Biblical passages which support the idea of retribution are:
God is just god, he punishes sin with death. “I will wipe out these people I have created because I am sorry that I made any of them.”
Humans are created in God’s image, therefore by killing someone you are killing God’s creation and will be killed. “Whoever murders a man will himself be killed by his fellow-man.”
If a human deliberately kills another, God will offer no safety, they will be killed. “He is to be put to death, even if he has run to my altar for safety.”
An example of a Christian who supports the idea of retribution is Janine Coverdale. She was affected by the loss of her two grandsons; she wanted McVeigh executed because she believes he deserves the punishment for the crime of murder.
Another example is the Lutheran church of Austria states that because of the lack of clear biblical evidence. Christians can only contrary to the will of God, “The church should not cease its witness to the sanctity of human life and demand punishment for those who commit murder.”
And lastly, Bob Enyart also supports retribution; he argues that “God has the right to forgive murderers but we don’t because we are not God. God has the authority to forgive some people. He has told us not to forgive a murderer, but to put him to death.”
However some Christians propose that reformation is the appropriate response to people who commit murder. Reformation is to teach the criminal a lesson to never do the crime again. The aim of reformation is changing the criminal for the better.
Biblical passages which support the idea of reformation are:
Jesus forgave the adulterous woman, he is sinless and forgives, we are sinful therefore we must not judge others but forgive. “I do not condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again.”
God is happy when we repent we must welcome those who want to change. “He was lost, but now he has been found.”
God welcomes those who acknowledge their sins. “I promise you that today you will be in paradise with me.”
Jesus teaches that we must take Moses law further, we must not take revenge but think of an alternative punishment. “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”
An example of a Christian who advocates reformation is Bud Weltch who lost his daughter in the Oklahoma bombing. He does not want McVeigh executed because he says god did not create human beings to get a ‘feel good’ from the death of another human being.
Another example is Rev Bernice the king is the daughter of the murdered civil rights leader Martin Luther King. She states that “I well understand the deep hurt and angel felt by the loved ones of those who have been murdered, yet I cannot accept the judgement that their killers need to be executed.”
And lastly, Roger dale was conflicted of nine murders and was executed. He said “you don’t forgive because someone deserves it; you forgive because it’s commanded by God.”
Murder is a very emotional crime it is hard to predict how I would respond.
