My theory is that killing is always wrong. Always and without exception. Including in self defense. Including in time of war. Including in the administration of justice.
But sometimes the greater wrong lies in NOT killing.
No one ever said the only choices we would have to make in life were between good and evil.
Theory works great in the classroom, but in practice, knowing the laws governing the topic work much better. The levitical least demonstrate when killing is justified and those same laws are in use today, just different technology and circumstance.
I'd like to know how you can tell the difference in a quick moment that ends up being a life/death choice.
“killing is always wrong.”
Maybe, next time around, when God writes a new Bible, He will consult with you, eager for your opinion. (He orders killings throughout the Scriptures.)
My friend is incensed that we Baptists don’t permit women preachers. She thinks it’s wrong, even though it couldn’t be clearer in Scripture. I told her God probably will run it by her next time around. In the meantime, I guess I get to choose what I want to object to or ignore in the Bible. Apparently, it’s a Chinese menu to some.
The command in the Ten Commandments is to not murder, which is different from not killing.
God is the one who instituted the death penalty as capital punishment and governments, not individuals, have the authority to administer it.
Killing someone in self-defense or defending another is not wrong since it is usually accidental. Sometimes it's a byproduct of defense and cannot be helped.