Under the Old Testament law, murder (Numbers 35:16) and rape (Deuteronomy 22:25) were in fact grounds for execution. But if we are to consistently apply Old Testament Law--and not simply pick and choose--we would need to apply capital punishment for all offenses it lists as capital.

adultery (Leviticus 20:10)

homosexual behavior (Leviticus 20:13)

kidnapping (Exodus 21:16)

occult practices (Exodus 22:18)

pre-marital sex (Leviticus 21:9)

not observing the Sabbath (Numbers 15:32-36) and

striking or slandering a parent (Exodus 21:15, 17)

Under New Testament grace, didn't Christ take our "capital punishment" required under the Law?

When we were utterly helpless with no way of escape, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners who had no use for him. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since by his blood he did all this for us as sinners, how much more will he do for us now that he has declared us not guilty? Now he will save us from all of God's wrath to come (Romans 5:6, 8-9).

Well then, are God laws and God's promises against each other? Of course not! If we could be saved by the laws, then God would not have had to give us a different way to get out of the grip of sin--for the Scriptures insist we are all its prisoners. The only way out is through faith in Jesus Christ; the way of escape is open to all who believe in him (Galatians 3:21-22).

If the death penalty is a universal, timeless punishment commanded by God for those Old Testament sins viewed capital offenses (see above), shouldn't the following offenders have been executed?

Cain, the first murderer, was actually protected by God, (Genesis 4:8-15)

Moses who murdered an Egyptian (Exodus 2:11-15)

King David who committed adultery, then had the woman's husband killed (2 Samuel 11)

The woman at the well (John 4:1-42) who was guilty of adultery.

The woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8:1-11)

The Christians in Corinth (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NIV) who were formerly "sexually immoral," "idolators," "adulterers," "male prostitutes," and "homosexual offenders"--all of which were capital offences in the Old Testament

And don't forget, to include everyone of us in that list! "Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious ideal." " For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23, 6:23 TLB).

I've searched the New Testament for justification for humanly-imposed capital punishment. God's punishment of unbelievers at Judgment Day is certainly capital! (Revelation 20:11-15))

What I do find, however, are many passages that warn against judging others, not showing mercy, and mistreating prisoners (Matthew 5:7, 44; 7:2; 25:39-40, 44-45).

Admittedly, it is a controversial issue. (And I could be wrong!)

So, But on those issues where there is such disagreement, shouldn't we error on the side of life rather than death?

Adapted from Death & Beyond copyright © 1992 James N. Watkins. All rights reserved. This site revised and updated November 2005

Related sites
Apologetics Index on Capital Punishment
Death Penalty Information Center
What does the Bible really say?

Comments

I enjoyed reading your article about the death penalty. I am sure you get lots of email pro and con, but I'd like to add one more point that could bolster your argument even more. Several Christian death-penalty proponents like to cite the Old Testament, and you countered this very well in your article by saying, "but the New Testment says . . .". Still, this does not faze them, for various reasons. Here's what I use to make my point with those folks Several verses in the Old Testament state very clearly that the only cases where murders can be put to death are those in which the accused was seen committing the crime. There must be at least 2 people who actually saw him do it. Example Deuteronomy 176 "On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness." This would, at the very least, let Timothy McVeigh off the hook. Anyway, I like your site. Thanks. James Williams, www.middletree.net May 14, 2001

Your logic is nuts! Your exegesis is nuts! You are nuts! [no name] February 4, 1998

And lest we use the argument 'an eye for an eye' as justification for capital punishment, we must remember that excessive revenge was the practice in Old Testament times.... you rape my daughter, I will emasculate all of your sons. You steal $10 from me, I will burn down your house and barn. The point of the Old Testament law is that we cannot let our fallen desire for vengeance to lead us to acts of excessisive violence. Jesus came proclaiming an even higher law. No longer should the punishment match the crime, but in fact the punishment must be more merciful than the crime. Do good to those who abuse you. Yes, the wicked must be restrained. Yes, the wicked must (when possible) make restitution and pay the debt. But killing for killing?? Not in the Gospel. Tonight I will pray for the soul of Karla Tucker . . . as I pray for the soul of a nation who feels good about taking life. Dr. Bud Bence, from the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Indiana Wesleyan University

Thanks for proclaiming an unpopular position in the evangelical commuunity, Jim.

A GREAT article on Capital Punishment. I appreciate the study and research you have given to the topic. Blessings and keep up the good work. 76511.2757@compuserve.com February 4, 1998

Thanks for your insights on capital punishment. It's nice to hear someone else have compassion on others who have sinned. Keep up the good work. It is really refreshing. rgrande@kdsi.net March 7, 1998

I am a student at the University of Pittsburg and I strongly agree with you that capital punishment is wrong and that it is not supported by the Bible! Your web site is very informative and causes people to really think. God bless and congratulations on being so effective. renst7+@pitt.edu October 27, 1998.