Quote:
Originally Posted by Digging4Truth
I don't feel that it really answers the question that I was seeking after. I was looking for scripture that stated Gods position for the death penalty.
What you have provided here is scripture that instructs us to obey the higher powers etc. This does not make any statement about God's opinion, under the NT covenant, of the death penalty.
These scriptures are also used very subjectively by many who use them. They will use these scriptures as a blanket statement against those who would oppose our government but then completely forget that the verses exist when it comes to the government of, say, Iran, Iraq, Syria etc.
Those governments are viewed as evil governments which must not be obeyed and must be brought down and are not of God... then, when the verse serves them well enough, a blanket opposition to any disobedience to the higher powers will be used.
When these types of verses serve peoples purposes then they will say "the powers that be or ordained of God". When there is a government they don't like... then that government is of the devil and must come down.
Do you see the subjectivity that is often used there?
But... as I said... this really doesn't answer my question because i was looking for scripture that demonstrated God's actually feeling on the issue under our NT covenant.
|
It's not subjective, God raises up whom He will, for His purpose and He brings down whom He will for His purpose.
Several points from
Romans 13:
If we are doing good we should not be afraid of a ruler, even an evil one, even if doing good brings our death, because even an evil ruler that can take our lives can not send us to hell.
God sets up rulers that bear the sword, the are arm, not in vain, not just for looks but for using against evil doers. What can a sword do? The threat of your life being taken by a weapon can be a strong deterrent. Taking a evil doers life with a weapon can also cut down, no pun intended, on crime by making him an example to others and making it so that he will not commit a crime again.
I pray that no one should have to face the death penalty. But each man and woman makes their own decision about that.
Threaded Mode
