Abortion and Capital Punishment... What's the Difference?

Yeah, I know... it's been awhile. Two things I've learned creating this blog: One, this takes a lot of time. Two, I really don't have a lot to say! So, recently a friend encouraged me to use the blog to tackle issues and questions that come up in OD's. And I thought, "Now, there's a good idea." So for all of you OD leaders and helpers and for all of you people hanging out at UNCC in an OD, this is for you. Every week I'll tackle some issue or question that's come up and hopefully point you in the right direction.

(If you don't know what an OD is - find out here - www.mission28.com)

So what's the difference between abortion and capital punishment? Aren't they both death by murder? Therefore, aren't they both wrong? Well... Biblically, no.

Abortion is unequivocally wrong. Among the list of things that God hates in Proverbs 6 are 'hands that shed innocent blood'. Unlike any other living thing, human life is made in the image of God. God is ultimately the author of human life (Acts 17:25). God is ultimately the fashioner of human life in the womb. Therefore human life is more than just biology and it's clear that all human life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13-16). Moreover, God has clearly stated - 'thou shalt not murder' (Gen 9:6; Exo 20:13; Prov 24:11). Abortion is murder of the unborn and is, therefore, unequivocally morally wrong under any circumstance.

(I'll keep my comments on abortion limited to that. For more, you can listen to a recent message given on the topic at CrossWay Community Church entitled 'Defend the Weak' - www.crosswaync.org/sermons.html or you can check out www.desiringgod.org and do a search for an article entitled "Ten Reasons Why It Is Wrong to Take the Life of Unborn Children".)

So then, what's the difference between abortion and capital punishment? How is the death penalty any different? That's where the questions seemed to come up in OD. So, let's look at 2 important texts that will help shed light on this.

The first is Romans 13:1-7 - "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's serant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities not only because of possible punishment, but also because of conscience."

Along the same lines, 1Peter 2:13-14 weighs in by saying - "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and commend those who do right."

Ok, a couple important themes emerge here. One is that the governing authorities have been clearly established by God. As such, God has delegated the governing authorities with the responsibility of maintaing and administering justice. They are to do good to those who do what is right. And they are to punish those who do wrong. To neglect either of these responsibilities would be a failure to maintain justice and would violate the very purpose for which God has established them.

As it relates to the 'wrongdoer', the governing authorities have the authority as 'God's servants' and as 'an agent of wrath' to make judgments and execute justice by bringing 'punishment on the wrongdoer'. After all, the governing authorities don't 'bear the sword for nothing' - a metaphor for their authority to execute justice against those who do wrong.

Capital punishment (or the death penalty) has to do with justice. It is punishment for a crime. It is the responsibility of the governing authorities to maintain and execute justice by punishing those who do wrong. That authority has been given to them by God. There are places in Scripture where God clearly permits that that justice and punishment be carried out in the form of execution (e.g. Exodus 21:12 - capital punishment for the crime of murder. The governing authorities of Israel had the prerogative and authorityto execute that kind of justice for that kind of crime). In such a case, the issue is one of justice not murder.

ln conclusion: Abortion is an issue of unparalleled injustice. Unborn children have commited no crime - and in that sense they are innocent. They are the essence of the weak and needy that the governing authorities have the responsibility to defend and protect (Psalm 82:3-4). They're death is not the execution of justice - it is murder.

Capital punishment is an issue of the execution of justice - which the governing authorities have the prerogative and authority to carry out as established by God. They're death is not murder - it is justice. Of course, what constitutes a 'crime' and what constitutes 'justice' is always defined by God. Therefore, any governing authority that strays from what God has defined as 'crime', 'punishment' and 'justice' is to be condemned itself - it's an authority that has abused the purpose for which God has established it and has itself become corrupt.

So... I hope that keeps the conversation rolling.

For those of you who brought up the issue of war - I'll simply point you in the right direction - www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/QuestionsAndAnswers/ByTitle/1450_Did_Jesus_Teach_Pacifism/