A Justifiable Death

References:
• The Larger Catechism, Specifically Questions and Answers 134-136 (It will be towards the middle of the Web Page.)
• Exodus 20:1-17 NAS
• Exodus 23:1-9 NAS
• Deuteronomy 5:4 NAS
• Micah 6:6-16 NAS
• abortion definition

**Notice**
The topics of abortion and the death penalty are very touchy items for many, many people. The way that I have tried to approach this is from a biblical world view that focus on what God considers to be justice. I know that many people, because of the pain that they have experienced in their own lives, have very strong opinions on these issues. I also know that some people will look down upon anyone who does not share their particular view point. It is not my intention to ‘look down upon’ others. Whether you agree with the death penalty, are pro-choice or pro-life, read at your own discretion. My goal is simply to share what I have learned from studying Scripture over the years. To be honest, there are times where God convicts my heart of things while I learn and grow as a Christian. It is very, very challenging to walk with God.

Remember, God's Grace is amazing. He can always reach you where you are, forgive you for all of your past mistakes. God wants to have a personal relationship with you, and His Grace is greater than anything you have done or could do though. Seek His Grace for what you have done and seek His wisdom with what you need to do.

Over the years I have been asked concerning my stance on the death penalty and abortion. When I state that I am pro-life and pro-death (penalty), many people have told me “you can’t be pro-life and pro-death!” or “You are either for abortion and the death penalty, or you are only for life!” To do try to explain why I can be against abortion and for the death penalty, but many people refuse to believe it. Being a strong introvert, it is more difficult for me to verbally explain what I believe and why. This is especially with those who are extremely extroverted and/or love to argue things. Because I am much better and explaining myself via writing, I will highlight what I believe. And, as I have mentioned many times before, this is not a thorough explanation of what I believe, just an overview.

For those who did not grow up in a Christian denomination that studies various early church writings like the Short and Larger Catechisms and various confessions, like the Westminster Confession of Faith, I will offer a brief explanation of what they are and their importance. During the Early Church, various church leaders gathered together to write various works to explain the Christian faith and correct unorthodox beliefs. Things like the Apostles Creed, Shorter and Larger Catechisms, etc., were the results. Such writings do not take precedence over Scripture. They are used to help understand Scripture. If you have not explored these important writings of the Early Church, I highly, highly encourage you to do so.

With the Larger Catechism, I was to specifically look at Question/Answer 136. It is explained exactly what we are to do, and not to do, in order to honor the 6th Commandment. In a nutshell, we are not to take an ‘innocent life.’ What is an ‘innocent life?’ An innocent life is one that has not committed a crime that should be punished by death. For example, doing such things as lying, stealing food or books, verbally insulting someone, etc., are crimes hardly worthy of being put to death. Instead, it would be more justifiable if the person who committed such acts paid restitution, spent time in prison, or something else reasonable.

However, in situations where a person commits forced rape, killing numerous people through gross negligence (for example, driving while intoxicated and causing an accident that kills several people), or intentionally killing a person out of anger, envy, or to try and hide a crime. All of these examples are one where a person chooses to cause great injury, pain, and even the death of someone else. Though the death penalty may not be the right sentence for everyone it should be an option. Especially for those who choose to do something out of the anger/malice of their hearts, have a history of hurting or abusing other people, or kill the person in such a way as to show that they were hiding another crime, trying to cause excessive suffering, etc.

Of course, care must be taken to make sure that the correct person is being sentenced for a crime that had been committed. This goes for any crime, serious or not. The punishment needs to be appropriate for the crime that had been committed. But, when the evidence has been closely examined and weighed, and a verdict of guilty has been rendered, one other very important thing has to be considered. Just how much of a threat is this person to society? What kind of justice would be most appropriate so that the friends and family of the victim(s) could get closure? It isn’t just the threat to society that one has to worry about. It is also the threat he/she holds to those who work in the prison system.
For example, is the person going to be a significant threat to other inmates and staff within the prison system? Are they extremely callous, or do they show signs of repentance? Do they have a history of violence? If they are in a gang, especially one who is already high up in the ranks or wanting to move up, no matter at what cost, how likely are they to engage in violent behavior while incarcerated? All of these are very serious questions that need to be carefully examined. It’s not just about ‘justice’ for what he/she did to a person or a group of people, but also justice for those directly affected by the death and the people that will have to deal with him/her while in prison.

