AfraidOfAmerica said:
That's a problem. You probably should. What good is law if we don't follow it to the letter?
It's no good if you do follow it to the letter.:nono:
It doesn't say that as a commandment, it just says that it's no longer needed for salvation and then discusses Christians being "circumcised" at baptism.
That's because there are no more commandments, in the dispensation of the grace of God. Christians are not under the law, which is why we shouldn't be circumcised for religious purposes. We shouldn't follow any of the law for religious reasons. Now, do you have a problem with murderers being executed, by the government, according to the law?
Yes, they certainly are wrong. I wouldn't suggest otherwise.
So...:think:
Where? You just made the separation of Mosaic law and set aside certain commands for Israel and then brought forth a "list" of things (right above here) that were "wrong". Yet nowhere in scripture do I see God's "criminal code" for dealing with those things, ie. a scripture outside of Mosaic law (which you yourself said was for Israel) that applies here.
I never said the criminal code could be found outside of the Mosaic law, in the Bible. All that is needed is to know how to rightly divide the word of truth. All laws regarding the Sabbath were for Israel alone, and that is shown by verses where God says it is a sign between Him and Israel only.
The Mosiac law as it pertains to relationships between God and man, was only for Israel. However, right and wrong are what they are, for all people. And God commanded the death penalty for murderers, kidnappers, adulterers, and others. Do you think it is wrong for any of these people to be executed? And if so, why?
If we're talking about the Christian approach, which I assume we are because we're throwing out Mosaic law, then we need to look at scripture in the New Testament and find the words of Christ on the topic. Luke 23:34 and Acts 7:60 are two passages in particular that emphasize how we are to treat murderers. Only in Genesis and Exodus does the Bible affirm the death penalty in regards to murders but as you just said, that was for.....?
Luke 23:34 was directed to God, alone. It was not about us, or the government. And murderers know exactly what they are doing. Those directly responsible for the death of Christ thought they were executing a criminal.:duh:
And Acts 7:60 was the same exact thing, except Stephen was viewed as the criminal. And, well, it was definitely not the words of Christ, so you've already failed to do what you said we should do.
Now, what ios wrong with using the words of those who followed Christ? Like Paul?
And I never, not once, said that the death penalty for murderers was only for Israel. IO said the symbolic laws were only for Israel. Execution of murderers was not symbolic. It was just and moral.
It's possible. I don't have a social justice background so I can't really say. I know human nature, however. Maybe we should start cutting off hands...
Is that what God said to do?
You have, however, commited a fairly large logical fallacy by shifting the discussion from homosexuals being put to death as a pretty strange thing to have here with so much agreement to it..to stealing and killing. Not only that, but you aren't the LEAST bit consistent in your ethics, it seems.
The discussion os about whether or not the death penalty should apply to the things God said it should. And to show why I believe homosexuals should be put to death, I have to explain why I think that. And that includes talking about the other acts I believe should be capital crimes, or crimes in general [sometimes], in order to show the difference between the symbolic laws, and what is right and wrong for all people. And discussing why I think that. So I do not see how this is a logical fallacy.
And how am I not consistent in my ethics?
Christ didn't say anything affirming any of these notions and in fact, suggested the opposite in terms of punishment of sinners. He stopped executions of immoral people and plead compassion instead. But yeah, I can see how you'd miss that when you're looking for ways to condemn.
Christ only once stopped an execution, and the reasons were because those who brought the woman to Him weren't following the laws relating to how her crime should be punished. Not to mention the Romans did not allow the Jews to practice their criminal laws, because the Romans were the authority on what was considered crime at the time. And Christ did not have the authority to usurp them in this, because He was not in such a position of authority.
And I agree that because of Christ the punishments of sinners were changed, but the punishment of criminals was not something He spoke against. And since Jesus is God, it was His command that certain crimes be punishable by death. And He never showed any sign of changing His mind on the subject.:nono:
Jesus even allowed Himself to be executed for a capital crime. Of course, He was innocent, and He had to die for our salvation, but He never said that execution of the guilty was wrong. And Paul also said that if he was guilty of a crime deserving death that he should be put to death.
