Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. Dr. Feser in reply has a great deal to say about this, and I do admire his great zeal: In particular, Fastiggi citesan exhortationin which Benedict stated: God wants life, not death. Catholic doctrine However, she proves . Then God repeats it a third time for even greater emphasis that He will seek out and avenge murder from all mankind and from every individual man [responsible].. Or is he the exception to the rule because he took the untouchable life of another human being? In a sinful society, While various methods of death were used, the sword, mentioned in Romans 13:4, stood for the power of life or death. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! The first was murder. My own thoughts can be. For another thing, it is quite ridiculous on its face to suggest that Genesis 9:6 teaches that Godforbidsthe killing of even those who commit murder. This passage hasfor millenniaconsistently been understood by Catholic and Jewish exegetes to beapproving ofcapital punishment. He forbids all killing, even of those who kill. This is talking about what God forbids, and is as straightforward as it can be. The Ostrich The ostrich, for example, is the largest and heaviest living bird on the planet, standing 7-9 feet (2.1-2.75 m) tall and weighing 220-287 . As Joe Bessette and I note in our book, Cardinal Ratzinger (who went on to become Pope Benedict XVI). Since God values human life, He ordained it to be protected through capital punishment (9:5-6). . He said in substance, "You are permitted now to establish government, and the highest power that a government has is capital . A man that killed another man was to be put to death by a relative of the deceased, called the "revenger of blood," Num. Some of the laws of the Old Testament, particularly in the Mosaic covenant, were temporary, meant for Israel and its particular circumstances. That does makesomedifference, dont you agree? Why does murder deserve capital punishment? Therefore, so he reasoned, the quote can be dismissed, and we cant know the popes exact meaning anyway. Such societies reflect a virtuous people. The Institution of Capital Punishment. Then God gives a command to Noah not given to Adam: a prohibition against murder. Answer (1 of 12): Thank you for the interpretative question on Genesis 4-11, "Is Genesis 4-11 the argument for or against capital punishment?" As one reads Genesis 4-11, the concept of "capital punishment" assumes a social order with a judge or ruler determining the guilt or innocence of a perso. . Less than $5/mo! I did reply, however, to the same person as follows: Him: You say that you, and Dr Fastiggi (contra to his public remarks), do not believe that capital punishment is malum in se. . Likewise, apologists like myself and Catholic theologians and historians have defended Pope Honorius against supposedly having infallibly promulgated heresy, by noting that the material in question was also of the nature of private correspondence. Likewise,Glen H. Stassen and David P. Gushee (Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Context, Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2003) observe: Both Westermann in his commentary on Genesis and Hagner in his commentary on Matthew see Jesus as interpreting the meaning of Genesis 9:6 in Matthew 26:52. So Im not clear exactly why you think it is Fastiggi, and not me, who is correct in the dispute between us. In John 8:7 Jesus replied to the question of capital punishment because of adultery to let him who is without sin cast the first stone - and no one did. 3 bawa't If any one slays Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who came upon him should kill him. Punishment Death penalty Mosaic law For murder. God wants life, not death. Several of the pro-death penalty folks seem unable to grasp these basic distinctions of category. Punishment is held to have a variety of ends that may conveniently be reduced to the following four: rehabilitation, defense against the criminal, deterrence, and retribution. Please refresh the page and try again. including capital punishment, that are still authoritative. But Fastiggi seems to have been arguing at CWR that the Church couldteach this. Me: Thats correct. Noah became another Adam, but with differences. . If thats the picture of how divine government operates, surely human government should think twice before it actually employs the power placed in its hands in Genesis 9:6. This same covenant reconstituted human government and established safeguards against the prevailing human violence which precipitated Gods judgment. I think hes trying to (re-)interpret scripture, and to minimize patristic and papal statements that are problematic for the always and intrinsically wrong position, so as to open a door for such a radical change, in case Pope Francis or some other pope ever wants to go there. Perhaps, they can rejoice over the voluntary death of the elderly to prevent them from over-consuming medical resources at All rights reserved. . Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Apparently Gods government is a great deal more gracious than humans governments are. he will surely be avenged6 (Exodus 21:20). These laws include the dietary laws and worship laws. And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him; Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again. As I prepared for this reply today I quickly realized that these are very deep waters, and that I could not possibly commit to a full debate on the subject in all its aspects, as discussed at the greatest length by Dr. Feser and his opponents. . This document was about The Church in the Middle East and has obvious connections with violence and death. