Death Sentence Sins: Biblical Crimes Of Mortal Turpitude

The Bible states that those who commit sins such as murder, kidnapping, child sacrifice, adultery, rape, homosexuality, bestiality, and idolatry should be put to death. While the Bible clearly condones and commands capital punishment for these sins, there are also verses that can be interpreted as opposing the practice. For example, when Cain murdered Abel, God sentenced him to a life of wandering rather than death. Additionally, the prophets in the Bible repeatedly plead with the masses to repent so that God will not destroy them.

Murder

The Bible makes it clear that murder is a direct affront to God because humans are created in His image. This is reflected in the words of Romans 13:9, which sums up the commandments: "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet...You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Murder is also listed as a sin in other parts of the Bible, such as in 1 John 3:15, which states, "Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."

The punishment for premeditated murder was death, as stated in Numbers 35:30-34. This mandate was given to prevent the thwarting of God's plan for humanity to "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth" (Genesis 9:1). Murder was considered a unique crime that deserved the severest of penalties. In the New Testament, Jesus reinforced the Old Testament command against murder, stating that even anger and insults toward a brother or sister would lead to judgment (Matthew 5:21-22).

While the Bible clearly condones capital punishment for murder, there are also verses that can be interpreted as opposing the practice. For example, when Cain murdered Abel, God did not sentence him to death but instead condemned him to a life of wandering as a fugitive (Genesis 4). Additionally, in John 8, Jesus's response to the Pharisees, who wanted to stone a woman caught in adultery, can be seen as a condemnation of capital punishment. Jesus said, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone," emphasizing mercy and forgiveness over strict legalism.

Kidnapping

> Anyone who kidnaps another and either sells him or still has him when he is caught must be put to death.

The death penalty for kidnapping is also mentioned in Deuteronomy 24:7:

> If a man is caught kidnapping one of his brother Israelites and treats him as a slave or sells him, the kidnapper must die. You must purge the evil from among you.

The Bible's commandment of capital punishment for kidnapping is often accompanied by other sins, such as rape or molestation, and the financial gain that can come from ransoming the kidnapped individual. The psychological and physical damage done to kidnapped individuals and the terror inflicted on their families and communities are also reasons why the Bible calls for such harsh punishment.

Today, kidnapping is still a problem, and some argue that it persists because the biblical laws that could help curb it are not being followed. However, it is important to note that while the Bible clearly condones and commands capital punishment, there are also verses that can be interpreted as opposing the practice. For example, in John 8, Jesus seems to condemn the practice when he says, "let he who is without sin throw the first stone."

Witchcraft and divination

The Bible, specifically the Old Testament, mentions various forms of witchcraft and divination, which are forbidden and punishable by death.

Laws prohibiting these practices can be found in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. For example, Exodus 22:18 states, "You shall not tolerate a sorceress." Leviticus 19:26 says, "You shall not practice divination or soothsaying," and Deuteronomy 18:10-11 prohibits consignation of children to the fire, augury, soothsaying, divination, sorcery, casting spells, and consulting ghosts or familiar spirits, or inquiring of the dead.

The Bible also provides instances of the consequences of engaging in witchcraft and divination. In 1 Samuel 28, Saul enlists the Witch of Endor to summon the spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel, who rebukes him for using witchcraft. Saul is later rebuked by God for consulting a medium for guidance instead of seeking divine guidance from God.

The prophetic passage in the Book of Micah states that witchcraft and soothsaying will be eliminated in the Messianic Age (Micah 5:12). This indicates a belief that these practices will no longer be present in a future time of peace and righteousness.

The practice of witchcraft and divination is seen as a form of rebellion against God and is associated with idolatry and the worship of false idols. In the Bible, these practices are attributed to Satan, who uses them to entice people away from God. As such, the Bible often speaks about the negative consequences of following false idols and falsehoods.

The punishment for witchcraft and divination in the Bible is death, specifically stoning, as stated in Leviticus 20:27 and Deuteronomy 18:11. This punishment is to be carried out on both men and women found guilty of these practices.

Adultery

Old Testament

In the Old Testament, the punishment for adultery was death. Leviticus 20:10 states:

> "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife—with the wife of his neighbour—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death."

The punishment was the same for both parties involved. This law was given to ancient Israel under a theocracy, and it was meant to keep Israel completely morally separate from other nations, specifically the Canaanites, who were known for their sexual licentiousness.

New Testament

In the New Testament, Jesus brought a new law, and adultery no longer carries the death penalty. Modern Christians are not living under the old theocracy and are not commanded to harm those who sin. However, the Bible does outline the consequences of adultery, including loss of honour and strength, a ruined reputation, bondage and death, self-destruction, and the vengeance of a jealous husband.

Jesus' Response to Adultery

When the Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus and asked if she should be stoned, Jesus replied, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her" (John 8:7). This response exposed the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who did not truly care about the woman being stoned.

Jesus did not reject capital punishment in all instances but showed grace when it was due. He told the woman to stop committing adultery and forgave her, demonstrating his grace and truth (John 1:14).

Application for Christians

Christians today do not kill people for committing adultery but consider it a sin that is displeasing to God. The Old Testament law serves as instruction on what God finds sinful, and Christians are called to live according to God's standards and avoid adultery.

Homosexuality

> "If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them."

This verse is part of the Holiness Code in Leviticus, which sets out various transgressions and their punishments. The punishment for male homosexual intercourse is death, and this is repeated in other books of the Old Testament, such as Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

The Bible does not prescribe a specific method of execution for this sin, but stoning is mentioned as a common form of capital punishment in the Old Testament. However, it's important to note that the civil laws within the Mosaic Law, which includes the death penalty for homosexuality, were meant for a specific time and place—Israel under a theocracy. The priests taught these laws, the rulers enforced them, and the judges handed down punishments. Ordinary citizens were not given the authority to carry out these sentences.

While the Old Testament prescribes death for male homosexual intercourse, the New Testament does not. For example, in the New Testament, Paul addresses a case of incest in the church of Corinth and requires excommunication rather than execution. Similarly, there were converted homosexuals in the church of Corinth, indicating a shift in punishment from the Old Testament.

Today, many Christians interpret these Old Testament laws differently, understanding that Jesus fulfilled the Law and brought a new covenant. While homosexuality is still considered a sin by many Christians, it is no longer punishable by death according to the Bible.

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