Should the death penalty be considered morally justifiable in cases of extreme crimes?

[CrossWalk]

the death penalty is not something that stops people from committing crimes

Actually it does. One of the biggest problems we are having in America right now is violent offenders being released to commit the exact same crimes they committed previously, and, for many, crimes they commit repeatedly. The death penalty stops this when handled properly.

as far as I can tell never has [stopped crimes].

Just looking at the history of the death penalty in centuries past, the crime rate was much lower and people were judged and executed swiftly for inexcusable crimes. It would help society more than words can express today if our system returned to that. Most cases languish in the courts for years before anything is done and then they are often under-punished in our current system. That's why repeat-offenders are epidemic today.

I do think that it is morally justified in some cases. But, that is not for an individual to decide if that is warranted, but a jury to decide.

If we used proper vetting methods for choosing our judges (clearly we are not doing that anymore), a judge would be able to make solid decisions about punishments that are best for all of society. That isn't possible today because judges are incompetent and are also guilty of conflicts of interest when they get money for sending people to specific prisons or punishment facilities, etc. Corruption abounds in our current society at every level.

Some people just deserve to die for their crimes.

100% And they should do so immediately, not after years of either being fed and housed by the taxpayers or running free and committing the same crimes until their court date arrives. Contrary to popular 'incorrect' opinion, God actually expects His faithful ones to be capable of making the judgment of whether someone should live or die. The Bible uses the terminology of "doing judgment and justice" in these matters.

Some believe the Old Testament is not for us today, but that is absolute nonsense. Most have heard of the commandments in the OT to stone an evil child. Why would God command such a thing? Because God is wise enough to know not only what that child will grow up and do to a society, but also that genetics do carry behavior and tendency patterns. Thus, it is all about ridding society of evil now and in the time to come.

God bless.

 

[fuddy]

Now I know what to do when my kid steps out of line...

 

[Gordon Zhao]

Currently based on my findings, 23 states including Washington D.C have abolished the death penalty entirely from being issued. Unfortunately, this doesn't stop such crimes capable attracting the death penalty being committed by people in the United States and other parts of the world.

Are you for the abolishment of the death penalty or should the death penalty be considered morally justifiable in cases of extreme crimes?

Death penalty is a type of killing, which should be considered against Christian morality of pacifism and forgiveness.

 

[Frankj]

Death penalty is a type of killing, which should be considered against Christian morality of pacifism and forgiveness.

The biblical injunction is against murder, not killing those who have violated the laws God presented as requiring the death penalty.

Still, it is a heavy burden to decide and what actually merits it and what does not, particularly in a secular justice system.

When Jesus told us to love God above all and love our neighbors as ourselves he placed a heavy responsibility on us as Christians today. when you speak of pacificism are you referring to avoiding conflict when possible or surrender to evil? Think about it.

But about forgiveness: When Jesus forgave the adulteress who was about to be stoned to death for her sin, did he give her a lesser penalty or tell her to go forth and quit sinning? Actual forgiveness mean that you will no longer hold the crime against them, that it is forgotten and the accused is free to go without penalty.

So when we 'forgive' the murderer by removing the death penalty is this what we are doing? Forgiveness is not simply changing the penalty for a crime from one form to another, it is dismissing penalty for the crime entirely and, so to speak, wiping the books clean.

How often do we, as Christians, actually do this when we 'forgive'?

 

[Gordon Zhao]

The biblical injunction is against murder, not killing those who have violated the laws God presented as requiring the death penalty.

Still, it is a heavy burden to decide and what actually merits it and what does not, particularly in a secular justice system.

When Jesus told us to love God above all and love our neighbors as ourselves he placed a heavy responsibility on us as Christians today. when you speak of pacificism are you referring to avoiding conflict when possible or surrender to evil? Think about it.

But about forgiveness: When Jesus forgave the adulteress who was about to be stoned to death for her sin, did he give her a lesser penalty or tell her to go forth and quit sinning? Actual forgiveness mean that you will no longer hold the crime against them, that it is forgotten and the accused is free to go without penalty.

So when we 'forgive' the murderer by removing the death penalty is this what we are doing? Forgiveness is not simply changing the penalty for a crime from one form to another, it is dismissing penalty for the crime entirely and, so to speak, wiping the books clean.

How often do we, as Christians, actually do this when we 'forgive'?

