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Saturday, December 30, 2006

The Execution of Saddam

Most of you have seen video clips and photos of the hanging of Saddam Hussein. The death penalty is a controversial subject in this country. Most of Europe has eradicated it entirely. I know that the Vatican has condemned Saddam's execution though I have not yet read the reports.

Romans 13 is the traditional biblical text supporting the death penalty. God has established government to oversee law and order in a society. From my brief review of the Roman Catholic Catechism, the Church of Rome recognizes this God-given role of government but states that the imposition of the death penalty should be exceedingly rare.

Is it right to take the life of a mass murderer? Yes, it is. But it does not work as a deterrent. That's probably true although I don't know how anyone could know that for sure. But I don't support the death penalty because I think it will deter other criminals. But shouldn't we focus on rehabilitation? That's a great idea. But the fundamental role of government is to make and enforce laws, to protect the innocent and to punish the guilty. Punish.

Some crimes, such as mass murder, are so repugnant and reveal a character so corrupt that the only just response is to resort to capital punishment.

What about forgiveness? There are two realms. The realm of grace, the church. And the realm of law, the state. God is the ruler in both. But he works through them very differently. It is given to the church to preach the gospel and to absolve penitents. That is not and must not be given to the state. That's why we don't ask our governors to be evangelists or missionaries. And that is why judges should not absolve murderers, robbers, rapists, child pornographers, embezzlers, etc.

The state is to raise armies, enforce laws and punish wrongdoers. That is not given to the church. So the church must not imprison people, raise armies, or burn people at the stake.

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Kantorei Schedule

Sunday, December 31, 2006 Kantorei

8:30 & 11:00 a.m. St Paul's Lutheran Church
12022 Jerusalem Road
Kingsville, MD 21087
Contact: Pastor Michael Wollman
410-592-8100
Sunday 31 December, 2006

5:00 p.m. Immanuel Lutheran Church
1801 Russsell Rd
Alexandria, VA 22301
Contact: Pastor Christopher Esget
703-549-0155
Tuesday, January 2

7:30 p.m. Redeemer Lutheran Church
3601 Bell Blvd
Bayside, NY
Contact: Pastor Brian Hamer
718-229-5770
Wednesday, January 3

7:30 p.m. First Lutheran Church
38 Field Point Rd
Greenwich, CT 06830
Contact: Pastor Jimmy Coffey Jr.
203-869-0032
Thursday, January 4

7:00 p.m. Immanuel Lutheran Church
154 Meadow St
Bristol, CT 06010
Contact: Pastor H.L. Bridges
860-583-5649
Friday, January 5

7:30 p.m. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
54 Cedar Swamp Rd
Smithfield, RI 02917
Contact: Pastor Larry Nichols
401-232-7575
Saturday, January 6

4:00 p.m. St. Luke Lutheran Church
950 East Street
Dedham, MA 02026
Contact: Pastor James Butler
781-326-1346
Sunday, January 7

8:00 & 11:00 a.m. First Lutheran Church
299 Berkeley St
Boston, MA 02116
Contact: Elaine Laaser
admin@flc-boston.org
617-536-8851
Sunday, January 14

4:00 p.m. Kramer Chapel

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New Curriculum at Concordia Theological Seminary