Pastor Eric Zacharias, Zion Lutheran Church - Cologne  June 11, 2001

History was made on Monday, June 11, 2001 as Timothy McVeigh was  put to death by lethal injection; it is history, for it has been decades since the nation has executed a citizen for a civil crime. McVeigh's execution brings the question of capital punishment to the public square for debate once again.  Is it cruel and unusual punishment? Is it right for the nation to exterminate a human life? People feel strongly on this issue and have voiced their opinion on this matter.

It has to be confusing to hear members of the "religious community" voicing opposite opinions, especially for those representing the Christian church. This gives the appearance that the Bible is duplicitous and either does not have an opinion or allows for two views. This is not the case.

From the Old Testament to the New Testament, the Word of God makes it clear that the government has a right to end the life of those who endanger or take the lives of others.  In the Old Testament (the Torah) the penalty for death not only included murderers but rapists and those who blasphemed the Lord-in word or in deed; and while the latter seems to be too harsh, remember that blasphemy or any false teaching endangers the eternal salvation of those who might be led astray, especially for those who were called "the children of God."

In a large part, Judaism today does not condone capital punishment, but it does concede that there is little Biblical justification for such a stance. The Biblical commandment, "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13) seems to suggest that the Bible forbids capital punishment; but as Dr. Dale Meyer points out, "In 1981 a biblical commentary from the 'Union of American Hebrew Congregations' said, 'The claims of pacifists, who would see this command as a prohibition of all killing including that legitimized by the state during warfare, cannot be sustained. The same is true for the abolition of capital punishment. Laudable as these objectives are, they find no warranty in the text itself.' 

 Some people think that as we move from the Old Testament to the New, we have a change of heart and view. Many are eager to portray Jesus as a pacifist who condemned violence of any kind. A closer look shows no such condemnation. Jesus spoke of turning away from sin and evil, repenting and changing one's life. Jesus himself was patient and kind, but he was also the one who overturned the table of the money-changers in the temple. Jesus was all about justice being preserved, and that would include the right for Israel as a state or Rome as a nation to endorse even his own execution. The Bible reveals that Jesus was judged unfairly and condemned unjustly; but nowhere does it decry the punishment given.  In fact, that punishment provided the foundation for the Christian faith. Although Jesus' death was a demonstration of injustice, it underlines the will of God that the "spotless Lamb of God" die for the sins of all people. 

In that light, we recall that Jesus rebuked Peter for drawing his sword, and reminded him that "Those who take the sword will die by the sword." For some, this is proof  that Jesus abhorred the use of violence.  However, we find Jesus simply saying the obvious-human will and human justice is nothing against God's will and justice. After this statement, Jesus stated that he had the power to call down the powers of heaven to stop this-he simply chose not to do this but to go forward with the suffering and death on the cross.

Christians can stand opposed to capital punishment if it is their preference; but they must not bring the Bible in as their witness, for it does not sustain that opinion.  In this regard the Apostle Paul insisted that the Christian live within and alongside the government that God has established. He wrote, "Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 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. 4 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 servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience" (Romans 13:2-5).

It is not wrong for a Christian to state his or her opinion or to work within society for the betterment of that society, but the Christian muddies the waters when trying to use Scripture as leverage, especially when Scripture is taken out of context or obscured. At any rate, Scripture does not matter to those who do not respect its authority.

As it is, the execution of Timothy McVeigh was completed in Terre Haute, Indiana at the order of the United States of America.  In this regard, the government has made a statement that it will not tolerate nor leave unresolved the slaughter of 168 people (including 19 children) in the 1995 bombing of the federal government office building in Oklahoma City. By virtue of its authority, the nation has done what it thought reasonable and just.  

Finally, the Christian must realize and give thanks that our government is orderly and respectful of the law and its citizens. As Timothy McVeigh stepped forward to his judgment chamber he was fearful of neither God nor man; in fact, his attitude was repeatedly described as arrogant and proud. McVeigh's statement released to the press ended with the final words of the famous poem "Invictus" which reads, "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." At best this poem has long been the fighting song of the independent, human life, but at worst "Invictus" is the creed for those who believe that neither life nor law is significant. Were that to be the theme of the common man, we would be a nation unto ourselves, which would be the end of government as we know it--of freedom, right, and privilege, and the blessings that come from God's hand.