If the God wants to kill somebody, He will do it by himself, like punishing the Egyptians in the Red Sea. However, humans are not granted this power.

 

[Frankj]

If the God wants to kill somebody, He will do it by himself, like punishing the Egyptians in the Red Sea. However, humans are not granted this power.

Christians generally refer to God as God, not "the God", is there a reason you use that term?

As far as not being granted the power to kill, I think you may be in serious scriptural error, a reading of Geneses Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy might be of value.

Christianity is failing in today's world because it has chosen to make up an imaginary version of God and put that version in place of the Real God as revealed in the Bible.

But that is how it is prophesied for the end times, a period which I fully suspect is upon us.

May your day go well and bring you peace.

 

[CrossWalk]

Now I know what to do when my kid steps out of line...

God's words, not mine.

And when that command and event was taking place, Israel was much earlier on in their long-term intermingling, and genetic-muddying, with the surrounding nations. It was God's way of weeding out the impure individuals.

 

[Gordon Zhao]

Christians generally refer to God as God, not "the God", is there a reason you use that term?

As far as not being granted the power to kill, I think you may be in serious scriptural error, a reading of Geneses Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy might be of value.

Christianity is failing in today's world because it has chosen to make up an imaginary version of God and put that version in place of the Real God as revealed in the Bible.

But that is how it is prophesied for the end times, a period which I fully suspect is upon us.

May your day go well and bring you peace.

Thank you, I’m sorry for my false wording.

 

[The Jason]

Massive guilt with murder, so it seems like murderers would want and welcome their own death.

 

[FredVB]

I can't help but think of the very frequent circumstance of mistaken identity. I wonder if cases will be strong enough to justifiably convict with a death penalty. God of course is right to decide when it is time for anyone to die. In this fallen world there is necessarily death, we ourselves should not be promoting it, we do not have to do that.

 

[FredVB]

My view of God has grown, or it has changed, anyway. God is Creator of everything of the universe with being the necessary existence on which everything else is contingent. God made the universe just right for some worlds to have life, with parameters a little different among the physical constants that would not be possible. God cares for all life, throughout all the universe, wherever it is, God cares for every life here, in our world. There is basis to say God is love, the love of God is not limited, nothing of God is limited, being necessary existence, there would not be limitation as any would be arbitrary, which would not be from necessary existence.

So God said to not kill. But people changed things so this world is worse. That is our fault, but we are here to make things better where we can. Those that might be killed for whatever they did might be in limited ways given more chance instead, not meaning in any case they should be freed.

 

[jswauto]

✦ PERSONAL FORGIVENESS — NATIONAL JUSTICE ✦​

This is one of the most misunderstood but absolutely central biblical distinctions:

Personal forgiveness is required of every Christian. National justice is required of every nation.

The Bible never confuses these two. Jesus never confuses these two. Paul never confuses these two. The prophets never confuse these two.
And when Christians do confuse them, nations collapse.
Let’s walk through this clearly, deeply, and biblically — because Scripture speaks with astonishing clarity on the difference between:

• the forgiveness required of a Christian, and
• the justice required of a Christian nation.

✦ 1. PERSONAL FORGIVENESS — REQUIRED OF EVERY BELIEVER ✦​

This is the heart of the gospel.​

Jesus commands:

• “Forgive seventy times seven.”
• “Bless those who curse you.”
• “Love your enemies.”
• “Do good to those who hate you.”
• “If you do not forgive, you will not be forgiven.”

This is personal.
This is relational.
This is heart-level obedience.
This is the Christian life.
Forgiveness is:

• a spiritual posture
• a heart condition
• a refusal to hold bitterness
• a refusal to seek personal vengeance
• a willingness to release personal offense

Forgiveness is not:

• ignoring evil
• excusing crime
• abolishing justice
• removing consequences
• dismantling law
• tolerating wickedness

Forgiveness is personal. Justice is national.
The Bible never merges them.

✦ 2. NATIONAL JUSTICE — REQUIRED OF EVERY NATION ✦​

This is the foundation of societal survival.​

A nation is commanded to:

• punish evil
• restrain wickedness
• protect the innocent
• uphold righteousness
• enforce justice
• confront violence
• remove corruption
• stop bloodshed

This is why Paul says:

“The governing authority does not bear the sword in vain.” (Romans 13:4)

The “sword” is not symbolic. It is the power of justice, including capital punishment.
A nation that refuses justice:

• empowers criminals
• emboldens evil
• spreads violence
• corrupts courts
• destroys innocence
• invites judgment

This is why God warns:

“The land will vomit you out.” (Leviticus 18:25–28)

Not because people failed to forgive — but because the nation failed to punish evil.

