In light of my comment on the post about torturing and killing for money, "How should Christians handle captial punishment for murder crimes?" Forgiveness? Rehabilitation? Lifelong sentences only? Consequences for the sin of murder?
I find it interesting that when Cain murdered Abel and God approached him concerning that crime, he was not sentenced to death, but to a life as an outcast and all would know not to kill him by some sort of marking. Later, under the mosaic law, capital punishment was set up.
Even in the NT we see that scripture says the government does not carry the sword for nothing. Without capital punishment, Jesus would not have died for our sins to be taken away.
On the other hand, we are called to forgive. Does forgiveness constitute the relinquishment of punishment? I think that is a good question to follow up with.
Often time as parents discipline their children, they forgive them for their sin of disobedience, but the punishment still stands due to love. Even God says that He disciplines those He loves. Punishment is a tool and should be used as such, but should it result in death? Let's talk.
As far as capital punishment...while there are certain cases where that seems like justice, I still struggle with it because (most of the time) it is just one more person going to a Christless eternity. How does Christ's teaching in Matthew 5:38-42 apply?
"Even in the NT we see that scripture says the government does not carry the sword for nothing. Without capital punishment, Jesus would not have died for our sins to be taken away." This is a good point, Jeremy. Something to think about.
Kellye, Sorry. You knew it could only last for so long! ;)
6 comments:
In light of my comment on the post about torturing and killing for money,
"How should Christians handle captial punishment for murder crimes?"
Forgiveness? Rehabilitation? Lifelong sentences only? Consequences for the sin of murder?
Discuss. :)
Glenna,
I find it interesting that when Cain murdered Abel and God approached him concerning that crime, he was not sentenced to death, but to a life as an outcast and all would know not to kill him by some sort of marking. Later, under the mosaic law, capital punishment was set up.
Even in the NT we see that scripture says the government does not carry the sword for nothing. Without capital punishment, Jesus would not have died for our sins to be taken away.
On the other hand, we are called to forgive. Does forgiveness constitute the relinquishment of punishment? I think that is a good question to follow up with.
Often time as parents discipline their children, they forgive them for their sin of disobedience, but the punishment still stands due to love. Even God says that He disciplines those He loves. Punishment is a tool and should be used as such, but should it result in death? Let's talk.
j razz
Kellye, you have lost your title for the first First for Friday poster.
j razz
Grrr Glenna:) I have been demoted to 4th poster!
As far as capital punishment...while there are certain cases where that seems like justice, I still struggle with it because (most of the time) it is just one more person going to a Christless eternity. How does Christ's teaching in Matthew 5:38-42 apply?
Does that passage apply to governments which God established for our good, or just to individual citizens? Context is key.
j razz
"Even in the NT we see that scripture says the government does not carry the sword for nothing. Without capital punishment, Jesus would not have died for our sins to be taken away."
This is a good point, Jeremy. Something to think about.
Kellye,
Sorry. You knew it could only last for so long! ;)
Post a Comment