Capital punishment, covenant, judgment and stoning are topics, today. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Den Mäktiga Vita Dr” (Level 4 with 3,037 points, a member since November 01, 2013) posted the following:
Why do Christians feel that stoning people to death in the OT was a good way to punish them?
I guess some people can't understand civilized rules.
THE BATTLE AXE: On Christians Executing Judgment (06/06/2014)—(6.) Rightly understood, judgment among mankind in the earth is to reveal judgment among those in heaven and throughout the universe of GOD. With this in view, human judgment is always only a warning that pertains to ones eternal life, not their physical life. Many confuse serving in judgment with having authority over others. Where this occurs, presumption also appears (i.e., taking authority to oneself without permission; replacing GOD, usurping, or stealing divine power, so to speak). The judgment carried out by Christian believers upon the earth begins as a divine operation using those in flesh against others in flesh, advances to an operation using those having an endowment of spirit within flesh against others yet in flesh, and finally becomes a divine operation by those who are immortal and incorruptible. Absolute innocence, perfection, purity and ability to carry out violence are not always required for those having responsibility in judgment so much as balance, compassion, humility, impartiality, independence, neutrality, perspective (we also say, distance, separation), and truth along with ability to discern intent, needs and purposes addressed through the law with correct knowledge, and respect for all under the law. See Exodus 12: 23, Exodus 32: 25-33, Ezra 7: 26, Romans 1: 16-32, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them. But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him. And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses. (Numbers 15: 29-36, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A Culture of Judgment? (03/20/2014); Beyond Punishment (03/21/2014); A Guarantee of Heaven? (03/22/2014); Recognizing Divine Wrath (02/26/2014); In Earthen Vessels (02/27/2014); Bible Justice? (01/26/2014); GOD Inhabits Praise (01/27/2014); Can Someone Be Happy? (12/10/2013); Asked to Help? (12/11/2013); A GOD of Love? (05/07/2013); Commanding the Storm? (05/08/2013)
“Den Mäktiga Vita Dr”, where one hopes to speak correctly and intelligently regarding Christian beliefs, there are many, many points to consider pertaining to judgment and justice such as the following:
(1.) Death by stoning was used to terminate those who were a clear threat to survival of a community in covenant with GOD. Simple expulsion and rejection from the community meant their crimes and offenses could be repeated elsewhere, the offender might return seeking vengeance, and memories or recall of the offender might have a continuing negative influence.
(2.) The entire community is accountable for carrying out the death sentence, and no single individual may be blamed or held to be at fault. Damage by the offender is against every member of the community. It is the mercy of judgment that only one stone may be cast by any single individual. It is the combined weight of the community against the offender that results in their decease; and the person who casts the missile that is fatal and final is impartially decided.
(3.) Unlike murder, where the killer(s) seek to hide their identity, avoid being known and seen, and are careful to escape punishment, the death sentence is carried out openly and in public following the hearing of evidence that may be mostly eye-witness testimony. Words and a verbal response become “hard evidence” on the basis of character, personal integrity, and the manifesting of ones spirit content.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Believers today are to understand that being in relationship with GOD as a covenant people is a matter of cosmic and eternal significance, and is not a casual, private, or simple thing. Given that covenant nations are instruments in divine process, offenses and transgressions by covenant people are disruptions of divine order throughout the earth, the heaven, and the entire universe.). Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith, meekness, and readiness to receive that same promise of the Father poured out at Pentecost upon the early church.
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. (Matthew 12: 7, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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