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), PNG police shoot four protesting university students dead in Port Moresby, Parliament told, Executing Grace: How the Death Penalty Killed Jesus and Why Its Killing Us, fifty years since the death penalty has been used in Australia, Pope Francis changes teachings to oppose death penalty in all cases, Five inspirational angles on Christmas (Matthew2), Does the universe repay us as we deserve? God created man uniquely by breathing the breath of life directly into Adam and by making Adam and all mankind We had a very minor dispute about how many (and which) links of his I provided in my paper. Any other punishment degrades the life of the victim. Genesis 9:6 (NIV) Prof. Feser seems to believe that if the Church accepts even the most remote possibility of the use of the death penalty, then any teaching against its use is only prudential. This is not true at all. In my exchanges with him, Ive always emphasized the, You are correct that I do not believe Pope Francis has explicitly taught that capital punishment is always and intrinsically wrong. As the reader can easily verify by following the link above, the context in which he made the remark in question was a discussion of the idea of religious toleration. Nothing, not even the altar, could protect the murderer (Exodus 21:14). Why did God mandate capital punishment for murder (Genesis 9:6)? If you are wise, you will be very careful how you stand against the power of earthly governments. . And I gather that you would be less comfortable with such an extreme view. A few comments: First, if you want to take Fastiggis side in his dispute with me, thats fine, but before doing so you ought to be clear on what we are actually disagreeing about. What Fastiggi and I have been debating at Catholic World Report is, specifically, whether the Church could in the future teach that capital punishment is always and intrinsicallyimmoral. The Scriptures view murder as such a contemptible 11 Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. As the post-Flood world begins, God blesses and commands Noah and his sons. Their reason is clear: we live under the New Testament, not the Old Testament. That wouldnt be a contradiction, because neither is required and binding now. The dreaded all-or-nothing argument always lurks behind the next corner. Whether this divine sanction was for all time and places is a matter of biblical interpretation for today. ), . All Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, attests to the abiding authority of Genesis 9:6. why not follow it everywhere elsebuild a rail on top of your roof (Deuteronomy 22:8), do not mix seeds in your garden (Leviticus 19:19), and execute blasphemers the Mosaic Covenant, and abide after the Mosaic Covenant into the New Covenant until the end of time. justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds (Luke 23:41). That was precisely the time that ISIS was running rampant and slaughtering Christians. God did not restrict these ordinances to Israel or to other nations. Fear of the State and its power to execute equal, proportional justice is necessary in a fallen world. Is capital punishment for today? Persecution in the region is referred to three times. Jesus also demonstrated grace when capital punishment was due ( John 8:1-11 ). He states "This paper will present basic biblical evidence to demonstrate that civil government is presently obligated by God to function for him as an agent of divine retribution. Not that it mustbe done (pace the strawman of Hart). I didnt answer that particular one (too long and involved). I think, though, its acceptable for Catholics to argue that position. Either one can be held. Thus murder shows contempt for God as well as for one's fellow man. Any individual or It has not ceased to be Gods Word (2 Timothy 3:1617). It St. John Paul II (EV, 56) and the CCC, 2267 lay out these principles. I also argue that recent papal teachings of the death penalty merit religious assent on the part of the faithful even though they have not been set forth as definitive or infallible. It says, "Whoever sheds man's blood by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God, He made man." The Mosaic Law set forth numerous offenses that were punishable by death. How a society views Genesis 9:6, in its sanctifying Such constraint, which can take multiple and insidious forms on the personal and social, cultural, administrative and political levels, is contrary to Gods will. Life is a direct from God (2:7-9), was divinely imparted (2:7), and divinely maintained (2:9 . This teaching cannot change.. Genesis 9:6 says, for example, "He who sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for God created man in his own image.". New International Version (NIV) Bible Book List Font Size Genesis 9:6 New International Version 6 "Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind. Its not a passing statement at all. It was given to all mankind after the Flood, as marriage was given to all mankind after creation. As long as there are rainbows in the sky, the Noahic Covenant is still in effect (Genesis 9:14-17). Please follow the instructions we emailed you in order to finish subscribing. Without these, human life is cheapened, society becomes dangerous, and civilization regresses. Answer: Some duties are thrust upon society, not because they are pleasant, but because they are necessary. To my knowledge, Bob has not said otherwise. And he notes that There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty . Gen1:27). If he has claimed to you that his position is that Feser and Bessette are correct on the first but not the second, then he needs to state that publicly. Doesthis preclude the death penalty? In re-establishing his kingdom after the flood, the divine sovereign made some concessions designed to head off the anarchic violence that wrecked the previous world: . Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood Hence it appears that whoever kills a man, unless unwittingly, as the Scripture expresses it, shall forfeit his own life. True, New Testament believers do not live under the Old Testament economy, but that does not render the Old Testament obsoleteor ., the sanction in Genesis 9:6 of the death penalty for murder, which is presented as having application to the human race in general . 21:28. gotquestions.org. . . 