EXCESSIVE PUNISHMENT
This podcast and essay were originally prepared for our Identity Politics Series on our secondary Substack channel, scheduled for release on October 27, 2025. However, at the strong urging of my publisher, we’ve chosen to share it now on our primary platform—The End Times Chronicles. May this message stir your convictions and challenge your thinking. - Dr. Phinney
The Eighth Amendment protects individuals from excessive bail, fines, and cruel or unusual punishment, anchoring the justice system in humane and proportionate treatment.
The Ninth Amendment, often overlooked, affirms that the enumeration of specific rights in the Constitution does not mean that other unlisted rights are denied to the people. Together, these amendments form a vital defense of personal liberty—ensuring that justice is not only fair, but that freedom, particularly in Christ, is not confined to what is merely written. They remind us that the Constitution is a living covenant, designed to protect both the dignity and the divine worth of every citizen.
Justice or punishment? You decide.
In Utah, the decision to pursue the death penalty against Tyler Robinson—the man accused of murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk—has ignited a national debate over justice versus punishment. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray stated that the move was made independently, based solely on the nature and evidence of the crime, which included political targeting and endangerment of children. The question remains: is this justice, or retribution? Biblically, justice seeks restoration and accountability under divine order, while punishment alone can reflect vengeance without transformation. In this case, the death penalty is being framed as a defense of sacred freedoms—particularly the right to speak without fear of violence. Whether viewed as justice or punishment, the decision underscores the gravity of the crime and the moral weight carried by those entrusted to uphold the law.
This may ruffle a few feathers, but here’s where I stand…
My belief regarding the death penalty is anchored in the redemptive heart of the Gospel. While justice must be upheld and consequences rightly administered, I hold that every soul—even one guilty of the most grievous crimes—should be given time and opportunity to encounter the saving grace of Yeshua. The Holy Spirit is not bound by prison walls or human verdicts; Biblical Paul proved that. He moves in the darkest places, calling the lost to repentance. To end a life prematurely is to potentially cut short the divine work of conviction, transformation, and salvation. I believe in justice, but I also believe in mercy—and mercy always leaves room for redemption.
Keeping the condemned alive is not a denial of justice, but a declaration of hope. Scripture teaches that “God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). If we truly believe in the power of the indwelling Life of Christ, then we must also believe that no one is beyond His reach. The death penalty may satisfy the demands of law, but it can silence the possibility of eternal life. My conviction is simple: let the Holy Spirit have time to work. Let the Gospel be preached. Let grace be extended. Because even in the final hours, Yeshua still saves.
If Tyler were to truly accept Yeshua as his Lord, Savior, and redeeming King, the power of his testimony would be nothing short of transformative for the world.
It would stand as a living witness to the mercy and reach of God—a declaration that no soul is beyond redemption, no act too dark for the light of Christ to penetrate. In a culture gripped by vengeance and despair, such a testimony would pierce through the noise with the unmistakable sound of grace. It would not erase the consequences of his actions, but it would proclaim the miracle of a heart made new.
Tyler’s confession of faith would carry prophetic weight, especially in a time when justice and mercy are often seen as opposites. His story could become a vessel of warning and hope—a sobering reminder of sin’s cost, and a radiant display of Yeshua’s power to save. If genuine, his testimony would not glorify his past, but magnify the One who conquered it. And in doing so, it could call others—perhaps even those most hardened—to consider the reality of a Savior who still reaches into prison cells and whispers, “You are mine.”
Biblical justice is never void of grace, nor does grace negate the consequences of breaking the law. In God’s economy, justice and mercy walk hand in hand. Scripture reveals that true justice is not merely punitive—it is restorative. When a person violates divine or civil law, consequences are necessary to uphold righteousness and protect the innocent. Yet even in judgment, God’s heart remains fixed on redemption. As Romans 3:26 declares, “He is just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” This means that justice, rightly administered, can become the very doorway through which grace enters.
When consequences are carried out with integrity and compassion, they create space for repentance. They expose the need for a Savior and invite the offender to encounter the mercy of Yeshua. Grace does not erase the law—it fulfills it through the cross. The thief on the cross still died, but he died redeemed. In this way, biblical justice becomes a sacred instrument: not just to correct behavior, but to awaken hearts. When justice is rooted in truth and tempered by grace, it doesn’t just punish—it restores. And in that restoration, the Gospel shines brightest.
Matthew 5:38–39 (ESV) | “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
While “an eye for an eye” may seem logical and even fair in the realm of human justice, it ultimately falls short of solving the deeper problem of sin and spiritual death. Retribution may satisfy the law, but it does not transform the heart. In fact, it can close the door to redemption by ending a life before the soul has a chance to encounter the indwelling Life of Yeshua. God’s justice is not merely about balancing scales—it’s about restoring what was lost. When we prioritize punishment over grace, we risk silencing the very testimony that could emerge from a repentant heart. True justice leaves room for mercy, and mercy opens the way for salvation.
