Why isn't the death penalty murder?
Introduction. There continues to be interest in capital punishment. As of the late 1990's, there have been about 57 executions since some states "reinstated" capital punishment - 30 in Texas alone. The execution of Gary Davis in 1997 was the first execution by Colorado in 30 years.
There is an important difference between killing and murder. While some might claim killing anyone is murder, the scriptures teach the taking of a human life in some cases is justified. In Exodus 20: 13 we read, "thou shalt not kill." However, those under Moses' Law (theocracy) who committed capital offenses such as murder (unlawful taking of a human life) were to be "surely put to death" (Ex. 21: 12; Lev. 24:17). Please appreciate the moral certainty resident in the language.
The origin of the death penalty. This represents a foundational principle based on God's creation. As Gen. 9:6 states "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man." This is also an expression of that constitutes "just" punishment. As Deut. 19:17 says, "... life shall be for life".
God ordained the death penalty and also appointed "man" to perform it. After the Holy Spirit through Paul admonished Christians not to take vengeance on their enemies, Paul reveals God has given that role to civil government per Romans 13: 1-7. Verse 4 states such civil authority "... is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil."
Those who oppose correct capital punishment are opposing God who instituted and commands it! If the death penalty were inherently wrong, Paul would not have offered to freely yield to it. Hear him: "For if I be an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die..." (Acts 25: 11).
Conclusion. When correctly exercised, the death penalty is not murder because God legislated capital punishment. As man seeks to remove God's authority from defining right and wrong along with morals in general, we will continue to call evil good and good evil (Isa. 5: 20). The very concept of "punishment" seems to have departed from the thinking of many, resulting in growing lawlessness. As proclaimed in Eccl. 8:11: "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."
There is an important difference between killing and murder. While some might claim killing anyone is murder, the scriptures teach the taking of a human life in some cases is justified. In Exodus 20: 13 we read, "thou shalt not kill." However, those under Moses' Law (theocracy) who committed capital offenses such as murder (unlawful taking of a human life) were to be "surely put to death" (Ex. 21: 12; Lev. 24:17). Please appreciate the moral certainty resident in the language.
The origin of the death penalty. This represents a foundational principle based on God's creation. As Gen. 9:6 states "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man." This is also an expression of that constitutes "just" punishment. As Deut. 19:17 says, "... life shall be for life".
God ordained the death penalty and also appointed "man" to perform it. After the Holy Spirit through Paul admonished Christians not to take vengeance on their enemies, Paul reveals God has given that role to civil government per Romans 13: 1-7. Verse 4 states such civil authority "... is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil."
Those who oppose correct capital punishment are opposing God who instituted and commands it! If the death penalty were inherently wrong, Paul would not have offered to freely yield to it. Hear him: "For if I be an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die..." (Acts 25: 11).
Conclusion. When correctly exercised, the death penalty is not murder because God legislated capital punishment. As man seeks to remove God's authority from defining right and wrong along with morals in general, we will continue to call evil good and good evil (Isa. 5: 20). The very concept of "punishment" seems to have departed from the thinking of many, resulting in growing lawlessness. As proclaimed in Eccl. 8:11: "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."