The political roller coaster continues. We’ve had another rousing debate in South Carolina in which Fred Thompson resuscitated (to revive from apparent death or unconsciousness) his campaign, the usual sniping went on at Huckabee and Romney and Ron Paul managed to insert his “I can’t believe he actually said that” rhetoric. Huckabee was in Saginaw County yesterday and made the front page of the newspaper. A small write up on Romney was included below the fold and McCain received an even smaller article on page 2.
I’m not ready to endorse anyone yet, but remove McCain (too smug and condescending), Guliani (character issues, not strong pro-life) and of course Ron Paul (too looney tooney).
As promised here is my struggle in coming to terms with the death penalty. I believe we are all made in the image of God, that life is precious and unless you are defending yourself, your family or country, the end of a life is God’s decision. There are many crimes that are so heinous that the perpetrator does not deserve to live. Though we have may have not committed a crime we are all fallen and deserve death. I am so thankful for Redemption. If there is redemption for me there can be redemption for anyone. Only God gets to decide who has gone so far they cannot be redeemed. Since I am not a sociologist or a theologian, the article below written by my son Steven to Father Jonathan at Fox News says what I feel much more eloquently.
Father Jonathan,
I enjoyed your article on capital punishment. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. As I read, a few thoughts of my own came to mind, so I thought I would share. I hope you enjoy. (I will tell you as a disclaimer of sorts that I am an evangelical Christian minister. That may help you read my comments from the intended perspective.)
My observation is that we, as humans and especially as Christians, are a dichotomy of views. One set of views originates from our natural, sinful pull toward carnal fulfillment, and the other from the transformed, Spirit-enlightened understanding of the love of God toward man.
As this pertains to capital punishment, I find that the Christian world all too often mistakes carnal justice for God's justice, as well as our vengeance for God's. In the end, are we not taught that ultimate vengeance is God's alone? My carnal mind wants to dictate what is "deserved" by evil men and women and then see that sentence carried out. It seems that I conveniently forget that if not for the blood of Christ, my sense of"justice" would require a similar fate for myself. I'm reminded that by the grace of God and the blood of Christ, I do not receive what I deserve, but find mercy so that I may be restored to the place of God's purpose in my creation. Why would I desire anything less for another human being, perhaps no more or less sinful and deserving of punishment than myself? It seems a very dangerous road to travel when we begin assigning severity to sin in a spiritual sense, thereby justifying our own transgressions by contrast. I only see that road ending in a spiritual self-delusion of grandeur. Definitely not the mind of God.
When I prayerfully consider the issue of life, I find that God's love in me yearns for those who have transgressed, no matter the transgression, to find redemption so that they may not perish without God's gift of salvation. Of course, my carnal mind's demand for justice in the face of man's atrocities fights this most "unnatural" proclivity toward mercy and leaves me desperately asking God to reveal more of His nature in my life.
While I fully believe that man's justice should be carried out upon those who break the law, I find myself wondering why I would want anyone to die, especially if it means that in the process they lose the gift that God desires for each of us. That gift is His incredible offer of salvation and restoration.In conclusion, I'm left with a single question regarding all of life'sissues: Why do many Christians feel that they have the right and freedom to compartmentalize life into any areas where the will of God is not considered, nor is it welcomed?
I believe that Christians of all denominations are similar in this way...many are committed to their relationship with God and want to consider Him in all aspects of life, and many only want a convenient relationship with an impersonal and unmeddling deity. If the people of God truly want to change the world and see the will of God done on Earth as it is in Heaven, then I believe we must begin to consider God's will and His Word in every aspect of our lives and our philosophies. We must put down the insistence of our carnal mind to run the show, and be transformed by the Spirit (Romans12:2). As far as I understand in my limited enlightenment, hatred and anger toward the unenlightened is not part of God's transformation of the human soul. For the Christian, there should be no belief established or action committed that is not somehow affected by the presence of God in our life.
Although I have strong political views, I am not an activist. My humanity supports capital punishment for reasons of deterrence and retribution, but as I have shared, this seems to be greatly at odds with my relationship with God and the love that He has placed within me. As such, I desire greatly toturn over every aspect of my life to Him, knowing that my life and mind in His control is what is best.
