Subject: Death penalty Biblical? |
Bible Note: Hi Julie, I think the passage , Romans 13:4 is rather clear in it's meaning- "for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil." I believe the meaning can be derived from vs. 1-4, particularly vs 1: "Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God." I do not believe Paul had in mind other that the authorities, i.e. governments of whatever respective countries we reside (U.S., Canada, France, Germany, etc.). To whom would the "governing authorities ' refer? What does the context support? I do not see the support from Isaiah 9:6- particularly due to lack of context among other things. For whatever reason, you appear to be twisting the plain, intended meaning of Romans 13:1-4ff. We derive the meaning of scripture from : the text, it's context, and the words used and their meanings, not our notions! Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |