Richard Hollerman

We know that the world’s justice system is wrong and even wickedly wrong. America would think that the “justice system” in this country is the best the world has to offer, and this may be right, but it is woefully lacking. This lacking since what the world gives and what it contends, is far different from what we read in Scripture.

Life, including what we experience in God’s Word, is based on love (Mark 12:28-31). Under this basic principle, we find that the Lord demands that sin of all kinds be redeemed and, if it can’t be changed, we know that punishment is the only recourse.

As we listened to the cell phone recently, we learned that a British nurse murdered seven infants and attempted to slay another six. She will spend the rest of her days in life imprisonment. It was a heinous crime and the judge who pronounced sentence said sobering and convicting words in her trial. Yet, we do wonder why did she not receive the “death penalty” especially since it has not been one or two months, but perhaps seven years. Just why?

Letby has been called “the most prolific” serial killer in the country. A pediatrician was the so-called “whistle blower” (Dr. Ravi Jayaram) who brought this to the public eye. Letby worked in the neonatal unit of the hospital. According to her diary, she said, “I am evil” and other self-incriminating comments. Yet, the hospital allowed her to continue!

We read further in this way: “Lucy Letby, 33, harmed babies in her care by injecting air into their blood and stomachs, overfeeding them with milk, physically assaulting them and poisoning them with insulin, Manchester Crown Court in northern England heard.

In one case, Letby murdered a baby boy, identified as Child E, by administering air into his bloodstream, the UK’s PA Media news agency reported. The next day, she attempted to kill his twin brother, Child F, by poisoning him with insulin.

Scripture is quite clear that one who “sheds” man’s blood (and this would include a baby’s) should be killed himself or herself (Genesis 9:6). We realize that this was under the Law of Moses and the Old Covenant, but still it is something that should be done. And when it comes to the Law of Moses (see Exodus to Deuteronomy), it is very clear that one who slays another should himself (or herself) be killed.

Yet, we know that Britain and many other nations forbid the “death penalty” and this would include much of the United States. We know that this is unreasonable, untenable, and wrong. People do kill others and the also deserve to be killed themselves. We would not debate the fact that some have been wrongly convicted but this would be quite rare. Generally, the opposite is the case. Thousands have been killed or have killed but they, themselves, have not been. In fact, they often serve (in prisons) for some few years and then are released. Sadly, some of them do kill, are released, and go out and murder again. This is called “recidivism.”

Let’s not forget what Scripture says about this. Although murder is wrong and it is wrong to release one who has done wrong, it is definitely wrong to incarcerate one and not execute him or her at the time. We don’t mean in one month, two months, or eight months, but immediately.

We would refer to felony cases. And ones in which the perpetrator is murdered another. All too often, such cases are wrongly allowed to commit additional crimes. We know that when these criminals are dealt with softly, they commit additional crimes, including murder. This must not be and it is condemned in Scripture.

While we are to be merciful to people, we must also defend the ones who are innocent. Of course, we refer not to only a person from one ethnic background but to all. We are aware that certain people incarcerated or prisoners of a certain background are put to death without blame, yet when there is no doubt about the crime, this must be dealt with swiftly.

Thus, surely, in America we must not only see whites, or blacks, or Hispanics, or Asians, or Native Americans, or others apprehended and executed. The same would be true of the 95% or 96% of people in the world who commit crimes or are suspected of such crimes. We know that some countries are “soft” on criminals and others are “hard” on criminals. Some use the death penalty beyond measure. And, of course, those instances in which there is some doubt msut be treated with special regard. Let us have the mind of Christ in this and do right with all people under all circumstances (see James 2:1; Acts 10:34-36; John 9:31; Colossians 3:25; Romans 2:11; 1 Peter 3:12).

God is a God of mercy and He is a God of grace. Let’s not forget this. He has mercy on people and especially on those who may not have committed crimes. If there is any doubt, it is better not to execute a person. Let us use every means possible (finger printing, evidence of all sorts, genetic testing, etc.). But if one is absolutely sure, without doubt, that a person is a criminal and has murdered or killed another, let the government execute that person immediately!