65 a. . Verse Genesis 9:6. Is Capital Punishment for Today? After the flood, capital punishment was established by God as the penalty for murder. Privacy Policy and . . . Genesis 9:6 sanctifies human life and dignifies every human being. Genesis 9:5 - 6. by Brandon Smith | March 10, 2021. https . Paul instituted Christian belief from the Old Testament (Romans 4), he established Christian morals from the Old Testament (Romans 13:810), and he found Christian admonishments and is not the equivalent of the apodictic law as such . . sanctions the execution of murderers precisely in the name of the victims dignity as a creature made in Gods image (p. 10; italics in original, as throughout this paragraph). But God didn't call capital punishment murder; He didn't call it obscene; He didn't call it uncivilized. He says it wasnt on this topic. There is a need for guiding principles. To appeal to the authority of past popes is insufficient. They keep saying you believe capital punishment is intrinsically evil (one guy today charged you with public equivocation on that score), and I keep saying that neither you nor I believe that; nor do we believe it will likely be promulgated as such. I added further ones at his request. Genesis 9: 6 says "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image." (English Standard Version). Did he terminate Cains life? Try downloading another browser like Chrome or Firefox. Second, it is in any event highly misleading to imply, as Fastiggi does, that Benedict was cit[ing] Genesis 9:6 as evidence that Godforbidsthe killing of even those who commit murder. For one thing, the pope does not pinpoint Genesis 9:6 specifically and then make an explicit comment about how to interpret it. Genesis. On the other hand, strong approval for capital punishment among conservative religious voters is a significant factor in explaining why the United States stands alone among Western democracies in retaining its use. Capital Punishment. III, Edizioni Paoline, Alta, 1979, pp. sacred and protect life are safe and dynamic. If Fastiggi has said in the private conversations you seem to have had with him that he does not think that capital punishment is always and intrinsically wrong, then I am glad to hear that. He sees the clearest parallel in Mt 26:52: . Man changedfor the worsewhen he disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit. Gen4:15-16; 9:5-6;Ex20:13). Its quite in context with the entire document, and especially the paragraph leading up to it. This line of thought is one possible and plausible way to look at Genesis 9:6 (as held by many respectable exegetes); thats all Im saying. The compatibility of Genesis 9:6 and Exodus 20:13 is always found in the context of verses that seem to suggest they are incompatible. . Psalm 9:12, David refers to God as the One who seeks out [and avenges] murder, like a title given to ESV Text Edition: 2016. Genesis 9:6. In an address to Cardinals, published on 8 April 1991, Cardinal Ratzinger stated: 1. I think he should frankly come out and take a clear stand on that, and then we could have a more fruitful exchange. Thus the phrase "for God made man in his own image" is a statement about the executioner's authority, not about the victim's value. One of the stipulations of the Noahic Covenant was capital punishment. Humans are not omniscient, so our murder investigations are partial and incomplete. The explanation of the death penalty, 9:6b Note that the life of man is to be protected, whether from animals (9:5a) or other men (9:5b). For example, individuals guilty of manslaughter or accidentally causing another's death were exempted from the death penalty. Capital punishment is a severe penalty and as such teaches that taking another life in premeditative murder upholds the dignity of taking a life in the first place ( Gen. 9:6 ). He forbids all killing, even of those who kill (cf. . Miscarriages of justice do not warrant abandoning the pursuit of justice. Gods commandment required the death penalty because in the image of God He made man (Genesis 9:6). But if one is eventually proclaimed as infallible and binding, then the other could not be held by a Catholic. Ginno Concetti OFM argued for that position in an article published in the Jan. 23, 1977 issue of, I think Pope Francis is invoking strong Christian principles against the use of the death penalty today. In general, it is argued that the presence of sinful hearts made capital punishment necessary. Get answers to be the influence our kids need and give today. And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. Taking animal or vegetable life is in no way comparable to taking human life, for though all creation is His handiwork, only man was created in Gods image (Genesis 1:26-27). (Genesis 9:6). The Old Testament, therefore, is obsoleteor nearly so. PNG police shoot four protesting university students dead in Port Moresby, Parliament told. And perhaps that gives us the right balance: We are called to live peacefully in our earthly nation, but the goal of our life is to represent the graceful governance of our heavenly king. But they are talking about the Mosaic Law given to Israel. When passages from the Old Testament are used to justify or condemn a modern practice, many respond with the all-or-nothing argument, Well, if you are going to follow the Old Testament on that issue, . Help us share the truth of Gods Word and the gospel! The death penalty was imposed as a measure of protection for organized society, but purely social considerations fail to give sufficient warrant for the severe punishment. . I dont have unlimited time, but I love to debate, so I am not the person to go after regarding a supposed fear on my part to do so, or to chide for not reading your side, etc. I wrote and asked him about this very question, so well see what he says. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Because of the dignity of the human person (a principle not a prudential judgment) the death penalty may solely be used if it is the, This is where they show their lack of understanding of what is needed with respect to prudential judgments. Such language about Gods vengeance against murderers is used elsewhere in the Old Testament. In fact, it was leaked to the press. Religious freedom is rooted in the dignity of the person; it safeguards moral freedom and fosters mutual respect. Even if you believe that the death penalty is right in principle, writes Claiborne, knowing that innocent people are being sentenced and sometimes executed should give you pause. It is difficult to imagine anyone enjoying capital punishment; yet that does not mean that it is any less necessary or right. Capital punishment is based on the Genesis account of creation. Certainly the book of Genesis still applies to New Testament believers. It also provides a fear that helps restrain future capital crimes. I also said that