There are a number of interesting points in that reference, the first of which is this:
*"my issue is with the imago Dei being the foundation of opposition to the death penalty, when Scripture teaches that human dignity that comes from being created in God’s image is the foundation for the death penalty (Genesis 9:6: “Whoever sheds the blood of a human, by a human shall that person’s blood be shed; for in his own image God made humankind.”) *
I have seen this argument before and was impressed with the observation that this verse is not part of Mosaic Law but is still more ancient, the covenant with Noah.
The rebuttal included this comment: *“The Incarnation changes radically how we read Old Testament laws.” *I find this explanation way too glib. First of all, we are not dealing merely with “Old Testament” (viz. Mosaic) Law. This observation may apply to some of the Mosaic prescriptions but I cannot believe that it includes not only nullifying part of God’s covenant with Noah but turning it on its head. This verse is significant and deserves a significant response and I have yet to hear one.
Ender
