CONTROVERSY IX: What about the Sanctity of Human Life? Part Three—Capital Punishment

(This is a new article series that I am "trying out" with my readers. These are intended to be thought-provoking. Please see their Intro Article: Jan. 26, 2008)

The final quandary to discuss is the issue of capital punishment and/or war. If one is to honor life, which is holy, then how can a nation enter into war ethically? Are all people to be pacifists in order to adhere to God’s commandments?

BUT! How can one accept such a lifestyle as ethical when God Himself declared war on the heathen nations against Israel, is deemed a Mighty Warrior, and Who charged His people to administer the death penalty as a consequence for murder and even adultery?

Again, these are very serious issues to ponder in light of the arguments posted in the beginning of this article. How can one reconcile such actions as war and capital punishment when they are attempting to maintain and honor all human life as holy? These issues can only be considered in light of Scripture:

“…(There is) a time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecc. 3:8)

“Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death.” (Ex. 21:12)

Clearly, there is an appointed time for war, as horrific and dreadful as those times may be, where death is an inevitable result of battle. The Lord knows that in war, many will die, and to serve one’s officers, nation, family, etc. one must participate in the killing of other individuals. During these seasons of adversity, though it seems the Sixth Commandment is violated, God’s grace allows such times to occur without finding fault.

In regards to capital punishment, again, the sanctity of human life is in question; should one’s life be ended in light of the sixth commandment? God’s answer is “yes.” That, which has been extinguished must be repaid in just measure, “a life for a life” (ref. Deut. 19:21). However, even this consequence must be taken in deep consideration of the Spirit’s leading. Consider David and Saul; David had every right to kill his adversary, who was seeking to destroy him. However, David felt the conviction of the Lord in this regard:

“‘Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless?” (1 Sam. 26:9)

Even in this time of war, David had to follow the leadings of the Spirit to know when to destroy and when to administer mercy:

“‘“I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’” (Matt. 9:13)

Understanding such times is only found in seeking God’s wisdom, for man cannot know the ways or thoughts of the Lord nor understand who deserves life and who deserves death (ref. Isa. 55:8). Only God, Who sees the hearts of man (ref. Lk. 16:15) can dictate the just punishment for each individual:

“‘(I) will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.’” (Ex. 33:19)

Upon searching Scripture in depth and in its entirety, one can glean a fuller understanding of how God, the Just One, views the sanctity of human life and how He would desire it to be revered. Life is holy to Him, regardless of the circumstances surrounding its conception. Moreover, the length and quality of life lies under His sovereignty and His responsibility to bring through to fruition; man is not responsible for the ending of an aging life. In addition, there are times for war and peace, in which man must take the lives of others. Finally, the sanctity of human life requires the administration of just recompense for the life that was unjustly taken. However, such administration must be laid before the throne of God’s grace to determine the timing and instigation of such punishment.

If the Church and this nation could review God’s establishment of justice in regards to the sanctity of human life, there would be little division over the plethora of matters surrounding such issues. Many would see how one’s natural rights of privacy and pursuit of happiness do not override the inviolability of man’s rights to life as ordained by God. Such a conclusion, however, is only reaped when one takes the Scriptures as a whole, and reveres them as the very life he breaths. Without the foundation of the Word, the ethical issues concerning life remain complex, inundated in endless debate, and unresolved. The answers are within the Book, if man will simply take the time to search it.

This concludes my “dissertation” about the sanctity of human life…I hope you enjoyed it, and I hope it gave you some topics to think about and discuss…