myimpression(from Saturday) was that you were not teaching that it could or would likely be so proclaimed in the future. Capital Punishment Genesis 9:6 Stephen A. James - Mr. James opinion to this subject is clear from the start. Think back to the moment when YHWH had a murder to investigate. But what can be accessed is intriguing: The variations in the interpretation of the verse are striking. B. Jacob . This is my correspondence with Dr. Fastiggi last night: I wanted to ask you specifically if your opinion is that the Church might in the future declare the death penalty intrinsically immoral (and/or if Pope Francis would). Benedict never explicitly makes, concerning Genesis 9:6, the claim that Fastiggi attributes to him. But I have never taken that position, and I agree with Feser that its not clear whether Pope Francis has himself taken that position in his Oct. 11, 2017 address. God instituted capital punishment after the flood. . How could this possibly, made in passing in a discourse devoted to a completely, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Capital Punishment: Ive Changed My Mind, Religion and the Death Penalty: A Call for Reckoning, A Catholic Traditionalist Confronts History, Ethiopian Orthodoxy and the Immaculate Conception. (Psalm 10:15). Denial of the second follows from denial of the first, and the refusal to affirm the first and enter into legitimate debate on the second is telling of what his position is. Whether he will or should in the future is another matter. First, in the exhortation in question, Pope Benedict was not addressing the subject of capital punishment. Why did God mandate capital punishment for murder? Image (15) Made (15) God (14) Blood (13) Shed (13) Man (11) Man's (9) Whoever (9) Shall (8) Sheds (8) Whoso (4) Sheddeth (4) Own (4) Human . In this chapter, God ordains the second sphere of oversight for controlling human behavior. Capital punishment is inconsistent with the general Christian stand that life should always be supported. Indeed, the godly pray for God to avenge murder and other injustices of the wicked: Break the arm of the wicked, and as for the evildoer may You In the Talmud, Genesis 9:5 is interpreted as a prohibition against killing oneself, and Genesis 9:6 is "cited in support for the prohibition of abortion." . It is still God's law today, and forms the basic authorization of the institution of human government. The pope was not even addressing the topic of criminal justice, the question of what sorts of punishments are appropriate, etc. A few comments: First, if you want to take Fastiggis side in his dispute with me, thats fine, but before doing so you ought to be clear on what we are actually disagreeing about. And he consistently tries to challenge these arguments. Quite frankly, it doesnt pass the laugh test. Bible Gateway 82 Romans 13:1-14 The taking away of human life by murderincluding those forms of murder known by their various euphemisms one constantly employed in seeking and avenging murder. Show footnotes. Abortion. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! capital punishment contradicts the sanctity of life.7 This view stresses consistency: if we are consistently prolife, then all lifeeven the life of the murderer should be protected. Romans 13:4 shows that the coming of Christ does not abolish capital punishment, but the responsibility is given to government, not individuals. And again: [I]t is absurd to deny that Genesis 9:5-6 affirms the legitimacy in principle of capital punishment . . Dr. Fastiggi in one of his articles at CWR, quotes Pope Benedict XVI citing Genesis 9:6 in a similar way: Pope Benedict XVI, however, in his 2012 Post-Synodal Exhortation,Ecclesia in Medio Oriente, n. 26 cites Genesis 9:6 as evidence that Godforbidsthe killing of even those who commit murder: God wants life, not death. I have argued that the Church cannot teach that because such an extreme claim would contradict scripture and 2000 years of consistent teaching and judging from what you say here in your combox, it seems you might agree with me about that. . (Genesis42:2128). My guess is that he doesnt want to commit himself right now to the thesis that capital punishment is always and intrinsically immoral, but also doesnt want to come out and say that the Church couldnt teach that. seek out (and avenge) his wickedness [until] You cannot find it out [any longer] As he doesnt object to any of the prudential arguments and sociological points that appear later in the book, but to the arguments from natural law and moral theology from the first half of the book. With regard to the historical record of magisterial pronouncements on the death penalty, I agree with Fr. And happily, Genesis 9:6in its meaning, authority, and applicationstill determines Christian belief and practice and is essential for a healthy society that values and protects human life. Thus murder shows contempt for God as well as for ones fellow man. He offers the rainbow as a sign of this promise. Any impartial observer would take his position to be that the death penalty is intrinsically immoral, given the form and structure of his argumentation and exactly what in Fesers arguments he is objecting to. There are scriptural / exegetical, patristic, magisterial, moral theological, philosophical, law vs. grace, governmental, and dogmatic theological aspects to it: all distinct from each other, and each quite capable of generating necessarily very long discussions. even by those serving a lifetime prison sentence. . Genesis 9:6 emphasizes that the murderer shall have his blood shed "by man." The text is stating that other humans ("man") shall kill a murderer because God made "man" in His image. If you cant produce such a reference then all your assertions are but speculations. A murderer not only took the life of his victim, he also assaulted the divine majesty. Later Old Testament passages confirm this. Its also absurd to say that I shouldnt have written this blog post. Genesis 9:6. But some in the pro-life movement and some denominations claim that Scripture: Genesis 9:6 Denomination: Baptist Human Government - God's Restraint For A Sinful World Series Contributed by Paul Barreca on Nov 5, 2011 | 4,101 views Genesis 9 is an important "FIRST" in the Bible. And he consistently avoids addressing the question of how such a dramatic reversal of teaching could fail to damage the Churchs credibility where the Churchs credibility, which rests on consistency, has always been far and away my main concern. sanctions the execution of murderers, [I]t is absurd to deny that Genesis 9:5-6 affirms the legitimacy in principle of capital punishment . Read full chapter Genesis 9:6 in all English translations Genesis 8 Genesis 10 English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. 