Punishment: The New Testament lays down the general principles of good government,
but contains no code of laws for the punishment of offenders.
Punishment proceeds on the principle that there is an eternal
distinction between right and wrong, and that this distinction must
be maintained for its own sake. It is not primarily intended for the
reformation of criminals, nor for the purpose of deterring others
from sin. These results may be gained, but crime in itself demands
punishment.
(See MURDER)
(See THEFT)
ENDLESS, of the impenitent and unbelieving. The rejection of this
doctrine "cuts the ground from under the gospel...blots out the
attribute of retributive justice; transmutes sin into misfortune
instead of guilt; turns all suffering into chastisement; converts the
piacular work of Christ into moral influence...The attempt to retain
the evangelical theology in connection with it is futile" (Shedd).
