Is it ever justified to kill?

[Umaro]

The Bible is very clear that it supports the death penalty, but what about the grey areas? Allow me to pose a situation

Let's say there is a train coming towards you, and if left on it's current path will hit 5 workers. Next to you is a switch which will switch the track to one that will only result in the death of 1 worker. Is it just to use the switch, and kill one man instead of indirectly watching 5 die, though you have no involvement?

 

[davedjy]

In the days before the Age of Grace (Old Testament) it was "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth". The death penalty now is under great debate even among Christians.
I do not support it, personally...I think one can live out their sentence in jail under full consequence. I'm not sure w/your theory of how that would work, because it opens up a whole game of "what ifs".

 

[Heritage]

It is easier for one worker to get out of the way, rather than five.

And no, the Bible doesn't support the death penalty.

 

[Umaro]

It is easier for one worker to get out of the way, rather than five.

And no, the Bible doesn't support the death penalty.

The situation assumes that the worker(s) in the way will be hit, otherwise it would be a meaningless example. I'm also not here to argue about the death penalty.

 

[MikeMcK]

And no, the Bible doesn't support the death penalty.

You're joking, right? Do you have any idea how many times God commands death for certain offenses?

 

[Key]

do what your heart will let you live with.

Some days, there are no easy choices.

God Bless

Key

 

[Umaro]

do what your heart will let you live with.

Some days, there are no easy choices.

God Bless

Key

Um, no offense, but cryptic philosophical messages aren't really an answer.

 

[davedjy]

do what your heart will let you live with.

Some days, there are no easy choices.

God Bless

Key

Jeremiah 17:9

9 The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?

 

[Key]

Um, no offense, but cryptic philosophical messages aren't really an answer.

If you would like, could you tell me why?

Jeremiah 17:9

9 The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?

and Jeremiah 17.10, "I the LORD search the heart
and examine the mind,
to reward a man according to his conduct,
according to what his deeds deserve."

So, maybe your using that in a manner that does not apply to what I am talking about Davedy, as I do not see how it applies.

God Bless

Key

 

[davedjy]

If you would like, could you tell me why?



and Jeremiah 17.10, "I the LORD search the heart
and examine the mind,
to reward a man according to his conduct,
according to what his deeds deserve."

So, maybe your using that in a manner that does not apply to what I am talking about Davedy, as I do not see how it applies.

God Bless

Key

The Lord can search and find all He wants...He is without sin, and He is God... but we are not. You are the one using the analogy out of context. He is all powerful and we are not God. We cannot lean on our own understanding, and certainly not on our own hearts...we have a sin nature. Do you see the distinction? We cannot use philosophies to back up our theories, we have to pray to God and lean on Him, as well as use Biblical supports to back our theories, in context.


Proverbs 3:5

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding

 

[Umaro]

If you would like, could you tell me why?



and Jeremiah 17.10, "I the LORD search the heart
and examine the mind,
to reward a man according to his conduct,
according to what his deeds deserve."

So, maybe your using that in a manner that does not apply to what I am talking about Davedy, as I do not see how it applies.

God Bless

Key

Well, I asked it if as ever justified to kill, and you said to do whatever my heart tells me. That's not really an answer. I mean, if I asked you if 2+2=5 and you said to go with my gut instinct, my question hasn't been answered. I already know what I think, so my question was what you all think on the matter. I have no idea how the scripture in the other post relates either.

 

[Adstar]

The Bible is very clear that it supports the death penalty, but what about the grey areas? Allow me to pose a situation

Let's say there is a train coming towards you, and if left on it's current path will hit 5 workers. Next to you is a switch which will switch the track to one that will only result in the death of 1 worker. Is it just to use the switch, and kill one man instead of indirectly watching 5 die, though you have no involvement?

In a situation like this one would have to go with their conscience. And rely upon the forgiveness that comes from acceptance of the Messiah Jesus if their action is wrong in the eyes of God.

I would pull the lever and rely upon the atoning blood of Jesus for the death of the one worker.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[Adstar]

I as a Christian do not believe it is ever justified to kill someone. Christians should never kill anyone. But the death sentence is an option available to the powers that be on earth. And we live under the laws of the nation we live in. So be it.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[Umaro]

I as a Christian do not believe it is ever justified to kill someone. Christians should never kill anyone. But the death sentence is an option available to the powers that be on earth. And we live under the laws of the nation we live in. So be it.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

What about the situation I posed? What would your reaction be there.

 

[Adstar]

What about the situation I posed? What would your reaction be there.

I already answered your situation

In a situation like this one would have to go with their conscience. And rely upon the forgiveness that comes from acceptance of the Messiah Jesus if their action is wrong in the eyes of God.

I would pull the lever and rely upon the atoning blood of Jesus for the death of the one worker.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[Zeena]

The Bible is very clear that it supports the death penalty, but what about the grey areas? Allow me to pose a situation

Let's say there is a train coming towards you, and if left on it's current path will hit 5 workers. Next to you is a switch which will switch the track to one that will only result in the death of 1 worker. Is it just to use the switch, and kill one man instead of indirectly watching 5 die, though you have no involvement?

HeH

You can push the one man out of the way and take the hit yourself...

 

[PenelopePitstop2]

Nice one Zeena, just like Jesus would have done.

In this hypothetical situation, you are not opting to kill anyone. The train is going to do that. You are trying to minimise the number of deaths in a situation you have little control of. People like medics make choices like this every day where treatment is prioritised and wrong decisions can and do get made. Personally I would change tracks and pray the one man got out of the way or the train stopped or whatever. It is hardly killing someone in my view and you cannot view it as such.

As for death penalties, The OT may have ruled this but the NT is about grace and mercy and turning the other cheek.

 

[Zeena]

I wouldn't feel guilty if I accedntally killed someone