Oklahoma Conference of Churches – Theological Statement in Opposition to the Death Penalty

October, 2012

We believe all people are children of God and that all life is sacred. We further believe that God through Jesus Christ is the ultimate judge of all wrongdoing. While God knows what is in people’s hearts and actions, we humans are not privy to all such knowledge. We recognize the need for a system of justice to provide for order in and protection of society, but we also believe that we should not usurp the authority of God in rendering final and absolute judgment.

The Bible contains some apparently conflicting views on the issue; however, we are persuaded that the weight of the biblical evidence, especially the New Testament, is against the death penalty. The first account of murder in the Bible is the story of Cain and Abel. Cain fears that he will be killed in retribution for murdering his brother. God puts a mark on Cain so his life will not be taken and pronounces a “seven-fold vengeance” upon anyone who would kill Cain (Genesis 4:15).

The “eye for eye” and “tooth for tooth” language, found three times in the Old Testament, is often cited as support for the death penalty. However, its purpose was to limit violence, not encourage it. Retribution was restricted to “only an eye for an eye.” Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, refers to this Old Testament “law” (Matthew 5:38) but, in the process of clarifying and explaining the full meaning of the principle behind the law (5.17), exhorts the victim of violence to “turn the other cheek” rather than seek retaliation (5:39-42). Jesus’ interpretation of the so-called Lex Talionis is that a violent response to wrongdoing is neither required nor appropriate. People who pray “the Lord’s Prayer” asking God to forgive them their sins as they forgive those who sin against them, should not only “turn the other cheek” but also not demand “an eye for an eye” (or “a life for a life”)—even though emotionally they might want to do so.

We acknowledge the pain and suffering of the victims of the crimes for which the death penalty is usually given. We pray for these victims and support them and their families pastorally. We also acknowledge, on the basis of Christian tradition, the necessity of civil authorities to protect and safeguard society. We believe, however, that it is possible to do so without having to resort to capital punishment. The finality of execution (sometimes even of persons innocent of the crime with which they have been charged) runs counter to the principle of restorative justice. No matter how heinous the crime, the criminal is still a person created in the image of God, and the potential recipient of redemption and forgiveness.

“Renunciation of violence” is a central ethical precept of the New Testament. Violence begets violence, including when perpetrated for seemingly “good reasons.” Therefore, on purely biblical and theological grounds, we oppose the death penalty. We call on the Oklahoma Criminal Justice authorities, in continuing to ensure the safety of society, to use means other than capital punishment, following the example of those states in the U.S.A. which have already abolished the death penalty. We also call on the Oklahoma Legislature to introduce and pass a bill abolishing the death penalty in Oklahoma.

The Rev. Dale Assink
Regional Minister, Synod of the Heartland
Reformed Church in America

James R. Bellatti
Executive Presbyter
Cimarron Presbytery

The Rev. Aaron Carland
General Presbyter
Indian Nations Presbytery
Presbyterian Church, USA

The Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley
Archbishop, Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Oklahoma City

The Rev. Kent Cormack
Acting Conference Minister
Kansas-Oklahoma Conference
United Church of Christ

The Rev. Dr. Gregory J. Coulter
Presbyterian Church, USA

The Rev. Dr. James A. Dorn, Jr.
Progressive Oklahoma Baptist State Convention

Rex Friend
Religious Society of Friends

The Rev. Michael Girlinghouse
Bishop, Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The Rev. Dr. Stephen D. Graham
Coordinator, Cooperating Baptist Fellowship
of Oklahoma

The Rt. Rev. Samuel L. Green
Presiding Bishop, Twelfth Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Church

Bishop Robert E. Hayes, Jr.
Bishop, Oklahoma Conference of the
United Methodist Church and the Oklahoma
Indian Missionary Conference

The Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Jewell
Regional Pastor, Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) in Oklahoma

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward J. Konieczny
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma

The Most Rev. Edward Slattery
Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa

Bishop Darryl B. Starnes, Sr.
Bishop, Southwestern Delta Episcopal District,
West Tennessee-Mississippi, South Mississippi,
Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma
Conferences, African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church

Bishop James B. Walker
Bishop, Ninth Episcopal District
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

The Rev. Dr. William Tabbernee
Executive Director
Oklahoma Conference of Churches

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