The Presbyterian & Reformed Journal: In publication for over 200 years, since 1813.
No Rushing to Judgment Cities of refuge demonstrate the grace of God’s Law. Deuteronomy 19:1-10 “‘When the LORD your God cuts off the nations whose land the LORD your God is giving you, and you dispossess them and dwell in…
Grace to Offenders God’s Law points the way to grace. Exodus 21:28-31 “When an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten, but the owner of the…
Each His Own Guilt The Law of God is specific toward individual violators and violations. Deuteronomy 24:16 “‘Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each…
Fear of Retribution The Law restrains the sinful actions of men. Leviticus 24:17-23 “Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death. Whoever takes an animal’s life shall make it good, life for life. If anyone injures his…
Protection of Women God’s Law operates to protect women against rape. Deuteronomy 22:25-27 “But if in the open country a man meets a young woman who is betrothed, and the man seizes her and lies with her, then only the…
Reverence for Life Everyone is responsible to hold life sacred. Exodus 21:22-25 “When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be…
Manslaughter Not all killing of another is murder. Exodus 21:12-14 “Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death. But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his…
A Community Responsibility The death penalty was a community duty. Numbers 35:16-21 “But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death. And if he…
For the Community The death penalty is for the sake of a just community. Deuteronomy 19:11-13 “‘But if anyone hates his neighbor and lies in wait for him and attacks him and strikes him fatally so that he dies, and…
Life for Life We must flinch at what God requires. Leviticus 24:17 “Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death.” Leviticus 24:21b “…and whoever kills a person shall be put to death.” The fact that this sanction…