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Chief of sinners
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Chuck Colson (Richard Nixon’s “hatchet man”). David Berkowitz (late 70s New York City serial killer “Son of Sam”).
God saves the chiefs of sinners and makes them glorious — in order that grace may be shown to be utterly gracious. That’s how Paul (“Saul”) explained his own conversion (1 Timothy 1:12-16).
We have a hint that Paul also dropped out of the newspapers about that time: “We are treated as imposters, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known” (2 Corinthians 6:8,9). Oh, sure, there was a certain notoriety, and the persecutions. But no respectable Rabbinical school would touch him after he “got religion” and became a gentle, godly man.
One thousand planes a day landing safely in Atlanta is not “news,” I suppose. The media is by nature a rapacious and insensible beast, gobbling sensations at the speed of a swarm of locusts, not looking behind.
No one cares that David Berkowitz has labored joyfully for many years in a special ministry among emotionally troubled fellow inmates about a hundred miles north of New York City, but I was happy all day today just learning about it, and reading his 2002 testimony on Larry King.
About half my personal mail comes from prison inmates these days (thanks mostly to WORLD magazine, and my habit of answering all correspondence). And never have I been so blessed and encouraged.
And as for what’s considered newsworthy, it’s like C.S.Lewis said in his book about heaven, The Great Divorce: “Fame in this country and fame on Earth are two quite different things.”
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End of an illusion
I for one rejoice about Berkowitz. I in general support the death penalty for fiends like him but at the same time, I realize that life in prison with no possibility of parole means more prisons in remote rural areas. That in turn means jobs which cannot be exported. Those jobs contribute to economic developmt.
Some years ago (about 17.5) when I worked at a christian radio station in Worcester, Mass, I heard the Focus on the Family program. It featured an exclusive interview between Doctor James Dobson, and serial killer Theodore “Ted” Bundy. I suppose Bundy granted the interview only to Dobson, because of Dobson’s national stature. During the radio program, there were statements alluding to Bundy’s authentic conversion to Jesus Christ. Bundy knew, because he was convicted for multiple murders, that he would be executed later that week. He mentioned that because he trusted Jesus as savior, he really did not fear the electric chair that would sap his life away. In fact Dr. Dobson reminded Ted because of the grave sins Bundy committed, he would be punished. However, since Bundy accepted Christ, he said he felt an almost surreal peace about “going home”.
Andree, you wrote of those who, like the apostle Paul, were known for egregious sins, but later converted to God’s truth. Add another to your list, ok?
Thanks for the good news about David Berkowitz, et. al. It’s gives me hope for people I am praying for who others think are hopeless. I must admit being shocked that out of all my unsaved druggie cousins, the one I thought least likely to ever be saved got radically saved a few years ago. Why was I so shocked? I had been praying for him to be saved. Now he is a pastor who organises town-wide prayer meetings where he lives, bringing all believers together to pray for revival. God is so cool!
While not active in one; I think that prison ministries are terrific. I read news reports of a system run amok and only breeding worse crime and maladjusted people never capable of re-entering society. A prison ministry is true kingdom work that takes a special person. A special gift.
Terrific news JoanneB. I am very happy for your cousin. A glimpse of the hardest of hearts melt in the presence of the greatest of Grace. To Him be the glory.