Should christians believe in the death penalty?

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by jaamez

Interesting conversation.

I think I'm still leaning more toward the pro-life side, believing that only God has the right to take a life.

I understand that if I commit a crime that is punishable by death according to civil law, then I must submit myself to that punishment. But, as Christians, should we support such laws or policies in our government - especially in the USA? I know how far we have really gotten away from an actual constitutional republic, but isn't the basis of our government still, technically, "of the people and by the people"? Bro. Alex, I don't believe it's okay for us to just say, "well, that's the law" if we feel the law is unjust or sinful. I believe it's our responsibility (and in the US, our right) to speak out and try to change that.

I've seen a few post about how the death penalty is biblical, but I've still not seen any scripture posted, in the context of the grace that God extends to us, that supports that position. And to echo what has already been stated, if we are to believe that God's Word supports a penalty of death for certain crimes, do we also make adultery and rebellion punishable by death?

I'm still morally conflicted here - given the peaceful death that Richard Cooey was given 22 years after he raped, tortured and killed two 19-year old girls. He lived in prison longer than they were even alive. Their deaths were not peaceful. And he was defiant and unrepentant even until the very end. But now his options are gone: not because God decided it was enough, but because we (society) made that decision. Now, Richard Cooey has no more space for repentance, no more opportunity to meet his Savior at the cross and experience the freedom of living a life more abundantly. Instead, he'll very likely meet Jesus as his Judge - and with a very unhappy ending.

Was he ever offered the chance to know Jesus?