by R. L. Morrison

Capital punishment, that is, taking the life of one guilty of certain crimes, is an issue very much before the public today. It is not of recent origin, for a number of years ago executions were abolished in our nation. There have been those who oppose such punishment and those who favor it. Naturally, it has been widely discussed. Some who oppose capital punishment say it is cruel and inhuman punishment. Some who believe this are religious people, professing to believe the Bible; to be followers of Christ. Others feel that in the civilized state at present, we should not turn back to the methods of the past. Others, who favor capital punishment are also religious and seek to serve God. All this shows there is an issue involved.

A discussion of what the Bible teaches on this issue will not settle it for all people. But those who accept the word of God as the infallible standard of righteousness will profit by such a study. In this study we shall attempt to answer some questions such as, "How should a Christian feel about the death penalty?" "Whose responsibility is it to exact the death penalty?" "How does God view capital punishment?" We shall appeal to the scriptures for the answers.

When Noah came from the ark after the flood, God made a covenant with him and his descendants. This is to simply say God gave them a system of law. Here is part of it: "But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God made he man" (Gen. 9:4-6). There are several things to notice. First, God is the author of capital punishment. God said the murderer shall be put to death. The words have to do with "willfully" or malice aforethought, not accidentally.

Secondly, we should note that God commanded this sentence to be executed. He did not leave it to the wisdom and judgment of men, although men were to carry out the command. Even an animal which killed a man was to be put to death. Why? "For in the image of God made he man."

When God, through Moses, gave a system of law and religion to the descendants of Abraham, He made many references to the death penalty. The sixth of the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:15): "Thou shalt not kill", does not refer to the death penalty, but was given to prohibit murder. This can be understood by reading Exodus 21:12: "He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death." This is a positive command. The murderer is to be put to death. Actually, there are a number of commandments in Chapter 21 which refer to the death penalty. He that smiteth his mother or father; he that curseth mother or father; he that stealeth a man; those guilty are to be put to death.

Other deeds are named which invoked the death penalty. Sabbath breaking, Ex. 31:14; adultery, Lev. 20:10; idolatry, Lev. 20:2; and a false witness in capital cases, Deut. 19:16-19. There are other causes for one to have been sentenced to death, but these should be sufficient to show that God was the author of such a penalty. Again we note that God expressly commanded it. The law said: "...shall surely be put to death" (Ex. 21:12, 15-17). The guilty man was to be punished. For those who had the responsibility of executing the law, it was sin on their part to fail.

Perhaps we should notice the method of execution of the guilty person. Today, it would be called in-humane. The method under the law was stoning (Lev. 20:27). Two or more witnesses were required to testify; they were also required to cast the first stones. Then those who had witnessed the trial were to join in the stoning, to put the guilty one to death! At times the sword or spear was employed in execution. But whatever was used, it carried out the command of God. He who had committed that which was worthy of death was to be put to death. One could hardly feel that God thought this to be cruel or inhumane.

We now turn attention to the New Testament teaching on this subject. It should be of more concern today, for we live under this law. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same; for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil" (Rom. 13:1-4).

The higher powers are civil governments. They exist by God's authority and appointment. Paul said those who disobey are guilty of disobeying God. He also says civil government has the obligation to praise those who do well and punish those who do evil. "To bear the sword" in verse 4 is a reference to punishment by death. This is simply to say that civil government not only has the right to perform executions, it has the responsibility to do so. It is the minister of God in doing so.

The condition of man has not and cannot change. Life is in the blood. Man is in the image of God. God said: "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed." The principle is the same today as it was when God first gave the commandment. Any who seek to prevent governments from fulfilling their God given responsibility in punishing the murderer are rebelling against God's law.

Let us now consider some objections to capital punishment. Many say "God is love. How could God desire the death of one in his own image?" In the case of murder, the victim was also in God's image. The victim has as much right to life as the murderer himself. And regardless of how one may feel, or what one may say, God said "whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed." Remember that God is just and righteous. He is also pictured as a consuming fire! (Heb. 12:29). We should obey God, and do what He commands, rather than decide to do what we want.

Others say, "Taking another life will not bring back the one who was slain." True, but executing the guilty has never restored life to those murdered. It never will. But God commanded the guilty to be put to death. It might prevent the death of another innocent person. Have you ever read of a murderer being released on bail or escaping, and murdering again? Or of "serving his time" and paroled to murder again?

Then there are those who claim that the execution of the murderer has no effect on what others might do. In other words, capital punishment is not a deterrent to violent crimes. These people do not know or care what God says about this: "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil" (Eccl. 8:11).

I read that in one of the Arab countries, the penalty for driving while intoxicated is immediate execution by firing squad. Knowing this, would one be very careful about a violation? I think so! Such executions seldom occur. I think we understand why!

Then some say the rights of the murderer are violated by the death penalty. What right? Did he not violate the rights of the murdered person? Did he not forfeit his own right when he disregarded the rights of others? God said he did. His life is to be taken.

Is capital punishment cruel and inhumane? Some say the electric chair, gas, the firing squad, or lethal injection are cruel and inhumane. Do you think those who forced a woman into a meat grinder and killed her were cruel and inhumane? Did that woman have a right to live? Did they violate her rights when they so treated her? This is an exceptional case, but murder, none-the-less!

Capital punishment is ordained of God. It is the responsibility of civil government. The nation that forgets God or refuses to meet the obligation God places upon it, shall not long endure (Psalms 9:17).