Thanks for reading. Any comments you have would be very welcome. I truly enjoy your column.
God bless!
Steven D. Niswonger Associate Pastor
Redemption Ministries
http://www.redemptionsaginaw.org/
I’m not ready to endorse anyone yet, but remove McCain (too smug and condescending), Guliani (character issues, not strong pro-life) and of course Ron Paul (too looney tooney).
As promised here is my struggle in coming to terms with the death penalty. I believe we are all made in the image of God, that life is precious and unless you are defending yourself, your family or country, the end of a life is God’s decision. There are many crimes that are so heinous that the perpetrator does not deserve to live. Though we have may have not committed a crime we are all fallen and deserve death. I am so thankful for Redemption. If there is redemption for me there can be redemption for anyone. Only God gets to decide who has gone so far they cannot be redeemed. Since I am not a sociologist or a theologian, the article below written by my son Steven to Father Jonathan at Fox News says what I feel much more eloquently.
Father Jonathan,
I enjoyed your article on capital punishment. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. As I read, a few thoughts of my own came to mind, so I thought I would share. I hope you enjoy. (I will tell you as a disclaimer of sorts that I am an evangelical Christian minister. That may help you read my comments from the intended perspective.)
My observation is that we, as humans and especially as Christians, are a dichotomy of views. One set of views originates from our natural, sinful pull toward carnal fulfillment, and the other from the transformed, Spirit-enlightened understanding of the love of God toward man.
As this pertains to capital punishment, I find that the Christian world all too often mistakes carnal justice for God's justice, as well as our vengeance for God's. In the end, are we not taught that ultimate vengeance is God's alone? My carnal mind wants to dictate what is "deserved" by evil men and women and then see that sentence carried out. It seems that I conveniently forget that if not for the blood of Christ, my sense of"justice" would require a similar fate for myself. I'm reminded that by the grace of God and the blood of Christ, I do not receive what I deserve, but find mercy so that I may be restored to the place of God's purpose in my creation. Why would I desire anything less for another human being, perhaps no more or less sinful and deserving of punishment than myself? It seems a very dangerous road to travel when we begin assigning severity to sin in a spiritual sense, thereby justifying our own transgressions by contrast. I only see that road ending in a spiritual self-delusion of grandeur. Definitely not the mind of God.
When I prayerfully consider the issue of life, I find that God's love in me yearns for those who have transgressed, no matter the transgression, to find redemption so that they may not perish without God's gift of salvation. Of course, my carnal mind's demand for justice in the face of man's atrocities fights this most "unnatural" proclivity toward mercy and leaves me desperately asking God to reveal more of His nature in my life.
While I fully believe that man's justice should be carried out upon those who break the law, I find myself wondering why I would want anyone to die, especially if it means that in the process they lose the gift that God desires for each of us. That gift is His incredible offer of salvation and restoration.In conclusion, I'm left with a single question regarding all of life'sissues: Why do many Christians feel that they have the right and freedom to compartmentalize life into any areas where the will of God is not considered, nor is it welcomed?
I believe that Christians of all denominations are similar in this way...many are committed to their relationship with God and want to consider Him in all aspects of life, and many only want a convenient relationship with an impersonal and unmeddling deity. If the people of God truly want to change the world and see the will of God done on Earth as it is in Heaven, then I believe we must begin to consider God's will and His Word in every aspect of our lives and our philosophies. We must put down the insistence of our carnal mind to run the show, and be transformed by the Spirit (Romans12:2). As far as I understand in my limited enlightenment, hatred and anger toward the unenlightened is not part of God's transformation of the human soul. For the Christian, there should be no belief established or action committed that is not somehow affected by the presence of God in our life.
Although I have strong political views, I am not an activist. My humanity supports capital punishment for reasons of deterrence and retribution, but as I have shared, this seems to be greatly at odds with my relationship with God and the love that He has placed within me. As such, I desire greatly toturn over every aspect of my life to Him, knowing that my life and mind in His control is what is best.
Thanks for reading. Any comments you have would be very welcome. I truly enjoy your column.
God bless!
Steven D. Niswonger Associate Pastor
Redemption Ministries
http://www.redemptionsaginaw.org/
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