The death penalty is clearly supported by Scripture. Genesis 9:5-6 — given to ALL humanity (not just Israel) — establishes capital punishment for murder based on the image of God: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed."

Genesis 9:5-6 is given to Noah after the flood — predating Abraham, Israel, and the Law of Moses. It applies universally to all humanity. The reasoning: humans are made in God's image, so killing a person is so grave that the community is authorized to execute the killer. This isn't vigilante justice — it's governmental authority. The OT prophets reinforce this by condemning gentile nations (not just Israel) for failing to punish the wicked. The simple fact that Scripture supports the death penalty "shouldn't be controversial" even if the topic itself is complicated.