Why God Does Not Endorse Capital Punishment: An Informal Essay From a Christian's Perspective

I could be wrong.

Yes, I am conservative.

Feel free to disagree. 

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From the very beginning, God has always been a God of second chances, accepting adulterous murderers, outright rebellious liars, and frenzied religious fanatics into His glorious kingdom. Adopting the most atrocious sinners as sons and daughters, He transformed them into men and women after His own heart. And a few thousand years later, who are we to argue that He cannot do the same with our lifers, our drug addicts, our serial killers, our rapists? Who are we to deny them an opportunity to comprehend the glorious goodness of our Father who art in heaven?

Cain should have died. Although he himself intentionally chose to present an inferior offering before the Lord, he became intensely jealous over the Lord's favor on his brother. Plotting a scheme like never before, he assassinated Abel in the fields one day, thus committing the first human blood-shed on earth. 

David should have died. He spent hours on the roof observing his neighbor's lovely wife in all her nuptial purity. The king of Israel and Judah, a king commissioned by God above to lead his country in virtue, purposely ordered his neighbor Uriah to the front lines, so that he might be slaughtered in the heat of battle, his red blood soaking into the dust as the roar of battle echoed through the hills. Meanwhile, David ruthlessly violated Uriah's beautiful wife.

Paul should have died. He relished the stoning of the early believers, clutching the coats of those who raised up stones to kill, so their precious coats wouldn't become soiled by earth. When their hands were already dripping with human blood. Cheering on their bloodthirsty work in the name of the Law wasn't enough for him. Instead, Paul hungered for Christian extermination and journeyed to distant lands to seek more persecution, more skull-splintering work. 

According to the Old Testament law, they should have died. But they didn't. God had better plans for them in mind, plans for David and Paul that involved redeemed hearts and redeemed lives. Doesn't he have plans for us too? For those among us who commit the worst of crimes? And if God Himself chose to pardon these lives, why should the government deviate from His example?

I am not arguing again punishment itself. I do not believe in passivity and agree that sins and crimes should require penalties for the violation of the rights of another. However, ultimately, vengeance is God's, not man's. God will ultimately carry out justice for eternity in each of our lives. While that does not diminish the role of the government, man should then have a correct perspective of judicial authority, knowing that whatever justice is decided, ultimately God's justice will endure forever. 

Also, I believe the right of intentionally taking a life belongs to our Creator Himself. All life is designed and purposed by our Heavenly Father, and who are we, mere human beings, to decide who to kill? Many believers have quoted verses like Romans 13:4, which states, "But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." Yes, we should carry out God's wrath as best we can here on earth, but we should never be so presumptuous to determine which lives to destroy. 

Others use arguments relating to death sentences for murder in the Old Testament. Sins like homosexuality, lying, thievery, and murder itself used to have strict punishments, including death. Cursing one's parents could result in stoning. However, these penalties no longer apply today because of Christ's death, which replaced the old Law with the New. Of course, the principle still exists. The sin itself remains wrong and should be recognized as wrong. While the New Law does not justify murder, it does however nullify the punishment of death. 

Furthermore, numerous murderers or serial killers have repented and accepted Christ while serving time in prison. These men and women often live out as Christ's witnesses in the prisons themselves, converting many for His glory by their incredible testimony. When we seize justice in our own hands, it frequently becomes twisted. Who are we to decide when to take a life, a life who might have the chance to experience Christ's amazing love and spread His goodness to innumerable others? If banning capital punishment redeems one soul from the pit of eternal hell, wouldn't it be worth it? 

But in all honesty, I don't think arguing for or against capital punishment is the right solution. Rather, recognizing our own need of Christ and His goodness in our lives may solidify our decision. In John 8, Jesus forgave an adulteress. In those days, the Law required death, but instead, Jesus chose to forgive. I can picture her standing there. Humiliated. Frightened. Worst day of her life, and ready to be stoned. And suddenly, the Man of God stands and unties her spiritual chains and she is forgiven and free. Christ does not condone her sin, but rather he offers a better way out of it. A second chance. As sinful, blemished men, should we so readily condemn another one of us? Should we be the ones to pick up the first stone and point fingers, rather than readily offer Christ's free gift of a transfigured life? Only one without sin or blemish can condemn sin, and that One chose to forgive instead.

God is a God of justice. As a holy God of righteousness, He will deal out vengeance at the proper time. God is also a God of forgiveness. A God of second chances, of repentance, of mercy. He is a God of patience, waiting for those He has preordained to fall on their knees and acknowledge His goodness.

We are imitators of God.