Ultimately with R.C. Sproul Capital Punishment and the Sanctity of Life
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Jan 5, 2026 Is capital punishment compatible with the sanctity of life? Delve into the debate as R.C. Sproul explores whether executing murderers contradicts the biblical view of human dignity. He explains that murder is an attack on God's image, making life sacred. Sproul contends that just as the command against killing reflects God's authority, so too does the provision for capital punishment. He argues that valuing human life necessitates taking a stand when that life is willfully taken by others.
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Pennsylvania Veto Story
- R.C. Sproul recounts Pennsylvania's debate when the governor vetoed a bill to restore capital punishment and cited "Thou shalt not kill."
- Sproul found it strange because the Bible permits execution for willful murder as a response to that commandment.
Scriptural Basis For Execution
- Sproul explains Genesis' command: "whoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed" as a divine legal requirement.
- He argues the provision arises because humans bear God's image, making murder an attack on divine dignity.
Murder As Assault On God's Image
- Murder is framed as the greatest assault on human dignity because humans are created in God's image.
- Therefore God regards murder as not only an attack on a person but as an affront to Himself.