Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: gerard mangiardi who wrote (365200)	3/2/2003 2:43:58 PM
From: Johannes Pilch	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 769670

A good example of my question. doesn't this make some Christians at odds with those teachings when they eagerly execute criminals. I don't know of any Christians who are eagerly executing anyone. We have a natural inclination and right to protect ourselves against destruction, a right that is by no means denied us by the law of non-retaliation. But when Christians speak in favor of capital punishment they speak in favor of the state's right to punish criminals, this, in order to mete out justice and preserve civil order. The Christian in this case does not punish in revenge. Indeed he does not punish at all. He simply supports the state's right to use the sword against lawbreakers. After all, Christians understand that it is God Himself who gives the state this right. God uses civil authorities, whether those authorities are Christian or not, to punish those who destroy civil order. Roman 13:1 "Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil [behavior]. Do you want to have no fear of authority? [Well then] Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4. for [the government] is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil." (NASB) *** The government, not individual Christians, certainly does have the right to use the sword against evil doers. The Scriptures are crystal clear that God can and does use civil authority to avenge and bring wrath upon evil doers. When Christians support this right of government, they do nothing unChristian at all. Indeed, we see clearly that this is precisely the Biblical view.