It came as no surprise to learn that some MPs in Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party have called for a debate on the death penalty following the sentencing of the killer of three girls at a children’s dance class last July.

It would seem that a majority of Britons are in favour of restoring it too.

So how should a Christian respond? I would guess most people would assume that given Jesus’ teaching there is nothing to debate, but that is clearly not the case as I discovered a few years ago when I spent some time with some believers in the United States. I was leading a mid-week Bible study and it became obvious that they couldn’t understand how anyone might doubt that the death penalty is an appropriate punishment.

And so, in the interest of debate I thought it would be good to ponder some of the arguments that can be made to justify the death penalty from a Christian perspective.

Many people would probably begin by pointing to the Ten Commandments where it says ‘Thou shalt not kill’ but any reading of the Old Testament will show us that this did not mean that the death penalty was forbidden. The verse is better translated ‘You must not murder’. It might also be argued that even though the UK abolished the death penalty in 1965 our armed forces are not forbidden to carry arms and are allowed to use them in the right circumstances. In other words, there are times when it is morally justified to take another person’s life!

It's also claimed that the death penalty proves little or no deterrence as if this is the principal reason for its use. But if you read the Old Testament, it is clear that capital punishment was sanctioned by God because human beings are made in His image, and it can be argued that this is as true today as it was in the days of Noah.

Again many will say that Jesus told His followers that they should not seek ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’. He certainly did that but it is vitally important to understand that He was criticising the way in which the people of His day were taking a principle that belonged in the law courts and applying it in their personal relationships in order to justify revenge. It was intended to be a guide for those administering justice not an encouragement to get your own back.

I could continue, but whatever conclusion we each reach I would suggest the most important thing we can do is pray for all those who have been deeply affected by the Southport tragedy as well as for those who govern us because they definitely need wisdom from on High.