Playing God Instead of Imitating God

”I just hugged the man who murdered my son.” — Mary Johnson

In 1993, Mary Johnson’s 16-year-old son, Larami, was shot and killed by Oshea Israel during a robbery. The tragedy devastated Mary and left her grappling with immense grief and anger.

Years later, after Oshea had served time in prison, Mary made the courageous decision to meet him. During their meeting, she expressed her pain and anger but also her desire to understand him. This encounter led to a profound transformation for both of them. Mary chose to forgive Oshea, and over time, they developed a friendship.

Mary even invited Oshea to speak at events about forgiveness and the impact of violence. Their story has been shared widely, highlighting the power of forgiveness and the possibility of healing even in the face of unimaginable loss. Mary Johnson’s journey exemplifies how forgiveness can lead to personal peace and reconciliation, transcending the boundaries of tragedy.

I don’t think I could get to a level of Christian forgiveness that Mary reached. I’m not sure I could escape my own pain. So I suppose I shouldn’t be shocked that so many American Christians are in favor of the death penalty.

According to Pew Research Center, most Americans support the death penalty and that number seems to go up if they are Christian. In fact for White protestants the support for the death penalty is significantly above 70%. All this, despite a majority of Americans also agreeing that there is a risk of executing innocent people, that Black people are unfairly more likely to receive the death penalty, and that the death penalty is not a deterrent to crime.

Of course you hear many arguments in favor of the death penalty, such as:

• Deterrence: despite the stats that say most Americans don’t believe the death penalty serves as a deterrent — most murders are committed in the heat of some moment and serial killers are insane — some Americans still think that the possibility of a death sentence would prevent murders. The evidence here is extremely complex and has varying results, but an overwhelming majority of criminologists do not believe the death penalty is a deterrent.
• Retribution: I think in the end, this is what is driving support for the death penalty. Many people think that the death penalty is a fitting, retributive justice for the worst crimes committed and provides closure for the family. I don’t think this is a Christian position as I will argue in more depth later, but consider Romans 12:19: Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
• Public safety: death penalty advocates argue that if someone is dead, they cannot commit future crimes. This is logically unfalsifiable, but Rian Johnson, if you’re listening, this could be a great plot device for your next Knives Out mystery. I am not sure I feel completely safe inside a society that can choose to execute its citizens.
• Cost: I don’t think the data supports this, but some death penalty advocates would argue that killing someone is less costly than imprisoning them for life. Again, the cost of prosecution and appeal also needs to be taken into account. More importantly, what kind of Christian are you if you argue that the ultimate cost we face is monetary, and not life and faith in Christ?
• Moral justification: some people argue that the death penalty upholds important, moral order and societal values. I will argue this at greater length later, but murdering someone to demonstrate that murder is wrong actually degrades all of society’s morals.
• Flaws in the legal system: death penalty supporters say that there are too many safeguards in place that favor criminals. I would argue that we need to error on the side of proving innocence against an extremely powerful state prosecution. But if you think the legal system is flawed, isn’t that even more reason to oppose the death penalty? Wouldn’t we all rather review sentencing and parole guidelines than resort to the death penalty?
• Closure for families: advocates of the death penalty believe that killing gives closure and justice for the victims families. Again, I don’t think I could rise to the occasion as Mary Johnson did, but Christ has shown us that forgiveness is the way we save all of humanity and provide real closure.

Obviously, I am in the scant 30% or so of American Christians, who vehemently oppose the death penalty. I oppose it for logical reasons, for where the data leads, for my belief about the social contract, but most importantly because I follow Jesus. I generally argue that Christians can have wide degrees of differences in their political ideology and still maintain their basic fealty to Christ. I don’t think that is the case here. I really think that the only position an authentic Jesus follower can take is to oppose the death penalty.

I don’t think it makes any logical sense to kill someone for killing someone. Where is the logical and moral consistency in ending life for the crime of ending life? We don’t do this with other crimes. We don’t rape rapists, we don’t beat up anyone guilty of assault, and so on. If we believe we are made in the image of God, do we not agree that all human life has inherent dignity and it is wrong for the state to violate that dignity? If we believe we are made in the image of God, do we not agree that all human life has inherent dignity and it is wrong for the state to violate that dignity?

The death penalty in the United States is completely racist. No matter your stance on this issue, please do not pretend otherwise because there is a lot of data to support this position. There is an amazing amount of racial discrimination from arrest, to prosecution, to legal representation, to sentencing. A meta-analysis of 30 different studies showed that if someone murdered a white person, a black murderer was much more likely to receive capital punishment and prosecution than a white murderer. Black jurors tend to be struck from juries twice as often as white jurors. The data shows that 295 African-American defendants have been executed for murders of white victims while only 21 white defendants have been executed for murders of African-Americans. I could go on (Source and more).

We are human and mistakes are inevitable, but when it comes to the death penalty mistakes are also irreversible. Given the racial bias involved in the application of the death penalty this makes the death penalty even more morally reprehensible. If the wrong person is sent to jail for life imprisonment, but is then exonerated, we can all agree that person has suffered a terrible injustice. But at least they can be released and live out the rest of their life. If you kill someone no correction as possible.

I believe that Jesus tells us that all people will be redeemed. Of course, this comes from my universalist view of salvation, but should we not imitate God‘s love by extending the possibility of redemption to everyone. As the story of Mary Johnson and Oshea Israel demonstrates, people can commit the worst crimes and yet change for the better, but only if they are left to live.

OK fine Matt, but doesn’t the Bible support the death penalty? Only if you insist on the Old Testament approach to law. Are you going to choose to live in Old Testament ways? Jesus corrects this idea, and I think models how we ourselves should update older ideas found in scripture in the light of Christ’s love:

Matthew 5:38-42

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also, and if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give your coat as well, and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

I’ve heard some Christians argue that Jesus is only talking about eyes and teeth here and not about murder. To which I simply ask, really? You are so unable to hear God’s words of forgiveness and love that you are looking to make exceptions for your own power, control, and retribution. How can I be so certain about Jesus’ intention? I simply offer you the words that Jesus said when He Himself was murdered:

Luke 23:34

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing.

I have fortunately never had a family member murdered, so my statements here are not an indictment against any individual who has suffered such a crime. If I suffered as others have, I would probably support the death penalty. I’m not that good at being a Christian. In fact, I think that such raw emotions would drive me to ending the life of the murderer by any means. But my own personal feelings do not make it right for society or the Kingdom of God.

Despite the fact that most Catholics still support the death penalty — at 58%, which is at least lower than protestants — Pope Francis has called for its abolition. “There can be no stepping back from this position,” says Francis, referring to the opposition to capital punishment expressed by St. John Paul II. “Today we state clearly that ‘the death penalty is inadmissible’ and the Church is firmly committed to calling for its abolition worldwide.” Other Christians agree.

United Methodist Church: The death penalty denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore, and transform all human beings.

United Church of Christ: We simply believe that murder is wrong, whether committed by individuals or the state. Currently our churches are working for abolition of the death penalty.

Presbyterian Church USA: Despite the government’s constantly changing position on the death penalty, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been strong and consistent in its call for a moratorium on capital punishment.

Episcopal Church: The Episcopal Church reaffirms the longstanding principle espoused by The Episcopal Church that the Death Penalty in the United States of America should be repealed.

ELCA: The practice of using the death penalty in contemporary society undermines any possible alternate moral message since the primary message conveyed by an execution is one of brutality and violence.