THE DEATH PENALTY
I fully appreciate that the above subject is immensely emotive. For some time I have had it upon my heart to simply set forth my thoughts as to it in connection with the Scriptures.
Having found a number of well instructed saints holding a view which conflicts with the Word of God, based rather upon sentiment, I feel the time has come to speak out.
I have no knowledge as to which nations have abolished the death penalty, nor of those who continue to apply it for certain crimes. Whether one "side" has a clear majority or not is of no significance. But I fully expect that a perusal of the increase in crimes against the person, acts of violence, and cases of murder, have increased significantly in those places where its abolition has been implemented.
I would just like to add that the argument that the death penalty is NOT a deterrent is unworthy of discussion! Furthermore, the U.K. having abolished it, I do not know when, and I do not have the desire to find out, recently in the wake of so called "Brexit," I learned that no nation may join or remain in the E.U. if it has retained the death penalty. So, when a referendum in regard to its restoration was mooted a while back, but denied to those who vote on these issues, [NOT me,] it was actually deceptive, as the restoration could never have taken place even if the entire population wanted it!
One has commented thus, "The first post-diluvian age opened, however, with a further delegation of authority. Noah and his sons after him were responsible to maintain God's rights in man, especially as regards the sacredness of human life. (See Gen. 9:5 and 6). God hereby delegated to certain men authority over men even to the execution of capital punishment. Patriarchal authority was thus established."
It was recorded o another of the Lords' servants:-
"At a time when there was a great deal said about the abolition of Capital Punishment, he felt very strongly against such a measure, because, as he said, when the government of the earth was committed to Noah, the command was clear — "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed;" He rightly concluded "it had never been abrogated."
And from the pen of another, "For wilful murder there was no release from the penalty, even though the murderer might have fled for protection to God's altar. (See 1 Kings 2:28-32.) He must die. There is no countenance in the word of God for the modern philanthropic movement for the abolition of capital punishment. It substitutes indeed human ideas in the place of God's primeval law. In fact, it exalts man over God." Finally, I carefully submit, that Christ could not, (humanly speaking,) have died a judicial death if capital punishment had been divinely abrogated!
One has commented thus, "The first post-diluvian age opened, however, with a further delegation of authority. Noah and his sons after him were responsible to maintain God's rights in man, especially as regards the sacredness of human life. (See Gen. 9:5 and 6). God hereby delegated to certain men authority over men even to the execution of capital punishment. Patriarchal authority was thus established."
It was recorded o another of the Lords' servants:-
"At a time when there was a great deal said about the abolition of Capital Punishment, he felt very strongly against such a measure, because, as he said, when the government of the earth was committed to Noah, the command was clear — "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed;" He rightly concluded "it had never been abrogated."
And from the pen of another, "For wilful murder there was no release from the penalty, even though the murderer might have fled for protection to God's altar. (See 1 Kings 2:28-32.) He must die. There is no countenance in the word of God for the modern philanthropic movement for the abolition of capital punishment. It substitutes indeed human ideas in the place of God's primeval law. In fact, it exalts man over God." Finally, I carefully submit, that Christ could not, (humanly speaking,) have died a judicial death if capital punishment had been divinely abrogated!
