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The recent execution of Stanley Williams is all in the news this morning. There are a couple of issues as I think about this. There is a strange dichotomy between proponents of the death penalty and abortion. In many cases those against abortion are for the death penalty and many pro abortion are against the death penalty.
For me the death penalty is executing someone that is guilty of killing a person. The Bible specifically calls for the death penalty in cases where someone kills another person. Abortion is taking the life of an INNOCENT person. A baby in its mother’s womb has committed no crime. Its only crime is its existence.
The news also indicated that Williams did not want a pastor at the end. He indicated that he felt his good deeds would outweigh the bad things he had done.
Many people make this mistaken assumption. In Christian theology you can never perform enough good deeds to get into heaven. A single sin will deny you access to heaven.
It’s sort of like driving and stopping at stop signs. Let’s pretend you’re asleep at the switch and you accidentally run a stop sign and a cop happens to be sitting at the intersection. He will immediately stop you and give you a ticket. You can argue all your want about the thousands of stop signs where you did indeed stop. You will still get a ticket for running this stop sign.
In Christian theology all the good deeds in the world cannot make up for our sins. That is the whole point of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Posted by The Vorlon at December 13, 2005 7:23 AMInteresting point, but I'm not sure that I would agree that "even a single sin can deny us entrance to heaven". In my own little world, it is my understanding that no matter how many good things we do, or how sinless we are, we'll never be good enough for heaven.
There are a number of places, both in the bible and without, that talk about your works being a reflection of your beliefs, and specifically your love for God. But there are probably just as many that say that good works don't get you anything. The only way to heaven is through Jesus.
I don't know if that makes much sense. Just a thought. :)
Posted by: Chad Everett at December 14, 2005 11:04 AMWhile the Bible called for execution, it also provided for safe cities where the killer could reside without fear of retribution. I presume that the intent was to give the criminal an opportunity to mend his ways and start over without fear of the past. Perhaps prisons function in that capacity in todays world.
Posted by: Ned Swift at December 14, 2005 4:43 PMTed:
I am curious to know your scriptural or other basis for stating that one sin can bring about eternal damnation. How do you explain the "good thief" being crucified with Jesus. "Today you shall be with me in Paradise"?
Paul's sin before his conversion was certainly great. He participated in the stoning death of Stephen. I don't see how we could say that Paul did not make it to Heaven.
Then, there is the parable (I can't find it at this time) about the workers called to labor at 3 different times of the day, early morning, about noon and close to quiting time. All were paid the same, which tends to show that while there is life in this world, there is opportunity for repentance that will get one into Heaven.
Ted:
That last scripture passage to which I was referring is Matthew 20:1-16.
Bill
My understanding is the reason the Word became flesh adn dwelt among us is because man in incapable of living a life that will get him into heaven. Christ came to offer forgiveness so that every single one of our sins will be forgiven and thus erased from our record. At that point we are sinless and can now enter into the kingdom.
Bill, I remember that parable well. To me it means that no matter when in life we find Christ, we can still make it into heaven. Like the thief on the cross.
I think of of the reasons the system is put together so that it only takes one unforgive sin to prevent out passage into heaven is to prevent the holier than thou attitude. I can't place the quote, but I think the Bible says something like "so that none may boast."
Posted by: Ted at December 15, 2005 9:42 PM