24:1423). The statement was an official memorandum from the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith the chief doctrinal officer of the Church sent to a bishop, Cardinal McCarrick, for the purpose of clarifying the implications of Church teaching for how the faithful ought to form their consciences when deciding how to vote. Genesis 9:6 3 Votes Q. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Murder polluted and defiled the land, and only the death of the murderer could expiate or rectify the polluted land (Numbers 35:3334). The Mosaic Law significantly limited the scope of Genesis 9:6. Genesis 9:6 . . God specified that murder was to be punished by death because of the nature of man. . God requires that the death penalty be applied to murderers (Genesis 9:5). Religious freedom is the pinnacle of all other freedoms. It implies also the enactment and enforcement of regulations for those human activities (e.g . In my exchanges with him, Ive always emphasized the specific pointthat the Church cannot teach that capital punishment is always and intrinsicallywrong, and Ive emphasized that she would be contradicting scripture, the Fathers, and all previous popes if she made such a radical reversal of teaching. Clearly, the post-Flood world needed a divine But a closer reading of the New Testament indicates a different reality. As the context and meaning of Genesis 9:6 is straightforward, so is its abiding authority. Because human beings are image-bearers of God, murder was such a serious affront to both God and man that it had to be answered with the blood of the murderer. And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast. as abortion, euthanasia, population control, one-child policy (family planning policy), and so onare not just human tragedies, they are a sacrilege, a direct assault and affront to God. But in that case, you shouldnt have written this blog post. 9:6 blood be shed. Central to these safeguards was the death penalty: Whoever sheds mans blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man (Genesis 9:6). Religion and the Death Penalty: A Call for Reckoning, edited by Erik Owens, John D. Carlson, and Eric P. Elshtain (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2004), offers the chapter, Biblical Perspectives on the Death Penalty, by Michael L. Westmoreland-White and Glen H. Stassen. It implies that all those who kill humans must be killed. The fact that ignorance and injustice exist in a judicial system is no excuse for abandoning Gods commandment. but in that case he ought to make that clear in his public remarks, because he seems to be saying the opposite in his CWR articles. In Within its pages, we find the wisdom of God. I doubt hell invokeex cathedraauthority to do so. He provided enough food for thought for me to be totally against it, for various reasons: some of which I discussed on my Facebook page today. No one was subjected to more injustice than Jesus Christ in His trial and crucifixion. Adams transgression, reinforced by the sin of Cain, continues to produce thorns and thistles (cf. In other words, God tolerated violence although his long-term goal was peace. Simply saying But Feser is a philosopher and Hart and Fastiggi are theologians cuts no ice. Chapter 9 describes God's interactions with Noah and his sons following the flood. society that desecrates Gods image invites divine judgment. But Fastiggi is blatantly violating this methodological principle in insinuating that Benedicts remark implies some radical reinterpretation of Genesis 9:6 and, by implication, some revolutionary teaching vis--vis capital punishment. . . (Genesis 9:4).3, God then turns to the lifeblood of man. Green, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2011), 118: The death penalty is entrenched in OT law and narrative, and it is attested, though not necessarily endorsed, in NT teaching as well. All Are Called To The Eschatological Feast. But whether the Church could teach that whether there really is any wiggle room here is the main issue between us, so insofar as he persistently fails straightforwardly and frankly to take a stand on that, I find the exchange frustrating. (Genesis 4:8) had become endemicall flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth Capital punishment is such a duty. Skip to primary navigation; . He forbids all killing, even of those who kill (cf. He forbids all killing, even of those who kill (cf. He made man. The Christians final authority in all matters of faith and practice is not public opinion, but the Bible, Gods Holy Word. Learn how you can be the influence our kids need by supporting the ministry today. Genesis 9:5-6 introduces capital punishment by the LORD God. According to Genesis 9:6, capital punishment is based upon a belief in the sanctity of life. McEvenue comes to the conclusion that it has been demonstrated neither that the sentence 9:6a is very old, nor that it is a law . . Since human souls bear the image of God, human life is sacred. Wasnt he tried and condemned and executed by the rulers of his land? This is an apodictic statement of divine right which does not permit exceptions: human life is untouchable because it is divine property. avenging. F. Brown, S. R. Driver, and C. A. Briggs. Abstract Genesis 9:6 states, "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image." (ESV) It is argued that this verse establishes capital. The death penalty is a barbaric relic of the past, according to our enlightened age. Commentary on Genesis, Exodus, Matthew and select passages. Then hementions Cardinal Ratzingers Worthiness to receive Holy Communion: the very document I refer to in my initial paper, by which I justified my former position. 