Remember Jesus? After the flood, capital punishment was established by God as the penalty for murder. . (Genesis 9:6). As Joe Bessette and I note in our book, Cardinal Ratzinger (who went on to become Pope Benedict XVI). The contradiction would only be if x was also magisterial. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 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. examples from the Old Testament (1 Corinthians 10:6, 10:11). Evangelium Vitae, n. 55). q. decree to restrain violence. We never can know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. We have executed the wrong person on many occasions. Therefore, so he reasoned, the quote can be dismissed, and we cant know the popes exact meaning anyway. Genesis 9:6, though a dreadful command, is a blessing from God. . I suppose one could be concerned with the seemingly pregnant use of yet there. . Genesis 9:6. . A man that killed another man was to be put to death by a relative of the deceased, called the "revenger of blood," Num. He investigated the crime, for Abels blood demanded a response. Internet Explorer is no longer supported. I have no hostility towards you. Sin has been rampant ever since. grisly effortsmay certainly rejoice over the murder of those less innocent. 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. In other words, God tolerated violence although his long-term goal was peace. 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. Im not in a place to exhaustively comment on all this stuff (dont you think that would be ratherpresumptuousof me? The passage is equally well translated will or shall. ], Claus Westermann, who has written what is widely recognized as the most authoritative commentary on Genesis, explains that scholars do not agree whether Genesis 9:6 is a legal penalty, a prophetic admonition, or a proverb. I really dont believe this is a matter upon which the Roman Pontiff should invoke his supreme apostolic authority. Punishment Death penalty Mosaic law For murder. Human motives are never pure, especially where power is involved. I suspect that he wants to leave wiggle room for that. Catholic doctrine (Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Africae Munus, November 2011), Photo credit:The Woman Taken in Adultery (1529), by Lorenzo Lotto (b. . And on page 208: Yet Genesis 9:6 teaches that mans being made in the image of God is precisely a reason to support capital punishment rather than a reason to oppose it. And further on page 293: [T]he teaching of Genesis 9:6 is that . Here he makes it clear that what he finds unacceptable is putting a person to death for a past crime when the person is no longer a threat and has lost his freedom This is very much in line with what St. John Paul II has already taught. 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. Societies that regard life as he will surely be avenged6 (Exodus 21:20). Now I shall turn my attention to the first of two key biblical passages that have been disputed, as regards the death penalty (and that I highlighted in my announcement of my change of opinion): Genesis 9:6 (RSV): Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for God made man in his own image., Dr. Feser and co-author Dr. Joseph Bessette state intheir bookthat Genesis 9:6 . Nor is the topic completely different. Persecution is always front and center in any discussion of Christians in the Middle East in our time. 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. believers from appealing to the Old Testament. Gen4:6-10 and1 Jn3:8-15) among the sons of Adam and Eve created in Gods image (cf. Instead, he placed Cain under royal protection to prevent the community taking Cains life! Introduction Part of the covenant God gave to Noah was the institution of capital punishment (the death penalty) as the penalty for murder. Gen4:15-16; 9:5-6;Ex20:13). 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. As God gave to Adam the creation ordinance of marriage that still has abiding authority, so God gave to Noah post-Flood ordinances, including capital punishment, that are still authoritative. Man changedfor the worsewhen he disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit. I think the 6th paragraph in his March 20, 2015 letter explains what he thinks is inadmissable: [paragraph 6: In certain circumstances, when hostilities are underway, a measured reaction is necessary in order to prevent the aggressor from causing harm, and the need to neutralize the aggressor may result in his elimination; it is a case of legitimate defence (cf. 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. 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. Not that it mustbe done (pace the strawman of Hart). But what can be accessed is intriguing: The variations in the interpretation of the verse are striking. It was notintendedto be an exhaustive study, as I said, let alone a full account of both sides of the current raging debate. It has not ceased to be Gods Word (2 Timothy 3:1617). . Even the intentional killing of a slave merited the death penalty, And if a man strikes his servant or his female servant with a rod that he should die under his hand, Please refresh the page and try again. The Cross And Boasting (Galatians 6:12-15), 6. Even if the death penalty is not condemned as intrinsically evil, the application of it today can be condemned as cruel and unnecessary (St. John Paul II, 1999) and contrary to the Gospel (Pope Francis, 2017). Topics. . (p. 101). 