In summary, the Death Penalty is a method for a State or country to enforce laws and to protect the members of society. Those who work as corrections professionals (custody staff, unity staff, maintenance staff, amongst many others who work in corrections and with Inmates on a daily basis) have families, too. This is probably something many people either don’t understand or choose to ignore. If you choose to not sentence a violent person in their 20’s or 30’s to death, but just give them life, the staff have to deal with that person for decades to come. Yes, some people do change. However, not everyone does. And, as I have explained to many people, the few hours that an Inmate has with friends and family during visitation, while in court, or attending a religious activity, is just one face of an Inmate. From personal experience, I have seen numerous Inmates put on a very convincing front about being apologetic and remorseful about their crimes and very pious. Even very loving and caring towards others. However, I have seen many Inmates show a very angry and vengeful attitude towards staff.

Though some Inmates change, many do not. And, it is not an easy decision. One that needs to be made very, very carefully. But, all of these things need to be taken in consideration. Not just the heinousness of the crime and its impact on community, but the person’s history and the threat that he or she will be towards those who have to deal with him on a daily basis in prison. To ignore any of these, especially those who work in a prison, is to make light of or totally disregard them.

Now, concerning abortion… What is abortion, but the ending the life of a fetus (unborn baby) while it is still growing within the mother. If we take into consideration what justifiable homicide is verses murder, there is a significant difference. One involves the taking of a life in defense of oneself or someone else, and one involves the killing of someone who has not done anything wrong. In Deuteronomy 5:17 and Exodus 20:13, the same Hebrew word is used, רצח (raw-tsakh') (Lexicon number 7532 or http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/hebrew/nas/ratsach.html) primarily means to murder or slay a person.

In the Micah 6 passage, we see two important things. One is the evil that is being done to other people. The other, in Micah 6:8, we see how God calls us to live. We are “…to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God…” That is, we are to protect others, show love and kindness to others, and to walk in total dependence with God. As I argued earlier, there is a time and place where a person who has committed a grievous crime against someone else (especially murder), where the death penalty would be a justifiable sentence. However, if we are to ‘love justice,’ would the killing of a fetus be ‘justifiable?’

Let’s seriously think about this for a moment. Did the fetus commit a heinous crime against the mother, or against someone else, or was the woman (or girl’s) pregnancy the result of someone else’s sin? Did the woman become pregnant because she stole food, verbally slandered someone, or because she got into a fight and accidently injured or killed someone? Or, did a woman or girl become pregnant because either they choose to have sex with someone or someone forced them to have sex? What will be the end result of ending the life of the fetus (who is the innocent bystander here)? Will it be justice, or will it be revenge?

I know that many of those who push ‘pro-choice’ emphasize the very volatile and emotion driven topic of women and children being raped and becoming pregnant. Therefore, if the child is from an unwanted relationship, it should be up to the woman or girl as to if the fetus should be allowed to live or to die. To me, whether or not the fetus (again, unborn baby) we created from consensual or nonconsensual sex, is beside the point. If we are to act justly with something, we have to punish those who have committed a crime. Since a fetus is the result of a bad choice (consensual sex) or the result of being sexually assaulted, it did not commit a crime.

In life, there are times when we have to make very, very difficult choices. Things that can have a huge impact on our lives and the lives of those around us. And these choices can be laden with all sorts of very, very strong emotion. During these times, it can be very difficult to make wise decisions. However, if we are to live by God’s standards, we have to be very, very careful how we choose to do things. It is wrong in God’s eyes for us to not protect the innocent. Throughout Scripture, God condemns the oppression of ‘the widow, the orphan, the alien.’ God calls us to uphold justice. With that, we are to punish those who commit evil in a manner that evil or revengeful. The other side of the coin is that, if we are ‘to live justly,’ we are to protect those who have not committed a crime.

A final thought… I do not get excited about people being put to death. I would rather see people repent of the evil that they have done. However, from what I have learned from studying human nature and my experiences as a MP and in Corrections, I know that many people choose not to change. No prison will perfectly protect the community at large. Inmates have known to escape from time-to-time. Not just that, but violent prisoners are still a daily danger to other inmates and the staff that enforce the rules and provide programing to help those who want to change.