6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image. Certainly, Genesis 9:6 in its sanctity and protection of life is instruction for us. Now, it is standard methodology when interpreting papal texts to take context into account, and to be very cautious about extrapolating momentous implications about a particular subject from papal remarks made in passing in a discourse devoted to a completelydifferentsubject. . not pick and choose. Im sure it will help. As Joe Bessette and I note in our book, Cardinal Ratzinger (who went on to become Pope Benedict XVI)explicitly stated in 2004that it may still be permissible to have recourse to capital punishment and that there may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about applying the death penalty. He could not have said such things if he believed that Genesis 9:6 absolutely forbade the execution of murderers. The Catechism tells us that the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the, If time permits, Ill try to explain this more in a subsequent posting. According to Genesis 9:6, capital punishment is based upon a belief in the sanctity of life. And Jesus clearly interprets it as a proverb . The Bible says that capital punishment was first instituted by God Himself in Genesis 9:6: "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.". How many deaths have there been, how many lives ravaged by human blindness, how many occasions of fear and humiliation! Copyright 2002-2022 Got Questions Ministries. Man is created in God's own image ( Genesis 1:27 ). From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. Has Lutheranism Avoided Denominationalism? This command affirms again that the pre-Flood society was reprobate, as mentioned earlier in Genesis 6.2 Then the Lord saw, in the words of Moses the lawgiver, that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually the second half-verse: by man shall his blood be poured out, does not correspond to the style of apodictic law. (Genesis 9:6).5 The meaning is straightforward: a murderer must be put to death. Since 1976, about one of nine death row inmates has been exonerated, usually after languishing for decades in a cell. Genesis 9:6 Context Crossref Comm Hebrew Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version "Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind. Moreover, the reason given for capital punishment in Genesis 9:6 is permanent: because man is made in Gods image. Where has Pope Francis used the term intrinsically evil in reference to capital punishment? Another kind of lawful slaying belongs to the civil authorities, to whom is entrusted power of life and death, by the legal and . Some have pointed out that the Law has been fulfilled in Christ. Terms of Service apply. Genesis 9:6 NIV - "Whoever sheds human blood, by humans - Bible Gateway Deepen your knowledge of Scripture. Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind. But you wont know that unless you actually bother to read what I wrote. But Its analogously the same scenario, but even more removed from the topic of capital punishment (if we are to consider context). Genesis 9:5 - 6 23 Votes Q. They write: Most Christian retentionists rest their biblical case primarily on a single text, Genesis 9:6, which is structured as a chiasm (i.e., using an ABBA in which the second half is a mirror image of he first half): [footnote: Authors translation to show the chiastic order. The taking of human life is always wrong including when the state does it. Mosaic Law never app. But this line of argument is problematic in several ways. I really dont believe Pope Francis needs to condemn capital punishment as intrinsically evil in order to condemn its application today in very strong terms. Christopher Marshall, Capital Punishment, in Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics edited by Joel B. Although the animals were put But what do we have here? So it comes down to classification of the teaching in the past and now. In fact, it is still authoritative for Christian belief and practice, as any truly Christian statement of faith demonstrates.1 Nothing else in Gods creation was vitalized by Gods own breath (Genesis 2:7). particular way: Noah and his descendants must not consume the lifeblood of an animal The traditional understanding of the reason for the great flood described in Genesis 6-9 is that man was being punished for his wickedness by being obliterated from the face of the earth. The conclusion of the first half of the book is Capital punishment is morally licit, that is that it maybe done without sin. This stand is most often taught in issues such as abortion . Its rationale appears to be . avenge] (2 Chronicles 24:22). "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image. Thank you for signing up to receive email newsletters from Answers in Genesis. . . Internet Explorer is no longer supported. Genesis 9:6, though a dreadful command, is a blessing from God. Genesis 9:6 says, "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image." The severest of penalties is to follow murder, and God Himself gives the reason for it. This is an excellent biblical web site, which deals with a lot of social issues. Riverview Church, Perth, Western Australia . We never can know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. We have executed the wrong person on many occasions. Also discover the most profound evidence for creation on the planet. It gives rise to political and religious exploitation, discrimination and violence leading to death. Genesis 9:6. It says, "Whoever sheds man's blood by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God, He made man." The Mosaic Law set forth numerous offenses that were punishable by death. (Leviticus 24:1123). This often intimidates Capital Punishment. Genesis 9:6 gives us the first and simplest direction relating to capital punishment: "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man." In this passage, God gives the right of capital punishment to man. The Mosaic Covenant requires the death penalty for murder, He who strikes a man that he dies shall surely be put to death (Exodus 21:12; In fact, when the death penalty is applied, people are killed not for current acts of aggression, but for offences committed in the past. I think so many people think that if you dont hold that capital punishment is intrinsically evil then any arguments against it are simply prudential. This does not follow as I tried to explain in. Old Testament. Now, it is standard methodology when interpreting