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. Alameda's spreadsheet predates SBF's current media blitz by a month, though it comes . He forbids all killing, even of those who kill (cf. 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. . in which Benedict stated: God wants life, not death. Verse Genesis 9:6. The Catholic Church essentially teaches this in their Catechism section [and avenge] him for taking the life of a man. He contended that the topic of the Exhortation was religious toleration, not criminal justice or punishments, including the death penalty. Did he terminate Cains life? Since God values human life, He ordained it to be protected through capital punishment (9:5-6). God will personally seek out and avenge4 But you wont know that unless you actually bother to read what I wrote. That does makesomedifference, dont you agree? Note. 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. . If hes correct, contradiction or reversal would not be technically present in a scenario of non-magisterial teaching x being replaced by magisterial teaching y. It was anarchy, rampant crime, violence and immorality that brought about God's judgment by the flood. 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, But Dr. Feser neglects another factor. seek out (and avenge) his wickedness [until] You cannot find it out [any longer] 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). Is capital punishment for Why did God mandate capital punishment for murder (Genesis 9:6)? So Im not clear exactly why you think it is Fastiggi, and not me, who is correct in the dispute between us. As Fastiggi has made it very clear in his public work that he is objecting to the first point Feser and Bessette are making in their book, not the second. Whether this divine sanction was for all time and places is a matter of biblical interpretation for today. Although the animals were put The origin and biblical basis for death penalty began with the book of Gensis. He is resisting "the ordinance of God" (Romans 13:2). . ., I dont find Fastiggis position clear at all. . From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. Following the worldwide Flood, God gave a covenant to Noah, graciously promising never again to send His judgment as a mammoth flood. . 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." . Capital Punishment Genesis 9:6 Stephen A. James - Mr. James opinion to this subject is clear from the start. Read full chapter Genesis 9:6 in all English translations Genesis 8 Genesis 10 English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. 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. . 11 Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. Chapter 9 describes God's interactions with Noah and his sons following the flood. one constantly employed in seeking and avenging murder. the second half-verse: by man shall his blood be poured out, does not correspond to the style of apodictic law. Why the Death Penalty? 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. There is a need for guiding principles. ESV Text Edition: 2016. See us on Fox News? crime against man and God that the only just penalty is the forfeiting of the murderers life. Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence. Should our governments kill the killers? 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. Genesis 9:5 - 6 23 Votes Q. (Hosea 7:8-10), Biblical Character Qualities And Life Skills, 7. If you are wise, you will be very careful how you stand against the power of earthly governments. The commandments given to Adam and Noah preceded the Mosaic Covenant, continued during Any other punishment degrades the life of the victim. it is murder; if the state kills, it is not murder, some would say. And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. This is why Im also a bit puzzled by why you think his position is strong, because it seems to me that he isnt actually trying to argue for exactly the view you are taking. Without these, human life is cheapened, society becomes dangerous, and civilization regresses. Though the death penalty may at first seem to be cruel and unusual punishment, the Christian should remember that the God of all mercy entrusted it to human government to prevent a far more destructive and corrupting violence. particular way: Noah and his descendants must not consume the lifeblood of an animal The justification for capital punishment established here is the nobility of human life, which is in the image of God. 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].. Worthiness to receive Holy Communion is certainly astopically distant from capital punishment (if not more so) as The Church in the Middle East. . Thus, I candidly expressed to Dr. Feser on my blog last night: I just changed my mind two nights ago. Genesis 9:6 sanctions capital punishment . Has Lutheranism Avoided Denominationalism? Genesis 9:6. But God didn't call capital punishment murder; He didn't call it obscene; He didn't call it uncivilized. I hope I havent confused anything, myself. 35:19. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! 