Q. If the Bible says that those who kill should be put to death (Genesis 9:5-6), wouldn’t that mean that those who put them to death would have to be killed themselves?

A: Well now, that would cause quite a problematic chain-reaction, wouldn’t it? While there is plenty of room for sanctified common-sense in understanding Scripture, it is also okay to examine its moral teachings more closely on occasion. When we do, we discover that the moral code of the Bible does in fact rest upon a rational basis, and teaches just and consistent ethics for life.

The basis for the Bible’s teachings on murder...