I have no desire to see Tyler burn in Hell—that is not justice, that is eternal loss. My deepest hope is to one day see him standing beside me on Heaven’s side, redeemed by the mercy of Yeshua. No matter the weight of his sin, the cross is heavier still. If the Holy Spirit reaches his heart and he surrenders to the Lordship of Christ, his testimony could become a beacon of grace, not a monument to judgment. That is the power of redemption—and the heart of the Gospel.
How are those features doing?
I was honored to lead an online discussion for a major news network on the deeply controversial topic of delaying the death penalty for a convicted individual. Anchored in my biblical conviction—that every soul deserves time to encounter the indwelling Life of Yeshua—I presented the case for mercy without compromising justice. My premise was simple yet profound: while the law must uphold consequences, it must also leave room for redemption. In that moment, I witnessed something extraordinary—one of America’s leading atheists, known for his staunch opposition to faith-based reasoning, was moved by the spiritual depth and moral clarity of this position, and I was able to lead him to Christ. The conversation shifted from legal theory to eternal truth, and by God’s grace, he engaged not with resistance, but with curiosity. It was a powerful reminder that when biblical justice is presented with grace and conviction, even the most unlikely hearts can be stirred.
Another case I had the privilege of engaging with was that of Ted Bundy. While he awaited execution on death row, a fellow believer and I were given the opportunity to share the Gospel with him. In that sacred moment, the message of redemption pierced through the darkness—and yes, he responded. Ted Bundy received Christ as his Lord and Savior, a testimony to the boundless reach of grace even in the final hours of life.
If Yeshua didn’t extend His grace to us, the outcome would be unimaginably tragic—because without it, we would all stand condemned. Scripture is clear: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). That death isn’t just physical—it’s eternal separation from God. Grace isn’t a soft option; it’s the only lifeline we have. Without the unmerited favor of Christ’s sacrifice, we would be left to face the full weight of divine justice on our own—and none of us could stand.
We’re absolutely right to say it plainly: we would all end up in Hell. But praise be to God, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). His grace doesn’t ignore justice—it satisfies it through the cross. And because of that, we’re not just spared—we’re invited into eternal life, indwelt by His Spirit, and commissioned to share that same grace with others. Without Yeshua’s grace, there is no hope. But with it, there is redemption, restoration, and the promise of Heaven.
Our Founding Fathers, in crafting Amendments 8 and 9, demonstrated a profound awareness of the need for justice that is both fair and restrained.
Through the Eighth Amendment, they rejected excessive bail, harsh fines, and cruel or unusual punishment—ensuring that the law would never become a tool of oppression. And with the Ninth Amendment, they affirmed that the rights of the people extend beyond what is written, protecting individual liberty from being diminished by omission. Together, these amendments reflect a deep commitment to preserving human dignity, limiting governmental overreach, and upholding a justice system rooted in moral conscience.
Our judicial system, in its pursuit of justice, has tragically crossed a line that few are willing to acknowledge: it has sent more souls to Hell than most citizens care to admit.
When courts dispense punishment without regard for redemption—when they extinguish lives before the Gospel can be heard—they wield a power that was never granted by God. Scripture makes clear that only the Lord is the righteous Judge, the One who discerns hearts and offers mercy through Yeshua. To presume eternal authority over a soul is not justice—it is spiritual arrogance. Who gave us such power? Not God. He calls us to uphold truth, yes—but always with the hope that even the vilest offender might be transformed by grace before facing eternity.
Christ-centered justice is not merely a legal concept—it is a divine reality rooted in the character and work of Yeshua.
Scripture reveals that “righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne” (Psalm 89:14), meaning that true justice flows from the heart of God, not the hands of man. In Christ, justice is perfectly fulfilled—not by ignoring sin, but by bearing its full weight on the cross. “God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement…so as to be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:25–26). This is the mystery and majesty of Christ-centered justice: it satisfies the demands of holiness while extending mercy to the guilty.
Unlike human systems that often confuse punishment with justice, Christ-centered justice restores what was broken. It confronts evil, defends the innocent, and calls the sinner to repentance. It does not compromise truth, but it always leaves room for redemption. As Micah 6:8 declares, “He has shown you, O man, what is good: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” In a world bent on vengeance or lawlessness, the justice of Yeshua offers a higher way—one that heals, redeems, and transforms. It is not blind; it sees with compassion. It is not cold; it burns with holy love. And it is not temporary; it leads to eternal restoration. That is the justice we must proclaim, embody, and defend.
Here’s my challenge: If we claim to believe in Christ-centered justice, then we must live and lead like it matters—not just in our churches, but in our courtrooms, our policies, and our public discourse. It’s easy to demand punishment; it’s harder to advocate for redemption. But if we truly release Yeshua, we must ask ourselves—are we leaving room for the Holy Spirit to work in even the darkest places? Are we defending justice with grace, or just mirroring the world’s thirst for vengeance?
The judicial system was never meant to be the final judge of a soul. That authority belongs to God alone. So let us rise as a people who uphold truth without abandoning mercy. Let us challenge the culture of retribution with the Gospel of restoration. And let us never forget: the same grace that saved us is powerful enough to save anyone, even Tyler. If we deny that, we deny the very heart of the cross.
Tyler, I am praying for you!
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