On the surface that would seem like a stupid question, especially in our 21^st century society.  Yet in some societies it is not a stupid question, and in our not so distant past it was certainly not a stupid question.  There is a consensus it would seem, that for a Christian to ask that question is not only stupid (by societies measure), but also subversive by the measure of his beliefs. 

 

Did Jesus and the early church think that everyone had the right to life?  Does the Bible teach that everyone has the right to life?

 

I think we will all agree that the Old Testament teaches quite the opposite.  The laws of Moses are full of offences that carry a capital punishment.  Indeed there are many instances where transgression has been exposed and denounced by prophets and the perpetrator has had a death sentence imposed upon them by none other than God Himself!  (Eg; see 2 Samuel 12, 1 Kings 21) 

 

What about the New Testament then? 

 

It is noteworthy that Jesus made no comments about the judicial systems of Israel or Rome.  He did say to give to Caesar his due, and Paul who was frequently treated unfairly by the authorities, admonished the churches to obey and even pray for those in secular authority.  And this at a time when capital punishment was the norm for a wide variety of offences, including on occasion for being a Christian!  The New Testament is silent on the subject of capital punishment.  Paul did say that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).  Of course he meant that living apart from God due to sin would place our spirit in a condition of death, but in a very real sense there is the pronouncement of the death of the soul and the body in the long term if there is no repentance.  There are instances recorded in the New Testament of the demise of people who were opposed to God.  Herod is one, (Matthew 2) Ananias & Sapphira another. (Acts 5) 

 

So the Old Testament openly advocates capital punishment, and the New Testament  implicitly supports it by being silent on the subject, and recording instances where God uses it as a means of justice.  Of course the message of the Bible is centred on  God’s forbearance and forgiveness, and even records the rescinding of death sentences where sincere repentance is evident, as in the case of King David.  Nonetheless capital punishment is a feature of the justice systems of the societies of the New Testament, and it’s writers are silent on the subject. 

 

That being the case, why is it deemed to be un-christian to support the death penalty?

Well that was not always the case.  Christians in the past have campaigned to remove the death penalty from offences that did not warrant it, such as theft, but not to abolish it altogether.  Contrast that with slavery, which Christians sought to abolish entirely. 

 

The movement that sought the abolition of the death penalty was liberal Humanism, the same people who were responsible for the legalising of abortion.  So now a cold blooded murderer of a post birth human being would receive a limited jail sentence, and a killer of a pre birth human being would legally get away with it!  How many times has a killer been released from prison on parole and re-offended?  How many innocent lives have been sacrificed on the humanistic alter of do goodery?  How many families have been shattered because the law has been emasculated?

 

The fact is that no one has the right to life if they wilfully rob another human being of their right to life.  Under those circumstances they forfeit their right to life.  That does not mean that as Christians we are absolved from forgiving them.  Difficult as that is, Jesus has commanded us to do so.  That is quite distinct from the law’s obligation to protect the society it serves.  We confuse the two requirements at our peril.  The purpose of the law is not forgiveness or redemption, or rehabilitation, it is deterrent, punishment and protection of society. 

 

As Christians then I believe that we should use our collective voice to call for the re-instatement of the death penalty for clearly defined offences, with carefully built in safeguards.  This should never be taken lightly, but neither should the right of the citizen to live in peace and security be taken lightly, as unfortunately and increasingly it is now. 

 

Suggestions for crimes punishable by the death penalty.

 

Premeditated murder (regardless of “insanity”)

Possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Possession of unauthorised explosives.

All terrorist offences, regardless of outcome.

Death caused by a weapon during a fight.

Death caused by assault on a defenceless victim

Death caused by a gang attack. (All the participants guilty)

Rape with GBH.

Sexual assault on a child.

Kidnapping.

Illegal imprisonment with assault and or rape.

Homicide of a Police officer.

Homicide of a Prison officer.

Arson resulting in death.

Vandalism resulting in death.

Robbery resulting in death.

Death caused by dangerous driving.

Paying for someone to be killed.

Killing for payment.

 

Exemptions.

 

Death as a result of self defence where the attacker is armed, or has illegally entered your home, or is part of a gang of two or more attackers.

 

Homicide of the abuser by the abused, following repeated severe physical abuse over a period of time resulting in impairment of cognitive faculties.

 

The purpose of the death penalty is not retribution, it is to protect society.