Quote:
Originally Posted by Blueridge Baptist  Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Presbyterian Should the State enforce laws against adultery? - Yes.
Will the State do so? - No, not until God grants repentance and faith.
And let me go ahead and "drop the other shoe". To what extend should the State prosecute those found guilty of adultery? - To the fullest extent of Biblical Law. Yes, that means the death penalty, but only in so far as the State is Biblically oriented and has the proper laws enacted (i.e. laws that align with "The Law"). 
*Running for cover now*
[ Seriously though, I have to go out on some sales calls. Will be back later today to take my lumps.  ] |
Maybe not the death penalty, but one things for sure. There should be penaltys for adultery that would make your ears tingle. Maybe something along multi thouand dollar fines with jailtime and public flogging. |
Let me see if I can explain my thinking. [I apologize beforehand for my poor written communication skills.]
1. It appears, from 2 Samuel 12:13, that David expected death as his punishment. But Nathan informs him that God had granted him a special dispensation of forgiveness and that he would not die.
2. Where do we get the idea that the punishments prescribed in the OT Civil Law were the only punishments available to the magistrates? Things like circumstances, repentance (or at least one's attitude toward repentance), and recidivism would have all been taken into account. Not all rebellious children were to be put to death. Only those who were unrepentant and continued in the behavior. Judges were expected to wise in knowing how to apply the Law, and the better part of wisdom is knowing when and when not to show mercy (IMO).
3. The reason Jesus "let the woman go" is twofold. A) He was not at that time a legitimate civil magistrate; and B) there were no witnesses left to accuse the woman. Therefore, she could not be civilly judged at this time and place, though He did pronounce spiritual judgment on her sin, forgave her of that sin, and commanded her not to ever repeat the sin.
So though the death penalty could be applied in certain circumstances, given godly and wise judges, it is not the only and certainly not the first penalty to be applied. Also, it is never the purview of the Church to civilly judge anyone. The job of the Church is to preach against sin, demand that sinners repent, instruct them how to repent, and point them to the Source of forgiveness.
I hope that makes some sense.
Blessings,