papal texts to take context into account, and to be very cautious about extrapolating momentous implications about a particular subject from papal remarks made in passing in a discourse devoted to a completely, Second, it is in any event highly misleading to imply, as Fastiggi does, that Benedict was cit[ing] Genesis 9:6 as evidence that God, For another thing, it is quite ridiculous on its face to suggest that Genesis 9:6 teaches that God, Nor is it remotely plausible to attribute such an interpretation to Pope Benedict XVI. . ., solemn affirmation in Genesis 9:6 of both human dignity and capital punishment . The origin and biblical basis for death penalty began with the book of Gensis. Whoso sheddeth man's blood Whether upon a sudden provocation, or premeditated, (for rash anger is heart-murder, as well as malice prepense, Matthew 5:21-22 ,) by man shall his blood be shed That is, by the magistrate, or whoever is appointed to be the avenger of blood. The Christian worldview includes Capital Punishment. 2. Many Feeneyites make similar appeals as well as Catholic traditionalists who reject Vatican IIs, In my one comment (below) I explain that I have never argued that capital punishment is intrinsically evil. God established capital punishment in Genesis 9:6 when he set forth the principle, "Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man." . Happen to see our new campaign on Fox News? Nor is the topic completely different. Persecution is always front and center in any discussion of Christians in the Middle East in our time. It would seem that there is no end to the crime of Cain (cf. Genesis 9:6 does just that. Update 2018-08-03: Pope Francis changes teachings to oppose death penalty in all cases. For their part, Muslims share with Christians the conviction that no constraint in religious matters, much less the use of force, is permitted. But in that case, you shouldnt have written this blog post. that it may still be permissible to have recourse to capital punishment and that there may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about applying the death penalty. He could not have said such things if he believed that Genesis 9:6 absolutely forbade the execution of murderers. Answer (1 of 5): Yes, Gen 9:6 validates capital punishment by government, but not vigilante revenge. The following is taken from an article in the book, The Bible Has the Answer, by Henry Morris and Martin Clark, Creation Life Publishers. He has not yet condemned capital punishment as intrinsically immoral, . (General Audience, 30 November 2011), Together with the Synod members, I draw the attention of societys leaders to the need to make every effort to eliminate the death penalty and to reform the penal system in a way that ensures respect for the prisoners human dignity. But even in that limited sphere, I freely grant as regards the present passage that historic and current exegesis of Genesis 9:6 is indeed overwhelmingly in favor of a death penalty interpretation, as Dr. Feser observes. If you think he believes that the Church could / might teach this in the future, what exactly did he write to give you that impression? Those who can rejoice over reproductive freedoms that end in the murder of the most innocent human liveseven in the death of those who survive the abortionists Dr. Feser showed up in the latter, last night. I simply argue that there is no definitive, infallible teaching of the Church in favor of the legitimacy of capital punishment. Genesis 9:5-6 5 And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. . Genesis 9:6 states that "whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man." In this passage we discover two important truths. Thats not, of course,fatal to the anti-death penalty position, since there are other considerations of how Old Testament law applies in the new covenant, etc. Thus, I candidly expressed to Dr. Feser on my blog last night: I just changed my mind two nights ago. Next, God makes a unilateral covenant with humanity and animals never to end all life with a flood again. . . View all posts by Allen Browne. The context of Genesis 9:6 reveals its abiding authority. This is what brings about, with all due respect, an implausible interpretation, since Pope Benedict would be providing three biblical passages in support of God forbidding all killing, whose meaning are 1) dont kill, 2) kill [capital punishment], and 3) dont kill. The Lord orders Noah, The one who sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed He has, though, stated that it is against the Gospel. Change). . On the one hand, the support of churches for the elimination of the death penalty often has been a critical factor in those countries that have abolished it. Should our governments kill the killers? Man may kill and eat animals (Genesis 9:3), but The embarrassment remains that the interpreters vary between judicial formula, proverb and prophetic admonition. The Old Testament writers, Moses and Any man who attempts to sheathe the state's sword is in rebellion to God and His will. Your claim that the Pope Francis is in doctrinal error is your opinion, which has only the weight of your opinion. God has blessed all peoples since I explained to him [Dr. Feser] that you were definitely not saying that the Holy Father is teaching thatnow, and cited three of your comments in one of your articles and two comments underneath it. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google . He refers to deadly assaults and constraint and exploitation and violence leading to death. Then in the very next sentence, he writes: God wants life, not death. The Bible is the written Word of God. Genesis 9 is too obscure to say anything definite with respect to the matter. replete with Scripture proofs from the Old Testament, as is the New Anselm Gnthr, OSB (19112015) who wrote, the statements of the ecclesial Magisterium [on capital punishment] are occasional assertions and do not represent a fully definitive position; we must not undervalue them, but nor should we consider them to be unchangeable and perennially valid magisterial statements (A. Gunthor, Chiamata e risposta: Una nuova teologia morale, Vol. In Genesis 9:6 God will articulate the law on capital punishment. No ransom could take away the death penalty (Numbers 35:32). Even modern liberal exegetes who have tried to reinterpret it have only ever claimed that the passage isneutralabout capital punishment, and they have had to strain credulity to go even that far (for reasons Joe Bessette and I explain in our book). Genesis 9:6 says that death was the penalty for the crime of murder only - not for all the other sins listed in the Mosaic Covenant. He legislated that human death be investigated, authorizing the community to take the life of a killer who failed to respect the divine breath in their victim. In the combox for this article, he reiterated the same thing twice: His statement that capital punishment is per se contrary to the Gospel need not mean that it is intrinsically evil. Its arguably a climactic conclusion of the entire paragraph. Changes in cultural mood or in legislation do not alter Gods abiding Word. It is inhumane. . . the Flood with the command of Genesis 9:6. No mere coincidence, then, prompted God to institute the death penalty as a restraint on violence. But the Hebrew word for "kill" in Exodus 20:13 is sometimes used in referenc . Gen4:15-16; 9:5-6;Ex20:13). Fastiggi comments that Benedict thereby cites Genesis 9:6 as evidence that Godforbidsthe killing of even those who commit murder.. This paper was. Because I dont believe there is a definitive, infallible Church tradition affirming the legitimacy of capital punishment, it would betheoreticallypossible for Pope Francis or a future Pope to condemn it entirely in anex cathedramatter. ., I dont find Fastiggis position clear at all. God has placed the power of the sword in human hands. Gen 9:6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man." Murder is wrong because it is destroying one made in God's image. Moreover, it is applied to people whose capacity to cause harm is not current, but has already been neutralized, and who are deprived of their freedom.]. a report about my change of mind. Granted that punishment has these four aims, we may now inquire whether the death penalty is the apt or necessary means to attain them. The sword is a symbol of capital punishment and, when wielded by the state, is an action authorized by God. Gen4:6-10 and1 Jn3:8-15) among the sons of Adam and Eve created in Gods image (cf. This is why their book is a departure from present magisterial teaching. I suspect this wont happen. Of course, this is true not only of Paul, but also of the other New Testament authors. Genesis 9:6 & Capital Punishment (Contra Ed Feser) December 6, 2017 by Dave Armstrong 1 Comment Preliminaries and Whether Genesis 9:6 is Proverbial Literature My post, "Capital. What does God say about a soldier taking a life in war, or a policeman on the job? . Grounds for a Catholic being denied Holy Communion isa long ways indeed from what a Catholic ought to believe, as the highest ideal in the matter of whether we should put captive prisoners to death or not. Furthermore, God restricted Noahs authority over the animals in one What matters are the merits of the actual arguments they give and the actual arguments I give, and I have shown that their arguments are bad. They are always willing to use the power of death. As one of the few survivors of the Flood, offender is an absolute necessity are very rare, if not practically nonexistent.. . The Cross And Boasting (Galatians 6:12-15), 6. 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 upon the one who practices evil (Romans 13:4). 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And Hart and Fastiggi are theologians cuts no ice clear from the start on that and... And give today to have been arguing at CWR that the Pope does not that... Are talking about what God forbids, and forms the basic authorization of the state its! At all rights reserved to be Gods Word and the CCC, 2267 lay out these.. And for your lifeblood I will require it and from man will articulate the Law has been fulfilled in.. The taking of human life is sacred ( 2:7-9 ), you will be very careful how you can.! Pinpoint Genesis 9:6 is permanent: because man is made in Gods image present magisterial.! Divine right which does not permit exceptions: human life is instruction us... Seem unable to grasp these basic distinctions of category could not have said such things he... Is always front and center in any discussion of Christians in the sky, claim! Answer ( 1 of 5 ): Yes, Gen 9:6 validates capital punishment and dignifies every human being war... 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Correct in the sanctity of life laugh test manslaughter or accidentally causing another & x27... On that, and especially the paragraph leading up to receive email newsletters from answers in Genesis bear! Which has only the weight of your opinion below or click an icon to log in you! Own image ( Genesis 1:27 ) went on to become Pope Benedict not! Intrinsically immoral, alter Gods abiding Word more insights from your Bible study - get with! ; for in the sanctity of life ; Whoever sheds human blood, humans. Weight of your opinion, which has only the weight of your opinion, but because they pleasant. Are wise, you shouldnt have written this blog post ( Exodus )... For genesis 9:6 capital punishment rise to political and religious exploitation, discrimination and violence leading to death have such... And thistles ( cf Genesis 9:4 ).3, God tolerated violence although his long-term goal peace! The dispute between us - 6. by Brandon Smith | March 10, https. God say about a soldier taking a life in war, or a policeman on the job less or. Especially the paragraph leading up to receive email newsletters from answers in Genesis 9:6 absolutely forbade the execution murderers. Xvi ) is a barbaric relic of the few survivors of the other New Testament believers any punishment. What we deserve for our deeds ( Luke 23:41 ) in several ways because in the dignity of the.... Oppose death penalty future is another matter simply saying but Feser is a of... Implies that all those who commit murder, individuals guilty of manslaughter or accidentally causing another & # x27 s... The rulers of his victim, he ordained it to be the influence our kids need and give.... Society, not because they are always willing to use the power of earthly governments the altar, protect. Government is a departure from present magisterial teaching sanctity of life issues as. 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