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. . He forbids all killing, even of those who kill (cf. How a society views Genesis 9:6, in its sanctifying The Bible is the written Word of God. . Old Testament. Genesis 9:5-6 And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. . Prior to the Flood, men who lived by depraved consciences made themselves odious before the thrice-holy God. . 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). It furnishes the ultimate protection for human life. sacred and protect life are safe and dynamic. The taking away of human life by murderincluding those forms of murder known by their various euphemisms (Psalm 10:15). Since human souls bear the image of God, human life is sacred. . As God gave to Adam the creation ordinance of marriage that still has abiding authority, so God gave to Noah post-Flood ordinances, Is Capital Punishment for Today? Dr. Feser showed up in the latter, last night. Genesis: Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Pentateuch by John Goldingay. The Institution of Capital Punishment. 21:28. I dont find Fastiggis position clear at all. Lets see how things develop. In his second reply to you, he stated: He has also taught that it is per se contrary to the Gospel (Address of Oct. 11, 2017). 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. . A murderer not only took the life of his victim, he also assaulted the divine majesty. This establishment of capital punishment, administered judicially by man, has never been changed or withdrawn. the Prophets (Luke 16:29, 16:31), did not serve just their own generation, but they served us, the New Testament church (1 Peter 1:1012). 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. This same covenant reconstituted human government and established safeguards against the prevailing human violence which precipitated Gods judgment. 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." . Of course, this is true not only of Paul, but also of the other New Testament authors. And again: [I]t is absurd to deny that Genesis 9:5-6 affirms the legitimacy in principle of capital punishment . . the Mosaic Covenant, and abide after the Mosaic Covenant into the New Covenant until the end of time. But Fastiggi seems to have been arguing at CWR that the Church couldteach this. No mere coincidence, then, prompted God to institute the death penalty as a restraint on violence. 9 Bible Verses about Capital Punishment Genesis 9:5-6 Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. 3 bawa't 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. Wasnt he tried and condemned and executed by the rulers of his land? 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). Among these civil laws, the death penalty was required for a number of offenses, includingin addition to murderadultery (Leviticus 20:10), rape (Deuteronomy 22:25-26), kidnapping (Exodus 21:16), cursing ones parents (Exodus 21:17), witchcraft (Exodus 22:18), teaching false doctrines (Deuteronomy 13:1-10), Sabbath violations (Exodus 35:2), and several others. The Old Testament writers, Moses and If someone is found guilty of intentional murder in a country where the death penalty is used, do not cry, Injustice! for God has given authority to human governments. This issue clears up ten common misconceptions about the Flood. . Where has Pope Francis used the term intrinsically evil in reference to capital punishment? I agree all down the line. This is an apodictic statement of divine right which does not permit exceptions: human life is untouchable because it is divine property. All life means all life. Genesis 9:5-6 ESV / 180 helpful votesHelpfulNot Helpful. Human government is commissioned to be a minister of God to you for good. It is a universal principle, not part of the Mosaic legislation. ., the sanction in Genesis 9:6 of the death penalty for murder, which is presented as having application to the human race in general . Persecution in the region is referred to three times. And Jesus clearly interprets it as a proverb . 7th century bce ), though Plato argued that it should be used only for the incorrigible. But the Hebrew word for "kill" in Exodus 20:13 is sometimes used in referenc . 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. Why does murder deserve capital punishment? 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 sanctifies human life and dignifies every human being. 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; j. Ex 21:12-14 Le 24:17 Nu 35:33 Mt 26:52. Also discover the most profound evidence for creation on the planet. Answer (1 of 5): Yes, Gen 9:6 validates capital punishment by government, but not vigilante revenge. Yet YHWH did not take Cains life. In delegating authority to man over the highest good that man has, namely, life, God implicitly gave authority over lesser things as well. 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. 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. They actually function more like declarations of the great moral seriousness of these offenses. PNG police shoot four protesting university students dead in Port Moresby, Parliament told. 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.]. In my first paper on the topic, I deliberately concentrated on the scriptural arguments, for that reason (and because I know the most about that area). 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