Should Christians support the death penalty?

29/09/2009 13:58

Methodist Message is launching a new column, "Now That's A Good Question" with this month's
issue. Readers are invited to send in their questions on any topic, and we will answer them where
possible. Write in to The Editor at this email address: newmm@methodist.org.sg

Should Christians support the

death penalty?

By ROLAND CHIA

CAPITAL punishment is a divisive issue today, even among Christians. Fundamentalist Christians in
America, especially from the so-called Bible-belt, support the death penalty because it is the explicit
teaching of Scripture, particularly the Old Testament.

Conservative Catholics support the death penalty maintaining that the practice - which is the right of the
State - is in concurrence with Scripture, tradition and natural law. Liberals (and some conservatives)
have long called for its total abolition.

It is impossible within the limited compass of this essay to examine this complex issue from every angle.
What follows is a brief survey of the biblical material and the witness of the Christian tradition. I will
also discuss, albeit briefly, the arguments in support of and against capital punishment, before presenting
my own position.

There can be no doubt that the Old Testament sanctions capital punishment for certain crimes and
offences. In the Mosaic Law there are no less than 36 capital offences that are punishable by execution
by stoning, burning, decapitation or strangulation. The list includes offences such as idolatry, magic,
blasphemy, murder, adultery, bestiality, incest, and even the violation of the Sabbath. But the death
penalty is seen as an especially appropriate punishment for murder, for the Noahic covenant presents the
following principle: "Whoever shed the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made
man in his own image." (Genesis 9:6).

That capital punishment is an approved punishment that the State can execute is surely taught, or at least
implied, in Romans 13. The authority of the State is established by God to reward the good and punish
the wicked. The State has the right to wield the sword in dealing with the wicked.

Although Jesus Himself refrains from using violence, He does not deny that the State has the authority to

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Should Christians support the death penalty? 29/09/2009 13:58

exact capital punishment. He cites with approval the harsh commandment, "He who speaks evil of father
or mother, let him surely die", in His debate with the Pharisees (Matthew 15:4; Mark 7:10, Cf. Exodus
21:17; Leviticus 20:9). In His trial before Pilate, Jesus did not contest Pilate's right to execute offenders
but reminded him that this authority came "from above". (John 19:11).

Support for the death penalty is almost unanimous in the Christian tradition, particularly in the teachings
of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church. Except for a few like Ambrose, most Church Fathers maintain
that Scripture gives the State the right to exact such punishment on certain offenders.

Thoughtful objectors of the death penalty have offered four reasons why capital punishment should be
abolished. The first is that the convict may be innocent. This objection alerts us to the fact that even the
best and most objective justice system is imperfect and therefore not infallible. The second objection is
that the death penalty whets the appetite for revenge. The third objection is that the death punishment
cheapens the value of life and promotes the idea that murder in some respects may be condoned. Some
see this as a weak objection: many pro-life advocates are at the same time advocates of capital
punishment because they reasoned rightly that the innocent and the guilty do not have the same rights.

The final objection will at first glance appear to be compelling: Christians are called to forgive. Although
forgiveness is an important aspect of the Gospel and the Christian is commanded to forgive, there must
be a distinction between the assailant's relationship with his victim and with the state. Personal pardon
on the part of the victim does not absolve the offender from his/her obligation to justice.

The purposes of criminal punishment may be summarised thus: rehabilitation, defence against the
criminal, deterrence and retribution. Can the death penalty achieve these goals?

Rehabilitation: Obviously the death penalty does not help to reintegrate the criminal into society -
although from the pastoral standpoint it may cause repentance and reconciliation with God. Defence
against the criminal: Capital punishment is obviously an effective way of protecting society from the
criminal, although some questioned if such an extreme measure is really necessary. Deterrence: The
death penalty may deter others contemplating to commit similar crimes, although its power to do so is
debatable. Finally, retribution: The general principle is that guilt calls for punishment; and the greater the
offence, the more severe the punishment.

But since the State, unlike God, is neither omniscient nor omnipotent, retribution by the State obviously
has its limits.

I believe that the State has the authority to exact the death penalty although it may choose not to do so.
The State may choose to commute the death sentence to a less severe punishment, like life imprisonment
without parole. However, should the State choose to put criminals to death, such punishment should be
meted out only to perpetrators of heinous crimes like murder.

The State has the authority to wield the sword, but it must do so sparingly, and always in the interest of
justice.

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Should Christians support the death penalty? 29/09/2009 13:58

Dr Roland Chia is Dean of Postgraduate Studies and Lecturer in Historical and Systematic Theology
at Trinity Theological College. He worships at the Fairfield Preaching Point in Woodlands.

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