On June 22nd the Dallas Morning News published a number of responses to the Timothy McVeigh verdict and sentence for his murdering of 168 human beings in the Oklahoma City bombing. Many of the reactions to the death penalty were predictable, but a few of those opposing capital punishment have come up with some bizarre explanations–based (albeit erroneously) on the Scriptures. Michael J. Partyka writes:
However, for Christians, the New Testament amends certain areas of Old Testament doctrine, and there is a well-known story in the Gospel of John that should be remembered whenever the death penalty is brought to mind (all quotations are from 4J).
The New Testament does not amend the Old Testament; it replaces it. The “law of commandments contained in ordinances” was abolished (Eph. 2:15) and nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14). Jesus never gave anyone the impression that He had come to amend a few laws. The whole Old Testament system was replaced by his new covenant, which took effect after His death (Heb. 9:16-17). Worship was changed, and laws not dealing with moral issues were nullified, but what moral laws changed? None of them were amended; many of them became even stricter (see Matthew 5).
The writer proceeds to tell the story of the woman taken in adultery (John 8:3-11), but he does not explain the background of the incident. The scribes and Pharisees were constantly trying to entrap Jesus (see verse 6), and they used this occasion as an opportunity. If Jesus agrees with the Law of Moses, He will authorize them to do what the law of Rome forbade.
They care neither about the woman nor the Law of God; their goal is to get Jesus in trouble with someone. If He says, “Stone her,” they will go to the Romans and accuse Jesus of usurping Roman law and being a troublemaker. If Jesus disagrees with Moses, the scribes and Pharisees will tell the multitudes that Jesus has challenged Moses and contradicted the law.
Jesus chooses neither option. While not disagreeing that she is worthy of death, He introduces a new element into the situation. “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first” (John 8:7). They do not know how to handle this judgment. After all, their own motive in even bringing her to Jesus was a sinful one. They all depart.
Was he revoking the death penalty in the case of adultery alone? Not likely… No, the only interpretation we can make is that Jesus was rescinding the death penalty for ALL sins, and, whether we like it or not, that includes the senseless murder of 168 people.
Whoa!! Partyka has made a giant leap from observing Jesus’ actions regarding this woman to concluding He had somehow revoked the death penalty. Perhaps he failed to notice that Jesus did not say, “You have heard it said that adulterers should be put to death, but I say unto you let them live.” He also overlooks verse 6: “This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him.” This is not a sincere inquiry into New Testament teaching regarding the continued use of capital punishment. Furthermore, Jesus’ actions (in avoiding the dilemma posed) cannot be construed as a definitive discourse on the subject.
Those who want to know what the New Testament doctrine is concerning capital punishment need to look for clear, unmistakable teaching on the subject, not draw unwarranted conclusions from Jesus’ actions.
So, please, if you are a Christian, don’t try to use the Bible to justify the death penalty, in Tim McVeigh’s case or any other. You can’t. Jesus’ message was one of forgiveness, not death.
Since Jesus had a message of forgiveness, why bother to punish McVeigh at all? Let’s just forgive him and trust him not to repeat the offense. Of course, such would be a foolishness. Justice demands that he be paid back according to his actions–even if he never blew up another building. A person may be forgiven for transgressions committed but still be punished.
David is an example of this fact. When he acknowledged his sin with Bathsheba, Nathan told him, “The Lord has put away your sin” (2 Sam. 12:13). But David also suffered several consequences for his sins, including the untimely death of four sons and the ravishing of his concubines. If McVeigh genuinely repents and becomes obedient to God in all things, God will forgive him. Such would have no mitigating effect on his earthly punishment, however.
The New Testament and Capital Punishment
Before we hastily conclude that Jesus’ actions nullified capital punishment, let’s take a look at what the New Testament says or doesn’t say about the subject. First of all, when Jesus was about to be crucified, did He say, “You have no right to put me to death this way”? No. Rome had the authority to execute evildoers, and Jesus did not challenge them. Paul likewise did not challenge the right of the government to put him to death.
“For if I am an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar” (Acts 25:11).
Furthermore, Paul wrote: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God” (Rom. 13:1). Civil government possesses Divine authority. Does this mean that each official is good and honest? Hardly. Those who are corrupt or who abuse their power will have to give an answer for themselves, but the offices have been created for the good of mankind. In fact, “whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves” (Rom. 13:2). Christians have the responsibility to cooperate with civil governments, the only exception occurring when they demand something of us that contradicts our worship or service of God.
Now notice Romans 13:4.
For he 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.
Consider the pertinient facts in this verse. One of the functions God has in mind for the civil government is to punish evildoers. Notice that God has given him the authority to use the sword in carrying out this task. The sword implies death; it was used to execute wrath. God ordained this procedure; therefore, capital punishment in the New Testament is authorized.
Peter wrote similarly.
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good (1 Peter 2:13-14).
Although it is true that punishment could include life imprisonment, Peter’s words certainly allow for capital punishment. Most evildoers were put to death.
Capital Punishment’s Rationale
Another point that Mr. Partyka overlooked is the reason that God gave for capital punishment when he instituted it after the flood.
“Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning: from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of every man. From the hand of every man’s brother I will require the life of man. Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man” (Gen. 9:5-6).
Let it be first noted that this passage of Scripture predates the Law of Moses, which was nailed to the cross. Jesus, when teaching on divorce and remarriage, also appealed to what occurred before the Law of Moses was delivered. What occurred in the garden of Eden (Gen. 2) became the basis for His teaching on the permanence of marriage.
Consider the substance of the text. What is the reason for capital punishment? Anyone (or any animal) who takes the life of a human being has murdered a person made in the image of God. Such is a serious offense to God, the One who made us that way. We do not have the right to destroy such a one. So the one who would presume to do so must forfeit his own life.
If the murderer is not punished, no one will think that murder is all that serious. No one will regard life as valuable. Such an attitude will only lead to less and less respect for human life and more and more attacks against individuals. Christians, of all people, have a right to uphold the Bible’s teaching on capital punishment.
*Send comments or questions concerning this article to Gary Summers. Please refer to this article as: “CRIME AND CAPITAL PUNISHMENT (7/6/97).”