there evil in the world?  I can only tell you that man's original sin is responsible and we all are sinner's when born, and have to repent and accept Jesus Christ as Savior to find a relationship with God.  There are many things we will not understand until we are with Him in Glory.  From your political comments, I am sure you believe that the death of George W. would remove all evil and we would all be drinking Obama's free bubble up and eatin his rainbow stew.   Mike

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5 Reply by Norm d'Plume (edited by Norm d'Plume 2015-05-17 19:13:54)

Re: the Bible and capital punishment

Thank you, Mike.

I disagree with your final assessment about me. I was a great fan of George Bush Sr., but am opposed to unnecessary killing of any kind, so I have no respect for W. I had great hopes for Obama but was turned off by his indiscriminate use of drone strikes, especially when the administration first claimed the drones had never killed any innocent bystanders.

Admittedly, I don't give a damn about the marathon bomber. I would have preferred to see him locked away in a tiny cell in a supermax prison with no one to talk to but himself for the next fifty years. But that's just me wanting revenge for what he did. I accept that he's going to get an early and easy death.

I'm aware of the interpretation of thou shalt not murder, but will need to research it. When I first heard it some years ago, I thought it was a convenient modern invention to bypass a very clear law from God.

Thanks for your help, as always.
Dirk

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Re: the Bible and capital punishment

You didn't address my question about legitimate authority, which I'm very curious about.

As I mentioned, Hitler (though a racist killer from the beginning) was, for a time, the elected authority of Germany. Was there anything Germans could have/should have done to topple him? When?

Thanks.
Dirk

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Re: the Bible and capital punishment

The Romans lighted their streets with the burning bodies of Christians yet the Bible says render unto Caesar what is Caesar's.  Evil is part of free will and is allowed by God IMO to be so repugnant that man will draw closer to God as a body of humans, and never allow such heinous crimes to be committed again.  Had the German people been following the will of God and not looking for someone to champion their superior race, things would certainly have been different.  If Americans today were seeking God in all that they do, our country would probably be in different hands, abortion would no longer be in question, and life would be much better.  Unfortunately, that won't happen and the details of the end are foretold.  To blame the war on one man is beneath your intelligence as nothing is done by one man.  In contrast although I loath what Mr. Obama has done to my country, he had to have many cohorts afraid of losing their sweet deals, on both sides of the aisle.  I fear for our country if another old line Republican gets in office almost as much as I fear the career criminal and heinous murderer that is being touted by Dems.  We must have change of significant caliber to continue this country as it is or preferably was.  God is in charge and will end all this when He see's fit.  We all will live forever, it is our choice where that will be.  Mike

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Re: the Bible and capital punishment

Thank you, Mike. I appreciate your insight, as always.

Dirk

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