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The Myth of Christian America  /  MCA (1 of 14): In the Beginning  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 8
Lactantius argues it is “always unlawful to put a man to death,” even by “word” through a capital accusation, and says God forbids not only what is illegal but also what is “lawful among men”; how does that collide with modern Christian views on policing, capital punishment, military service, and even the way we speak about criminals?
Another way to ask: If it is always wrong to kill or even to accuse someone in a way that could get them executed, how does that challenge Christian support for police force, the death penalty, and the military? How should it change the way we talk about criminals?

Direct Answer In the transcript, Lactantius’ position collides sharply with modern Christian comfort with state violence, because he denies any exception for killing and even rejects participating through capital accusations. It also confronts casual, harsh speech about criminals by treating “putting to death by word” as morally akin to putting to death “by the sword.”

Support from Transcript:

  • Lactantius: “it will not be lawful for a just man to engage in warfare since his warfare is justice itself.”
  • He adds: “Nor is it lawful for him to accuse anyone of a capital charge… no difference whether you put a man to death by word or by the sword.”
  • He grounds it in God’s command: “When God forbids us to kill, He prohibits more than the open violence… He also warns us against doing those things that are considered lawful among men.”
  • He insists on no exceptions: “there should be no exception at all… always unlawful to put a man to death.”
  • Bercot ties this to government realities: ruling requires chaining, prison, torture, punishment—things early Christians said a disciple could not do.
Discussion Follow-ups How would your views change if you treated participation in lethal systems (war, executions) as a direct discipleship issue rather than a political preference?

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