http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/30943114.html
This has been a major news story in my area for the last few weeks. I must say that I'm a little torn about the whole issue. Maybe it's my spirit wrestling with my flesh.
I know that the Bible states that the wages of sin is death. But scripture also teaches us that we are freed from the curse of the law - the law that stated "an eye for an eye..." We are the light of the world and are called to spread the good news of life and restoration. But when I see something like what this guy did, something in me rises up and says it's time to take out the trash.
I was 19 when this happened and remember it well. Wendy Offredo was in my speech class at UA in the spring semester, 1986. I remember the horror of hearing how these girls were tortured and beaten to death, and the place where it all took place is within 5 minutes of where I worked. This was, in some ways, personal to me, though admittedly distantly personal.
So I'm having trouble reconciling within myself the heinous criminal acts, the conviction of the charges, and the meeting out of the punishment. He's clearly unrepentant as his defiant final remarks indicate. I just wonder, though...
If we are all worthy of death due to our sins (none greater than any other), can we as christians agree with a civil penalty of death based on what society agrees are crimes worthy of death? Has anyone done a Bible study on this topic?
I'm interested in hearing biblically supported perspectives (either way) as well as what your gut says. Are you conflicted the same way I am?
God bless.
~ Jim
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