i think the third most convroversial topic for modern American Christians is the death penalty. abortion and gay marriage probably take the top two spots, but the death penalty discussion has unique twists that make for good discussion.
it seems, at least to me, that abortion is cut and dry when examined in a scriptural manner. gay marriage not so much, but still fairly cut and dry. scripture deems it wrong regardless of what the government recognizes and enacts, but even Jesus himself said to “give Caesar what is Caesar’s”. our Christianity transcends government and politics. we’re citizens of this country and are bound by its laws. that doesn’t, however, mean that we can’t (or shouldn’t) vote from a Christian perspective. i won’t vote for gay marriage, and it would trouble me if it was made legal, but what should I expect from a fallen world?
that brings us to topic #3 – the death penalty. this is something i struggle with. i’ve heard people say that “only God has the authority to take a life” . well what about the guy who took a life and ended up on death row?
stuff like this makes me all for the death penalty. but compassion and second chances make me wonder. with power comes responsibility, however, so i hope and pray that our leaders and judges make good, sound decisions when it comes to life and death. and stuff like this makes me question it altogether..
what does God say to you about the death penalty?
adam black 
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August 21, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Kristy
All I can do is pray for the leaders that have to make these decisions. It is unbearable to think of the evil and pain that man has brought to so many lives.
God teaches us forgiveness but we also live under the laws of our countries. I’m sure many were executed in Jesus’ day for many reasons, but he, as far as I know, is silent on that issue. Jesus did not give Christians any “out” from following the law of the land and therefore we are also subject to the consequences of the law. We can have our personal feelings to agree or disagree with the death penalty but that has no bearing on the command to love and forgive. So no matter what side the courts fall on the issue, our action should be the same.
Easier said than done.
August 21, 2008 at 1:19 pm
indulf
i guess the crux of the issue is this..
should a Christian support the death penalty or not? how should we vote if given the opportunity?
i think we have to put legs to our faith in many ways, and voting according to what we believe is one of those ways. fighting for justice and truth is another way.
as you know i’m pro capital punishment, but i still have some issues with it.. i just don’t know. part of me says it’s no good, part of me says we don’t execute enough criminals. ugh.