I have questions -- I'd like some feedback
I was reading a new article on the execution of Saddam Hussein, and it mentioned a Muslim priest giving a sermon:
“In his Friday sermon, a mosque preacher in the Shiite holy city of Najaf called Saddam's execution "God's gift to Iraqis."
"Oh, God, you know what Saddam has done! He killed millions of Iraqis in prisons, in wars with neighboring countries and he is responsible for mass graves. Oh God, we ask you to take revenge on Saddam," said Sheik Sadralddin al-Qubanji, a member of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, known as SCIRI, the dominant party in al-Maliki's coalition.”
What’s your take on this? What’s your understanding of the Biblical stance on capital punishment?
Through the “renewing of our minds” (Romans 12:1), and the assumed enlightenment that should occur in the process, what does God say about capital punishment?
How do you feel?
I’m not sure, myself. I’m still trying to work it out.
What are your thoughts?
Dale
“In his Friday sermon, a mosque preacher in the Shiite holy city of Najaf called Saddam's execution "God's gift to Iraqis."
"Oh, God, you know what Saddam has done! He killed millions of Iraqis in prisons, in wars with neighboring countries and he is responsible for mass graves. Oh God, we ask you to take revenge on Saddam," said Sheik Sadralddin al-Qubanji, a member of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, known as SCIRI, the dominant party in al-Maliki's coalition.”
What’s your take on this? What’s your understanding of the Biblical stance on capital punishment?
Through the “renewing of our minds” (Romans 12:1), and the assumed enlightenment that should occur in the process, what does God say about capital punishment?
How do you feel?
I’m not sure, myself. I’m still trying to work it out.
What are your thoughts?
Dale
posted by Wealthedge at 11:11 AM
2 Comments:
Talk about dualities: Love and forgiveness versus vengeance and punishment! Should Christians support the death penalty? Man, that’s deep!
People should study and pray to see how the Spirit guides them. But, I’m more than happy to give my two cents…
To further the duality, the New Testament doesn’t appear to support the Old Testament in regards to the death penalty – at least, at first glance it doesn’t. But it doesn’t overtly oppose it either.
The Old Testament is clear. Even before the inception of Jewish Law, God spoke to Noah (Gen 9:6) and said, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.” In Exodus 21, God lays out several crimes punishable by death, including murder, rape, kidnapping, adultery, and others.
And, in Sodom and Gomorrah, God demonstrated the death penalty in a dramatic only-God-can-do-it fashion. “Don’t want to repent and obey my commands? Here, have some burning sulfur rain! So, how ya like me now?”
However, the New Testament muddies the waters. Christ’s ministry was about love and forgiveness. It’s almost as if God took a 180 degree turn on the death penalty.
In John 8, when the teachers of the law and Pharisees brought an adulterous woman to Jesus, they attempted to bate Him into a trap. Under Mosaic Law, the woman should have been stoned to death, but under Romanic Law, she should have been allowed to live. Had Christ chosen one law over the other, the result would have been the same. So He chose the option nobody thought of. He told the crowd, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” The Bible doesn’t say what He wrote on the ground, only that He wrote something. We’re left with the image that He may have been listing out everyone’s sins. Ouch!
Christ demonstrated forgiveness unparalleled by any man. Even as He was led to the cross, He cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” So, are we to believe that God is now opposed to the death penalty? For, if Christ could forgive those who put Him to death, shouldn’t we have the same compassion for those who sin against us?
Even in the New Testament, there is argument for the death penalty. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) Death from sin can be both physical and spiritual. There is punishment for wrongdoing.
In Romans 13:1-2, we find support for our governing authorities: "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."
Me personally, I’m for the death penalty. The law is clear and people know the possible price before they commit the crime. I have a hard time feeling sorry for people who commit murder and are subsequently convicted and executed as a result. They have the opportunity to make right with Christ before they are no more for this world. Not reconciling with Him is sadder in my mind than their physical death.
I don’t know that I’m right on this issue. And I struggle with my own thoughts on the subject. But, as I read the scripture, pray, and develop my own relationship with Christ, this is the way I feel led.
Dang, Dale! Why do you always make me think? It hurts!
Great questions Dale! I am not sure what I am suppose to support. Laurence made such great points! Personally, I think Saddam got what he deserved. Am I right for thinking that? I am not sure. Excellent points made by both you and Laurence. I will have to explore that more. Awesome post!
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