What should be the Christian view of the government in using fatal force?
by David N Powell

    More specifically the question is seeking the correctness of police or armed forces to kill. What of an officer or soldier disabling or killing an evil doer in the line of duty to protect himself or others and the judicial branch to serve such punishment? In every passage found on this subject in both the Old and New Testaments the answer is 'yes'. Of course there are abuses of authority, but that is another subject. It is not only right for a Christian to support this position, it is his obligation.

    The most inclusive related passage I can think of is Romans 13:1-7.

"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authoritiesthat exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists theauthority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist willbring judgment upon themselves. For rulers are not a terror togood works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of theauthority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you doevil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for heis God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him whopractices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only becauseof wrath but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all theirdue: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fearto whom fear, honor to whom honor."

    In America we have bound the hands of those who protect us. Their job is to protect and serve us, our job is to obey and support them. (Also see I Peter 2:13-14 and Acts 23:12-33).

    Some try to introduce "Thou shalt not kill". But the Lord also gave directives to put people to death for certain sins or crimes. So this "kill" cannot mean the cessation of another's life in every case. The New King James more accurately translates this word as "murder". For one to kill in self defense is not murder. To kill by a totally innocent accident is not murder. And for governments to carry out the death sentence for suitable crimes is not murder. For our present situation for the government to defend America, and to kill in doing so is not murder.

    Murder is a horrible crime, but all killing is not murder. Regardless of what men in their limited view may say, the death penalty will deter crime. It is a useful, God-granted option of government. A life sentence in some cases is simply not justice. Was David wrong in killing Goliath? Remember, he was not an individual seeking vengeance, but a representative of his government defending his people. Vengeance is the Lord's and He has delegated a portion of that authority to governments for the protection of its citizens. Justice is not a bad word. God is all just. It is true that He desires mercy also. So should we be merciful. But mercy only works when the offender has not refused mercy. Let us pray for our leaders to be judicial and wise in having to make such decisions. What is wrong is to allow evil people to kill and terrorize peaceful people with little or no recourse for their actions. No reasonable person is blood-thirsty, but for those who are unreasonable there is the use of force, even deadly force, to control their actions. Let us respect godly principles and the heinous criminals will have to respect them.