Capital Punishment: A Biblical Perspective

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Capital Punishment: A Biblical Perspective In class two weeks ago, a fellow student requested a show of hands of who supported the death penalty and who opposed. I raised my hand in support based on my personal opinion with little knowledge of biblical information in regard to capital punishment. My goal is to research the bible to have a better understanding of the biblical information supporting or opposing Capital punishment. Mark Jones’s first chapter begins with the story of Cain the murderer. Cain was the first man born to man. Cain’s premeditated murder was of his own brother, Abel. In this situation, God was the judge. God did not have to have the facts proven to him as we do in today’s society because God knew what was in Cain heart. God put a curse on Cain for punishment of this crime. Not only did the Lord spare Cain’s life, he marked Cain to protect him from being killed by others. The story of Cain and Abel is often used as an example, when the subject of capital punishment is being discussed. It is often referred to by those who are against the capital punishment. The punishment God imposed on Cain was not light. The lord took away Cain’s livelihood and exiled him. Genesis 4:12 When you work the ground it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on earth. The Lords final and most harsh form of punishment was that Cain would be hidden from the Lords presence. Mark Jones suggests that murder was Cain’s crime but it was the end result of other sins. J.S. Exell author of Biblical Illustrator suggest that the murder of Abel is a lesson in; the power of envy, the ambition of selfishness, and the quick development of passion. Therefore the lesson I take away from the account of Cain and Abel is not about murder or capital punishment, it is about envy, selfishness and passion. I The sixth Commandment, Exodus
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