Hi
@9Rock9
I think it should be considered that murder, the taking of another's life, is about the most egregious sin that one can commit against another. As a christian, I have no problem with the death penalty, although I think the evidence should be sure. I do also agree that the penalty itself does seem to be applied, in some cases, unfairly as regards race. The Scriptures do apply the death penalty for murder under the old covenant and they also speak to the issue that if one lives by the sword then he shall also die by the sword. Further, even in the case of self defense murder, under the old covenant law, that person was still required to leave the community and seek an appointed city of refuge. According to the Scriptures, this was done just so the avenger of death would not find them. So, I think there is ample evidence within the Scriptures that the death penalty for murder is not something that God is against.
For me, I would like to see a more sure use of the penalty. For example, if one is convicted on sound evidence and the purpose of the murder was for some reason to gain something or get away with some act or to overpower another, then I believe it would be a better deterrent if it were applied always and forever as the sentence in such a case.
I believe that God, in giving to Moses His law, used the penalty of death for certain crimes for the express purpose of it being used in all cases and being a sure and certain penalty. Today, it's really more the rule that if one commits the general run of the mill murder, that they're likely to just have to give up some freedom...if they are caught. So you throw the dice. If you get caught, you do the time and become an even more hardened criminal. You'll very likely commit even worse crimes after being released. With a sure and certain death penalty, while I don't even consider that it would stop all murders, I believe it would, at the very least, give one who is contemplating such an act, pause. Further, as a penalty for the taking of someone's life, I think it is not only in agreement with God's law, but a fair and just penalty just for the betterment of society as a whole.
Just consider, if there were a penalty for divorce that both the man and the woman be made sterile by vasectomy or tubal ligation procedure; and if that penalty were applied for certain, how many less divorces we might have. I'm speaking of a situation where as soon as a judge would announce a marriage dissolved that the two parties would immediately, within 30 minutes of leaving the courtroom, be transferred by authorities to a clinic to perform the procedure. Not some plan whereby the parties are told to get the procedure and then left up to themselves to go out and get it done. I rather imagine that the divorce rate would drop precipitously. I believe that if death for murder were the 99% sure penalty, there'd also be a lot fewer murders. I also believe that's what God intended in giving Moses the law for His people, Israel.
God bless,
Ted