✦ 3.WHY THE BIBLE SEPARATES PERSONAL FORGIVENESS FROM NATIONAL JUSTICE ✦​

A Christian must forgive.​

Because forgiveness heals the heart.

A nation must punish evil.​

Because justice protects the people.
If a nation tries to operate on personal forgiveness instead of national justice, it collapses.
Why?
Because:

• criminals do not repent when forgiven
• murderers do not stop when excused
• evil does not shrink when tolerated
• violence does not fade when ignored
• corruption does not disappear when overlooked

Forgiveness transforms hearts. Justice restrains evil.
A nation cannot survive on forgiveness alone. A Christian cannot survive without forgiveness.
This is why God gave:

• the Sermon on the Mount to individuals
• Romans 13 to governments
• Leviticus 18–20 to nations
• the prophets to warn societies
• the gospel to save souls

Different instructions for different roles.

✦ 4. WHEN A NATION REFUSES JUSTICE — EVIL SPREADS ✦​

This is where this thread's question hits the bullseye.
The Bible says:

“When the sentence for a crime is not carried out quickly, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong.” (Ecclesiastes 8:11)

This is spiritual mechanics:

• Unpunished evil → emboldened evil
• Emboldened evil → multiplied evil
• Multiplied evil → societal collapse

This is why God warns:

“Bloodshed follows bloodshed.” (Hosea 4:2)

“Violence fills the land.” (Ezekiel 7:23)

“They shed innocent blood… and the land was polluted.” (Psalm 106:38)

And finally:

“The land will vomit you out.” (Leviticus 18:25–28)

This is not metaphor. This is national judgment.
A nation that refuses justice becomes:

• spiritually toxic
• morally unstable
• socially chaotic
• economically fragile
• politically corrupt
• culturally violent

And eventually, it collapses.
Not because Christians failed to forgive — but because the nation failed to punish evil.

✦ 5. THE BALANCE — FORGIVENESS FOR PEOPLE, JUSTICE FOR NATIONS ✦​

Christians forgive.​

Because forgiveness heals the heart.

Nations punish evil.​

Because justice protects the innocent.

Christians show mercy.​

Because mercy reflects Christ.

Nations enforce righteousness.​

Because righteousness exalts a nation.

Christians release bitterness.​

Because bitterness destroys the soul.

Nations restrain wickedness.​

Because wickedness destroys society.
This is the biblical balance.
This is the gospel balance.
This is the covenant balance.
This is the only balance that preserves:

• hearts
• families
• communities
• nations
• civilization

✦ 6. FINAL SUMMARY — THE BIBLE’S ANSWER ✦​

1. Christians must forgive.​

This is personal obedience.

2. Nations must punish evil.​

This is national survival.

3. Forgiveness does not replace justice.​

It replaces bitterness.

4. Justice does not replace forgiveness.​

It replaces lawlessness.

5. When nations refuse justice, evil spreads.​

This is spiritual mechanics.

6. When evil spreads, the land “vomits out” its inhabitants.​

This is divine judgment.

7. A Christian nation must forgive personally and judge nationally.​

This is biblical balance.
As followers of Christ, we are commanded to forgive freely, release bitterness, bless our enemies, and refuse personal vengeance, because forgiveness heals the heart and reflects the mercy we ourselves received. But when Scripture speaks of nations, the tone changes entirely. A Christian’s personal calling is mercy; a Christian nation’s calling is justice. God warns repeatedly that when a society refuses to confront wickedness, when crimes go unanswered, when violence is tolerated, and when evil is allowed to spread unchecked, the land itself becomes polluted. Innocent blood cries out. Corruption multiplies. Fear replaces peace. And eventually, as God told Israel, “the land will vomit you out.” Personal forgiveness restores relationships, but national justice preserves civilization. One heals the soul; the other restrains evil. A nation that tries to survive on forgiveness alone collapses under the weight of unpunished wickedness, but a nation that upholds justice while its people walk in mercy becomes a place where righteousness can flourish and God’s blessing can rest.