Execution

Exodus 21:14 "If, however, a man acts presumptuously toward his neighbor, so as to kill him craftily, you are to take him {even} from My altar, that he may die.”

On June 18, 2010 a prisoner was executed in Utah by firing squad. The event was national news since this type of execution is not a normal process in America any more. The event of course has brought with it national controversy. Human rights groups have condemned the execution, seeing it as barbaric unreasonable treatment. Others on the opposing side have debated that it was best to kill the inmate since his crimes warranted the death sentence.

The man was a murderer, although this is seldom brought up by those who are crying publicly that it was a human rights violation. Gardner had previously murdered a bartender and was in court for that murder when he pulled another gun from someone and killed a lawyer in the courtroom. Gardner was one of only three who have been executed in this manner since 1976. His form of execution was his choice, it was not a judge ordered form. Gardner died without remorse or excuse.

In Exodus, God gave provision for someone who might kill someone accidentally, or even if they should kill them without intending to do so. Today we would call this some form of manslaughter rather than murder. But if they were known to be a murderer, someone with deliberate intentions, there was no mercy to be extended to such a person. They were to be removed from the protection of the altar and killed for their crimes. This is why you will see in murder cases that motive becomes a huge issue to determine because it separates manslaughter from murder. Gardner was a murderer.

Today, even among Protestant church leaders capital punishment is condemned. In fact, for years Chuck Colson the president and founder of Prison Fellowship International condemned the practice. Mr. Colson no longer feels this way about it. After spending more and more time with families of the victims, he has come to appreciate the necessity of capital punishment. For the Christian believer trying to come to grips with the idea of capital punishment there are a few things to consider.
- There is a need for justice in society.
- There is a need for justice for the family of the victims.
- The murderer is removed from society and their continuing threat to society is ended.
- There is immediate closure for society regarding the events that led to the destruction of peace in the community.

I think Americans are no longer realistic or in touch with the reality of evil and the consequences of evil in the world. People living in other parts of the world outside of the West know the reality of evil’s existence and the need to deal with it realistically. God deals with it realistically in scripture. As believers we must deal with evil realistically as well. The sixth commandment in Exodus 20:13 reads literally, “You shall not do murder.” This is premeditated murder and not accidental death. There is no other interpretation, no possible alternatives. Gardner was a murderer. Let’s be realistic about evil in the world.