Is Capital Punishment the Same Thing as Taking Up the Sword?
Man's unique position in relationship to God affords him special status regarding his life; neither beast nor other men may so take man's life except they forfeit their own for their crime. This is not to say that the one who deserves such punishment cannot be punished by other men. Certainly, if God commanded men to kill the one who murders, then men may so carry out God's command without offense to God.