The Bible must be applied to everyday life if it is to have any meaning for individuals, both those who believe in God and for those who don’t. The argument could be made, and often is, that such a notion forces God onto unbelievers. Whether unbelievers like it or not, God’s immutable laws of life, spiritually and physically, can’t be altered and they do affect everyone positively and negatively. Life presents many questions about human behavior and again, whether believers like it or not the Bible presents the answers to human problems. And some Christians seem to miss that fact too. God and his principles apply to all of life, believer and unbeliever alike.

With all that written, it is now time to turn to the presidential debate and an answer presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee gave to a question about the death penalty. He said that he was the only one on the stage with a degree in theology and then blew the answer to the question concerning whether Jesus would approve of the death penalty with a cutesy quip, “that Jesus was too smart ever to run for public office.” Several things are wrong with that answer; the most obvious one being that Jesus didn’t come to earth to run for public office. Unfortunately Huckabee missed the opportunity to teach the unlearned and God haters what the Bible records on the matter. David Limbaugh, in his article, gave a good answer in support of capital punishment until the finish when he wrote I believe it's fair to assume Jesus would approve of the practice.  With all the respect that is due to Mr. Limbaugh, we don’t have to assume anything on the subject of Jesus and the death penalty.

When Cain slew Abel, God didn’t execute Cain and instead made it such that no one else would kill him. 15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. (Genesis 4:15) The truth is that God approved of the death penalty for certain crimes, but it is equally true that the penalty was not to be carried out by other than duly constituted authority, not by citizens looking for vengeance. The other message here is that God is the author of salvation and saved Cain from death.

Jesus lived under the Laws of Moses which called for the death penalty for certain behaviors contrary to God’s way. He followed the law as prescribed during his time on earth so that means he approved of the death penalty within the law he followed daily. Though it is true that Jesus told Peter to put up his sword after cutting off the ear of the servant of the high priest when he came for Jesus (Matthew 26:52, the point being that the truth doesn’t need to be defended by force), the last part of the verse is none the less true for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (Confer with Romans 13:4 and the comments on Genesis 4:15 above.) Those who live by the sword will die that way.

The law in the Roman Empire was swift, sure, and quick against law violators. It is obvious that Jesus had no problem with the laws dealing with criminal behavior since there isn’t one word in the Bible where he spoke against the civil laws which he himself followed. Remember that Jesus was crucified between two thieves and that would have been the perfect time for him to speak out against the death penalty.

God’s laws are spiritual, civil and physical (nature). The spiritual controls the civil behavior and calls for certain penalties when that behavior is wrong. The death penalty is the ultimate penalty for taking the life of another human. People who believe in God are duty bound to know the Bible. On that note, Mike Huckabee missed an opportunity to teach the truth to an unlearned world needing to hear the truth concerning the death penalty.

© 11-30-2007 DEC

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