I've yet to really exegete the topic, personally, but my overall reading of the scripture has lead me to believe that taking another person's life is God's task alone. On a personal note, if I went on my own strong sense of justice (which I would argue is spiritually given and led) I would be a strong supporter of capital punishment. However, my reading of the scripture has lead me to the understanding that while we are to be just in all that we do, there are just some things that God alone gets to handle and I think taking a life is one of those things.

Has anyone studied it with more depth?? Anyone else struggle with how you 'feel' with what you have come to 'believe'?

Wow, honestly I've never talked to a Christian who does not support capital punishment, haha, but I guess opposition is more rampant than I thought. I completely agree with CP, but I DO NOT rejoice in it whatsoever. Obviously God was big on the Israelites killing off any who disobeyed His commands(Read Deuteronomy 16,17, and eighteen). He did so without apology. Yes, that was old testament, and yes, we are living in the new covenant activated by the death and resurrection of His Son. But, God is still very serious about his people following his Law and has given civil authority the responsibility to enact Capital Punishment for certain acts. Read Romans 13 if you're not sure. "But if you do wrong be afraid, for he (governing authorities) does not bare the sword in vain. He is the servant of God, an avenger to carry out God's wrath on the evil doer."
     

I don't really have an educated "Christian" opinion on this subject but I remember a disturbing article I read a long time ago. Due to the development of DNA testing, a bunch of lawyers were able to go back and look at closed death row cases (the prisoners were already executed) and use DNA testing to prove whether they really were innocent or guilty. Almost 50% of the cases in Texas during the era tested, if I remember correctly, were innocent but had tragically been executed. My intuition has always been against the death penalty but thanks for bringing this up- I'll have to look into the "Christian" perspective and I look forward to hearing everyone's opinion.