The death penalty Essay

Submitted By bluefang99

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The Death Penalty The death penalty has been a controversial practice for many years. In some states they believe that it is ok to take the life of another human being as punishment for certain crimes. Murderers are usually the ones to receive this consequence, but why do some get away with it, or receive a different punishment? After doing some research, it seems to me that the people who receive the death penalty as a punishment usually are poor and can’t afford the same lawyers of those that are more wealthy than them. In this paper we were required to find other viewpoints than our own, so I chose to use the Bible because in it we can find clear directions when it comes to taking the life of another human being.
In the Easter season, we remember Jesus' crucifixion and death for the sin of the world. Christians declare that Jesus' death brings life, so how can we then demand the death of certain criminals?
The Old Testament says, "You are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth." But developing a biblical understanding of capital punishment isn't as simple as appropriating select verses from the Old Testament. Are we prepared to execute those who curse their parents or worship other gods? These are also capital offenses in the Bible.
In light of the New Testament, we don't follow Old Testament regulations about such things as burnt offerings, building codes, or dietary laws. Jesus addressed "eye for an eye" and said, "Turn the other cheek." He talked about murder but focused on the root issue of anger. And when faced with an actual situation--a woman guilty of adultery--he called for the one without sin to cast the first stone.
A biblical understanding of capital punishment isn't a matter of assembling proof texts; it must be consistent with the gospel: that God redeems the worst people--and even calls them to do great things.
Consider the Apostle Paul. He originally persecuted Christians, overseeing the lynching of a Christian named Stephen. Consider Moses: before leading Israel out of slavery, he murdered an

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