Dear Editor,

I was deeply disturbed by Dr. Alexanian’s letter (April 19) last week regarding Christianity and the death penalty. According to Alexanian, “the death penalty is based on biblical principles,” citing Numbers 35:30 of the Old Testament. What he fails to mention is that this law is of the old Mosaic code, the same of which Jesus came not to “abolish, but to fulfill” (Matthew 7:17) in the New Testament. While the murder of one is indeed deserving enough of the death penalty, according to the Law, Paul claims that it takes indeed much less to deserve death in the eyes of God. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23); that is, ANY sin. By this same logic, do we all not deserve the death penalty?

From a Christian point of view, all have sinned, and therefore need grace, which can only be provided through Jesus, a “blameless” person. Are we then to take arms against fellow people who are no better than us in the sight of God? According to Jesus in John 8:7, in reference to the punishment of a known sinner, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone.” Since none are without sin theoretically, other than Jesus, none have the power to bring about justice. In fact, it was Jesus again who said, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. And do not judge and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned” (Luke 6:36-37). If this is not a plea for mercy with even the possibility of injustice, I’m not sure what is. A system that will take life must first give justice.

Anthony NittleJunior, National Student Exchange962-5184