should a court judge pass a death sentence?
Loyal
Neither would I want to be in the position of having to pass sentence on a person where circumstances the sentence under man's law had to be death, but the answer to question lies in the heart of the judge. A court judge who is also a believer in God could face some difficult decisions. The only way to be certain we are always following God's will is to always follow the lead of the Holy Ghost. This would include making a court judgement against another person if that was part of your of your job. We do need to stay in touch God all of the time.
Active
that raises interesting point...a Christian judge ought to obey God/The Holy Spirit first if there was a conflict in a sentence that normally meant death, but it would not be easy
Member
I wrestle with this one as well. I would not want to be in the judge's shoes, having to make that decision, or even the executioner that pulls the switch, administers the injection, etc.
Moderator
Staff Member
No it is not murder dear brother. The law and authorities are put there by God for a purpose. If you look at the death penalty as revenge or vengeance then you would probably be correct (Romans 12:19). This is not what the government does nor what it is setup to do by God.
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Romans 13:1-4
Judge as a position is difficult. Could I hold such a position and say that I would not have doubts if one of the requirements placed upon me in that position meant that I impose the death penalty? I probably would have doubts, but if I were against such a penalty would it have been right by me to accept such a position knowing that according to my position on the subject it wouldn't be a "decision", but be already a pre-disposed determined fact that I would not make such a ruling as "death"?
In the United States they have the death penalty in some states. So when they have juries individuals who are selected to make such determinations (exceptions occur). They ask them if they could impose the death penalty. I've talked with some who have served on such court cases in which some people on the jury will say before the trial begins that they can find someone guilty and impose the death penalty. Yet, when it comes to decision time they have said "I could never sentence anyone to death".
If the government allows for it, then as a judge you must be willing to make that decision. However, as in New Zealand there is no law for it. What then is your concern? Is it that maybe they should have it?
I look at the longer view that mankind has been under a death penalty since the fall. So whether they die by the sword of the government or on judgment day. Death most assuredly will arrive for all.
Except, by God's Great Mercy and the death of One. Those who believe in Jesus Christ will not find the death penalty as punishment, but life..Eternal Life!! Glory be to God! Alleluia!
Always with the Love of Jesus Christ Dear Brother @robaston.
YBIC
Nick
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Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Romans 13:1-4
Judge as a position is difficult. Could I hold such a position and say that I would not have doubts if one of the requirements placed upon me in that position meant that I impose the death penalty? I probably would have doubts, but if I were against such a penalty would it have been right by me to accept such a position knowing that according to my position on the subject it wouldn't be a "decision", but be already a pre-disposed determined fact that I would not make such a ruling as "death"?
In the United States they have the death penalty in some states. So when they have juries individuals who are selected to make such determinations (exceptions occur). They ask them if they could impose the death penalty. I've talked with some who have served on such court cases in which some people on the jury will say before the trial begins that they can find someone guilty and impose the death penalty. Yet, when it comes to decision time they have said "I could never sentence anyone to death".
If the government allows for it, then as a judge you must be willing to make that decision. However, as in New Zealand there is no law for it. What then is your concern? Is it that maybe they should have it?
I look at the longer view that mankind has been under a death penalty since the fall. So whether they die by the sword of the government or on judgment day. Death most assuredly will arrive for all.
Except, by God's Great Mercy and the death of One. Those who believe in Jesus Christ will not find the death penalty as punishment, but life..Eternal Life!! Glory be to God! Alleluia!
Always with the Love of Jesus Christ Dear Brother @robaston.
YBIC
Nick
<><
Active
God ordained the powers that be for the purpose of protecting the good and punish the evildoers; beside that God's Word tells us to submit ourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, for so is the will of God. Notwithstanding in our present time we see more and more the reverse in the powers that be, for they now tend to protect the evildoers and punish the good, in which case it would have to be exceedingly factual to conduct capital punishment, lest the good is put to death, while the evildoer is protected.
Loyal
If there is a conflict, then there is no choice for the believer. A believer must follow the Lord's Way always, which is why we need to hear what God is saying to us always.
Active
i am going to answer this strapping young giant of the Heavenly realm (in joshing mood nick) one point at a time.
Agree, not murder....really it's judgement/reaping.
Active
The law and authorities are put there by God for a purpose
When I see how turkey, iran, russia and so on are now I see the devil panicking and hassling people big time. God will always deliver His children and submission to authorities would be difficult for christians in these places.
if I were against such a penalty would it have been right by me to accept such a position
agree, if one can't do the job, it is better to turn it down
Those who believe in Jesus Christ will not find the death penalty as punishment, but life..Eternal Life!!
This what God told me about this issue
When I see how turkey, iran, russia and so on are now I see the devil panicking and hassling people big time. God will always deliver His children and submission to authorities would be difficult for christians in these places.
if I were against such a penalty would it have been right by me to accept such a position
agree, if one can't do the job, it is better to turn it down
Those who believe in Jesus Christ will not find the death penalty as punishment, but life..Eternal Life!!
This what God told me about this issue
Member
For my part, I don't believe I can profess proactive beliefs about the life of a child. And then express the belief that child should be put to death for a crime later on.