|
Life's beginning and Scripture Democratic Petition : Recourse of the citizen The Gospel & Family Life Luther on the Capital Punishment of the Cross Psalm 127: Children as God's gift : Luther comments Introduction to Reformed Doctrine Appendix A Luther & Calvin on man & God's image Appendix B : Luther on Psalm 51 : Souls, Conception & Original Sin Appendix C : Luther on "Thou shalt not kill"
|
Q : What is the redress of the private citizen in seeking to avenge murder (homicide, abortion & euthanasia]? A : Democratic petition of parliament [& the Judiciary] The case of Mark Middleton v ' Paul Dally' This case shows up the weakness of a justice system which defies the God ordained use of capital punishment . Frustrated citizen's begin to take up justice into their own hands. In 1989 Karlo Cardno, a 13 year old , was abused and brutally murdered in Lower hut, New Zealand , Police called it one of the most horrific imaginable. Karla had been found with a massive fracture to the back of the head. She had been stripped, bound and gagged and then buried alive. There was extensive bruising to her throat, neck and vagina. Mark Middleton, the step father of Karlo, had threatened to use force against the killer on his release from prison , claiming that he is a danger to the community if released. Mark faces a 12 year prison term should he end the killers life. Mark Middleton is due to appear before a judge to be tried for his comments. We see here the inadequacy of a justice system which has abandoned capital punishment. The Bible gives no warrant to private citizens seeking to extract private justice from other citizens . Recourse must be made through the powers God has ordained The only exception is the case of self defense [or a complete break down in civil order] In conclusion, those who feel strongly about seeking justice for those guilty of homicide, abortion and euthanasia must democratically petition for capital punishment. UPDATE : Mark Middleton was given a nine month sentence, suspended for two years. Further details can be found at nzherald.co.nz and using the search phrase "Mark Middleton". Q : Can we really expect the judiciary to pronounce the death sentence on practitioners of euthanasia & abortion when half the world seems to be immersed in these bloody crimes? A : YES Deuteronomy 1 : 16-17 " And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. Ye shall not respect persons in judgment ; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great ; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man ; for the judgment is God's..." John Calvin's comments on these verses: As forasmuch as men do always put us in fear, so as there spring from thence the sorest and worst temptations that can be to hinder the performance of our duty : Moses warneth judges expressly, For the judgment is God's, sayeth he. Loe, here is a text worthy to be marked. I have told you already, that which experience sheweth too much : that is to wit, that they which are otherwise of a good nature, do nevertheless overshoot themselves through fearfulness. Ye shall see a man in the place of justice, who being not evil of himself, would that all should go well, it grieveth him if he see any fault, and he could find in his heart that every man should bridle himself, or else that there should be some good correction when any men should have done amiss : but in the meanwhile, for as much as he sees that there will be some grudging and disliking of the matter [he thinketh thus with himself] What? Shall I provoke every man to anger against me? That man has kinsfolkes and friends, and such a one is able to be even with me if I trouble him. Again forasmuch as naughtiness reigneth everywhere, and wicked folk have their full scope, and are most in number : I shall bring all the world on top of me & if I mind to discharge my duty, I must not set myself against two or three only but I see all are corrupt....They therefore which otherwise fear God, and would minister right and justice when they sit in judgment, are hindered through fearfulness. If they stand in awe of men they shall surely be shaken down. And why? because they be not grounded on the foundation that Moses layeth here, namely that the judgment is God's. They know not (say I) that they offer great dishonour to God and reproach unto God, when they prefer men before Him. ........Again, If judges knowing themselves to be set up of God, do nevertheless shrink from their duty for fear of men, and be stopped and held back from doing things which they know they to do, because men are against them : what yield they to God? what estimation have they of His power? And for all that God has taught them their lesson, and promised them to stand by them, and to be their defense. Seeing this is so, ought they not to make a buckler (shield) of His invincible power, and to fight lustily though all the world should step up against them? Is not God mighty enough to aid them and succor them, if they trusted thereunto, so as they would rest upon it, and pluck up a lively courage and constancy to go in the right way? Yes: but else, if they be moved by such temptations to swerve from duty : let them assure themselves that God will leave them destitute of His power.
|