Question: I would like to know if there is anywhere in the Bible that says anything about capital punishment? Is the death penalty right or wrong according to God’s word?

Julie

Answer: Dear Julie,

Big topic - I’ll try to give you a brief answer, which of course will not be complete.

1. We must start with the fact that we do not live in a perfect world – but rather a world of sin – a world that God has given to humans to administer and rule.
2. This question concerns a civil issue of law – rather than a spiritual issue.
3. There was a time on this earth, of course, when both spiritual and civil co-existed – in the nation of Israel. God gave them laws for both their spiritual relationship with him as well as with one another, and for the nation. Capital punishment was part of that law.
4. However, we do not have any such nation on the face of the earth today. Instead, we have nations that enact their own laws. In the Western world some of those laws have a Judeo-Christian basis – as constitutions, by-laws, amendments, etc., often reflecting some kind of biblical influence.
5. Paul tells Christians in Romans 13 that the civil/national authorities in our lives are allowed to be in those positions by God. Accordingly, we are to be in submission, as long as submission does not mean we are not loyal to Jesus Christ. Thus, we are to pay taxes, be responsible servants, etc., as instructed in Romans 13:6-7. Peter says the same thing in I Peter 2:13-17.
6. Paul says in Romans 13:4 that those in government over us are God’s servants, "an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." This passage can help us as we view war and the Christian response, as well as crime and punishment.
7. Thus, the Bible does not seem to take a position on specific national laws. The Bible recognizes that nations are not and will not be 100% Christian, and that laws will be based upon a number of philosophical positions. Whether life in prison or capital punishment is the law of the state or nation in which we live, Romans 13 tells Christians that as citizens of earthly kingdoms (as well as heaven) we are to be in submission and accord with them.
8. Having said all of that I realize that I may seem to have begged the question – what should Christians think/believe about capital punishment? I have heard debates in which both sides are argued – from a biblical perspective – for capital punishment, and against capital punishment. It does not appear that any biblical mandate exists for either position. A biblical case can be made for both.