I was listening to the radio this morning and happened upon a preacher that was preaching about a Christian view of government. I’m currently struggling to develop a good understanding of how a Christian should engage in politics and interact with government entities, so I decided to keep listening.

After about a minute or two, the preacher started talking about how capital punishment is a God-appointed institution. Instantly, I started feeling uncomfortable. I have a hard time seeing capital punishment line up with the God I know.

The preacher talked about a few things to support his case—unfortunately, I don’t remember all his scripture references—one of which is Romans 13:1-7. In verse 4, the Paul writes about authorities: “For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing.” The “sword” means death according to the preacher, which I do not disagree with. However, just because Paul acknowledges the fact that rulers of the day had the authority to cast a sentence of death on people does not mean capital punishment is what God desires.

Another passage the preacher used to prove his point is Genesis 4:1-15. He mentions the blood of the murdered cries out to God for justice, just like Abel’s blood cried out (see verse 10). In my reading of the story, Cain doesn’t receive capital punishment from God but a merciful sentence of being a restless wanderer.

One of my main struggles with capital punishment is that God desires all to come to repentance and to know Jesus as their savior. That is pretty clear in scripture. If we take a person’s life as punishment and Christ isn’t their savior, we are essentially sending them straight to hell. It is Christian’s responsibility to always present people with the love of God and opportunity to know Jesus. By taking a life we are taking away that opportunity, not giving it. Deuteronomy 32:35 says that vengeance is the Lord’s, not ours (also see Romans 12:18,19).

This is just some of my intial thoughts and reactions.

Update: Another biblical story that I was thinking about was when the religious leaders brought before Jesus a woman who had committed adultery (John 8:1-11). By the Law of Moses her offense deserved capital punishment. But Jesus did not condemn her. He spared her and told her to go and leave her life of sin.