I was watching the debates tonight, and I thought it was really interesting how none of the the candidates who were given time to answer the question about what they thought Jesus would do regarding the death penalty, actually answered it. They all came back with some answer about them praying for guidance to personally do the ‘right’ thing.
Why couldn’t they answer the question?
I believe it’s because in their minds they knew what the answer was, but to say it would consequently (since they profess to be Christians) make them look like hypocrites : if you asked any Christian whether or not they thought Jesus would support the death penalty, and even if they could imagine him sitting in on an execution, I am pretty sure they would say no (I’d love to hear any opinions contrary to this). So, if Jesus wouldn’t, then shouldn’t Christians also not?
Hi, With all due respect;
Here is the opinion contrary to yours. The correct answer to:
“What would Jesus do with the death penalty?
He would be all for it; He would say, Yes. Here’s why:
I and my Father are one. John 10:30 (KJV)
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23 (KJV)
These scriptures verify the Jesus Christ is God and therefore established that death penalty early on and never disavowed it.
Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. Genesis 9:6 (KJV)
Since God never changes, He is the same yesterday, today and forever then it is a done deal. The Lord Jesus Christ would be for the death penalty because it is just and right. Not to be done in revenge but done to achieve justice.
So since Jesus Christ is for the death penaly, so are true Christians.
bill
ps. Yes, I would perform the act personally under one condition; if I could talk to the convicted one face-to-face; why? I want to know that the person is ready to stand before God, by giving them the opportunity to trust Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior; After this talk, I am ready to issue the just penalty, under the law.
Hi Evangeline;
There is nothing one can say, because it is obvious. Thou shall not kill or murder is explicit. Regardless of faith and belief, it is a spiritual law that is real. People I know who have killed in war are never the same after, than they were before, even if the killing was justified, and there are times when there is no choice, but they are very few and far between.
A friend of mine was guarding a swift boat, when a young Viet Cong crept up behind him in the night. My friend’s training saved him and the crew. As he watched the young Viet Cong die, he remembers looking into his eyes “is that it?” they seemed to say. My friend was affected, and I find no fault in his actions. The only fault I find, is who put the two of them there to begin with?
Evangeline, I thank you for your kind comment, we have crossed paths before at Ridiculous in the Middle of Nowhere.
May you have a wonderful day
Regards
Robert
Hi Evangeline;
I would like to extend to you my hope that you will have a New Year that is memorable in a good way.
Your Friend
Robert
Hey Evangeline;
I am waiting for another post, it’s been awhile. I hope you are ok, and if you are, write something
Robert
Just one more.
First, well done, Bill. Correct all around.
Second, i am, the way you express your sentiment is a valuable addition to the discussion, and you are obviously right, people are not the same after having taken a life. But again, as I said elsewhere, there is a linguistic characteristic in the commandments which does make a considerable moral distinction between, as you say, justifiable killing, which is what we are really talking about, and premeditated and/or unjustified killing.
Our experience quite often does not line up with what God’s word has to say about it. Sometimes doing the right thing is very, very hard on a person.
I’d like to comment to bill’s comment.
I think he is being very selective in his choice about which parts of the bible he picks to make that statement.
I think the fact that when Jesus was asked what to do to a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery, (a crime punishable by death under Gods law of the old testament.) He declared let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Jesus reneged on following through with the death penalty in a situation where it was called for under the existing Law which was provided by the God of the Old Testament.
Even though God Himself is unmutable his instructions and Law certainly have changed (with the introduction of a certain carpenter’s son 2000 years ago.)
So in short Jesus was against the death penalty, this is clear from his actions and words. I feel sick that Bill thinks he can make a judgment on how He would act in a given situation by deduction when it is clearly laid out in example.
“So in short Jesus was against the death penalty”
I really must disagree, locksmyth, this is a huge leap. There were other things going on in that scene. To make a comprehensive doctrinal statement from one narrative scene is way, way beyond the bounds of responsible, honest interpretation. That would be like me saying that Jesus was for people selling everything that they have and giving it to the poor, based on Matthew 19.
I think he would say, “He who is without sin can cast the first stone.” Oh, wait, he already said that didn’t he.