canadyjd
Well-Known Member
Do you really believe Christians should support the death penalty in areas of the world (Islamic countries, for example) where the death penalty is part of the country's laws and it is a death penalty offense to be a Christian?James death: OK now that you mention it, yes, it does support the death penalty. Herod was the representative of the government and had the technical right (but not the approval of God of course) to execute those whom he declared enemies of the state.
That he was corrupt does enter into the picture of course.
Well, I didn't say the word "sword" was "always" a figure of speech, only that in Romans 13 it clearly is a reference to authority. This is not something new. Scholars have pointed that out for centuries.But I had meant it to show that "the sword" is not always a figure of speech as you had claimed but is in fact used mostly in the normal sense - an instrument of death.
Just so you are clear on where I stand, I have repeatedly said that Christians should not support the death penalty. That God has allowed the ungodly to bring death and destruction throughout the world, doesn't mean Christians should join in. We are called to be different. Let the ungodly support the death penalty. Let Christians follow the command of Christ and show mercy with perfect patience.And as such, God approves of the death penalty and in fact He ordained and upholds it.
peace to you