The question of whether God killing people makes Him a murderer is a complex theological issue that has been debated for centuries. There are several key considerations when examining this topic from a biblical perspective:
God is the author and giver of life
The Bible teaches that God is the creator and sustainer of all life (Genesis 1:27, Acts 17:28). As the author of life, God has the right to give and take it away according to His purposes and plans. Humans only have life because God grants it to them out of His grace and mercy (Psalm 104:29-30, Job 1:21). Therefore, when God takes a life, He is not murdering in the sense of unlawfully taking a life that does not belong to Him.
God is righteous and just
Murder involves unjustly taking an innocent life. However, the Bible presents God as righteous and just in all His ways (Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 145:17). Even when God takes life, He does so in accordance with His moral perfection and justice. God never acts out of cruelty, malice or injustice.
All people deserve death because of sin
The Bible teaches that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). All people have sinned and face God’s judgment (Romans 3:23, 6:23). Therefore, every person deserves death on account of their own sin. When God takes a life, He is carrying out the just penalty for sin rather than murdering the innocent. God would be justified in taking any life because all have sinned against Him.
God is sovereign over human lives
As the sovereign ruler of the universe, God has absolute rights over human lives and deaths (Deuteronomy 32:39, 1 Samuel 2:6-7). He alone has the right to give and take life according to His divine plan and purposes. Humans have no claims over their own lives independent of God’s sovereignty. Therefore, God taking a life is not murder, but an expression of His supreme lordship.
Examples where God takes life
There are several biblical examples where God directly takes human life or commands it to be taken. Some include:
- The global flood in Noah’s day (Genesis 6-9)
- Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction (Genesis 19)
- The 10 plagues on Egypt (Exodus 7-12)
- Death of the firstborn in Egypt (Exodus 12:29)
- Death of Uzzah for touching the Ark (2 Samuel 6:7)
- The judgment of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11)
In all these cases, God was justified in taking life because He is the sovereign Lord over life and death, and those who died were guilty of sin against Him.
Killing versus murder
An important distinction can be made between killing and murder. Murder involves unjustified, unlawful, cruel killing of the innocent. But God never engages in murder, only righteous judgment leading to killing. God’s actions are never unjustified, unlawful or cruel. Those whom God kills are never innocent but guilty of rebellion against Him.
God is patient and longsuffering
Despite people deserving death for their sins, God exhibits incredible patience, mercy and grace. He delays judgment to allow time for repentance (2 Peter 3:9, 15). But He is also just, meaning sin cannot go unpunished forever. God’s judgment is always tempered by His mercy.
Life and death ultimately fulfill God’s plans
God is able to incorporate both life and death into His sovereign plans (Revelation 1:18). Even killings lead ultimately to the fulfillment of His purposes. God brings glory to Himself both through sparing life and by executing judgment. Both the righteous and unrighteous will stand before Him in the end (Acts 24:15).
Objections and responses
Here are some common objections to the view God does not murder when taking life:
- Objection: God broke His own commandment “Do not murder” when He killed people.
- Response: This command was given to humans who lack God’s moral perfection and supreme rights. But God’s actions are always righteous and cannot be judged by human standards.
- Objection: When God killed babies and children, He murdered the innocent.
- Response: No one is innocent of sin before God (Psalm 51:5, 58:3). God is still just in judging those incapable of intentional sin.
- Objection: God killing people violates their free will.
- Response: Human free will is limited and subordinate to God’s sovereignty. He retains the right over all human choices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while God does end human lives, this does not equate to murder. As the righteous judge and sovereign Lord over life and death, God acts justly and within His rights when He takes life. The taking of life by God must be understood within the framework of His absolute holiness, goodness and supremacy. When examined from a theological perspective, God terminating a human life does not constitute murder.
