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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | 'Conscientious Objection' Biblical? | Ex 20:13 | Sir Pent | 16146 | ||
It seems that most of my distinguished forum colleagues are in support of the death penalty. Let me begin by saying that I respect your opinions, and believe that it is possible for Christians to be on both sides of this issue. That being said, I will attempt to give a reasonable explanation why my interpretation of scripture leads me to believe that the death penalty is wrong in today's world. Before, I do that, I will try to respond to several of the posts that have already been shared. Charis, you mentioned that it is inconsistent to support killing a murderer when they have a gun in their hand, and then oppose killing them after they have been caught and disarmed. I completely agree with you. I consider it wrong to kill that person in both cases. Tim Moran, you mentioned that if the death penalty is going to be used, that it should be applied fairly across racial and economic groups. I would like to say that I completely agree with that. You also shared a very logical rationale of the death penalty. (1. it was not morally wrong in the OT, 2. it was not forbidden in the NT, 3. it not morally wrong or forbidden today). I agree that it was not morally wrong in the OT. However, although it is not expressly forbidden in the NT (in which case, this would not be an issue for Christians today), I believe that through several passages, it can be seen that it is no longer appropriate for believers to commit. CDBJ, I found your comment sarcastic, but it did bring up an important verse about a person who "lives by the sword will die by the sword". The problem with using this verse to support capital punishment, is that it seems to me that Jesus was telling his disciples to NOT USE THEIR SWORDS. Retxar, you brought up a very good passage (Romans 13) where it talks about God using authorities to punish wrongdoing with the sword. I agree with RElderCascade that an important distinction is that the sword is given to the authority not to the believer. Another point is that throughout scripture God often uses people who do not have a good relationship with him to accomplish things by using means that He would not approve of believers using. For instance, He used nations like Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Egypt in the Old Testament as part of His plan at different times. However, I think that we would all agree that some of their actions (while tools of God) would be completely wrong for Christians to do today. Also in the New Testament, the God ordained authorities crucified Christ. Yet we would definately not want Christians today to do such a thing if given the opportunity. Brian G, I was encouraged when reading your post that I am not alone in opposing the death penalty. I completely agree with you that when we kill another person we are cutting short their time to repent and come to relationship with God. I must also disagree with Charis response that "Our system of justice provides a convicted murderer with plenty of time (too much) to repent of their sin before God." It seems to be incredibly arrogant for us as humans to decide how much time a person should be allowed to ask forgiveness. What would you have done if you were with Joshua preparing to cross the Jordan River into the promised land, and the front of your lines (the priests) are already in the river (their feet were wet), and nothing was happening? Do you decide that you had given God plenty of time, and start building boats? My point is that God's time is not our time, and because we cannot know it, it is wrong to decide that a person?s time is up. Steve Butler, I agree with you that God commanded wars and executions in the Old Testament. I was a bit confused by your second statement. Are you trying to say that all people who oppose war and execution do so out of fear instead of conviction? Kalos, I am saddened by your inflamatory post. It is not helpful to the discussion, nor accurate that all the Christians, who believe that capital punishment is wrong, are completely disregarding (ripping out the pages) the Old Testament passages on the subject. |
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2 | 'Conscientious Objection' Biblical? | Ex 20:13 | Makarios | 16207 | ||
Dear Sir Pent, If it helps anything at all, I tried to avoid this thread because of its potential to divide the members of the Forum into "groups".. I am learning to stay away from such divisiveness, although my history on this Forum is striped with engaging in debates that simply cannot be "won", such as the debate on 'limited/unlimited atonement.' It may rattle some members of this Forum, but I agree with you that capital punishment is not a course of action that we should undertake, even though the criminal MUST be completely taken out of society and stripped of their rights as individual citizens. To put a person to death for any crime would deny that person the chance of possible restitution with our Lord. Just who is man that he should feel justified in taking another's life at any circumstance? I agree with you and Brian, and I do so at the risk of being "flamed" by my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Your Brother in Christ, Nolan |
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3 | 'Conscientious Objection' Biblical? | Ex 20:13 | Sir Pent | 16213 | ||
I appreciate your courage in being willing to state your belief although we are in the minority. However, I think that the "risk of being flamed" is minimal. If you look through this thread, I think you will find that both sides have conducted themselves with great self-control and patience. With the possible exception of only one person, the posts have stayed focused on the issue instead of personally attacking any individuals. In fact, I would like to compliment all forum members for how well this very difficult, and potentially divisive subject, has been handled | ||||||
4 | 'Conscientious Objection' Biblical? | Ex 20:13 | Morant61 | 16217 | ||
Greetings Sir! I would join my voice with yours in congradulating everyone in this debate. I have long contended that we should not avoid controversial issues out of fear of division. As you have demonstrated in this thread, people can take opposing views without being unloving or unkind. Every good discussion is a discussion where there is more than one view possible. It would be boring if everyone made a point and then 30 people replied, "Amen...". We need to share our reasons and logic. We need to examine passages that we may not have considered. It is through this interaction that all of us are challenged to grow in our understanding of God's Word. Keep up the good work! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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