For my second video post in a row, I want to share a video from a series where people submit difficult questions to be answered by John Piper. For anyone who follows me on Twitter or reads this blog regularly, you know that I’m a fan of John Piper’s teaching (though I don’t agree with everything he says).
In this video he answers a common question that even I sometimes struggle reconciling. I agree wholeheartedly with how he addresses the question. You need to watch it all the way to the end.
Reactions?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Duh….Good explanation. I like how he got into a little of how I would explain that we are God’s people in HIS Kingdom before we are Americans, etc. in our country. I think he’s saying that it’s not ok for Christians to kill but it is okay in some circumstances for governing entities to do so. How do you feel about that Jayson? Knowing you at least a little bit now I would think that would not sit right with you. Am I wrong?
The way that you’re stating it does sometimes sit with me fine and other times not. On one hand, I do affirm the idea that Paul talks about around Romans 13:4 – that human government does have the ability to use capital punishment as a means of punishment for grievous crimes. On the other hand I do believe that is the government’s responsibility to make sure it’s doing so with the most careful of judiciary procedures, and I think our current system can and needs to be improved upon.
Furthermore, I would say that God does have the prerogative to kill people who are (or at least seem to us to be) innocent of heinous crimes in a way that no human authority does.
I’m not as “bleeding heart” as one might think.
Not “bleeding heart?” Saying that our current system can and needs to be improved upon would suggest otherwise. I think I’ve heard people in power talk about how the constitution needs to be changed. I think it was set up to work properly. What makes it not work is people in power who have ideas, special interests, moral bias, etc. But, I’m sick of political Christian-ism….I’m out.
Oh yeah, I still love you!
I’m talking specifically about the judicial processes that surround capitol punishment. I’m not saying the Constitution, I’m talking about the on-the-ground issues and the appeal issues.
I’m interested in what you mean by “Political Christian-ism”? I have some guess as to what you mean, but I’d love to hear you unpack it.
Still love you too. One thing DC has taught me; you don’t have to hate someone to disagree with them. The most bitter political enemies here are still often able to have normal-people interactions off the clock.