In last week’s Penn of Denn, I mentioned that I am opposed to capital punishment. I got a little pushback online, questioning how I could oppose capital punishment when the Bible commands it.

Of course, those who promote that view don’t seem to understand how restrictive capital punishment was in the Old Testament. 

The biggest restriction being testimony from one person could not result in a death sentence. There had to have been at least two eyewitnesses to the crime.

If that wasn’t enough, anyone who falsely accused another person of a capital crime faced the same punishment the accused would have received.

And while it’s true, the Bible allowed capital punishment; it didn’t require it, as evidenced by the stories of Cain, Moses and David.

On a personal note, on September 9, 1692, Mary Bradbury was convicted of witchcraft in Salem and sentenced to hang. Mary was my eighth great-grandmother, and she barely escaped hanging.

Think about that. The state was willing to hang my grandmother.

For those in the “eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” camp, remember, Jesus added to that when he said, “But I tell you. . .” Then, he describes a better way.

Have a great week, and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.