IN THEORY:Thoughts on the death penalty

I pray that Saddam Hussein's execution does not beget more violence. But my fear is that these factions will use it as a cover or excuse for more violence. The biggest loser in that scenario is the Iraqi people, because more of them will be dead and wounded.

I have wondered if banishment to irrelevancy is not the greatest punishment for a megalomaniac like Hussein. If he were alive in a prison cell but no longer had a voice in society or an audience, wouldn't that be more punishment than death to him? Death ends it for him. To be forgotten and to become immaterial to the goings-on of the society around you when you have been (in your mind) the object of worship and adoration is brutal.

GALEN GOBEN

Foothill Christian Church

La Crescenta

I believe the Bible justifies the death sentence for murderers convicted by legitimate governmental courts. Is execution morally correct? God is the fountainhead of all morality, and the timeless principle He gave to Noah is: "Whoever sheds man's blood," as Saddam did, "by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man." (Genesis 9:6)

But for a moment let's leave Baghdad and focus on Burbank. Scripture says that we've all sinned against God.

We have all broken the laws of heaven. Further, "the wages [just deserts] of sin is death," which means physical death at some point, but ultimately eternal separation from God in the lake of fire.

Our sins were as repugnant to God as Hussein's atrocities are to us. But God, being rich in mercy, provided a means of release from that just penalty by sending Jesus Christ to take the punishment for us on the cross.

When we fully trust in Jesus' work on the cross, God reckons that faith to us as righteousness. If you wish to receive God's free gift of forgiveness and eternal life, you must simply "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved."

PASTOR JON BARTA

Valley Baptist Church

Burbank