Saddam Execution
Thank God for Justice!
"Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—
the LORD detests them both." - Prov. 17:15
The execution of Saddam Hussein earlier tonight was a beautiful thing. I don't mean beautiful in that the details of his death have some aesthetic value, but rather that justice has been served in the most appropriate way. To me, and I believe to God as well, this is beautiful.
I think as Christians we often forget that, to God, letting a guilty person off for his crimes is no different than punishing an innocent person. Both ignore justice, a foundational trait of God's character, and something he requires of us. "God is just," says Paul (II Thes. 1:6a), and we read God's commands to Israel, which say:
"Do not pervert justice or show partiality... Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you." - Deut. 16:19-20
Justice is a requirement for having order and peace in a land, and Saddam's execution helps bring that to the country of Iraq.
As I heard today of his imminent hanging, something in me was stirred. I became joyful, and somewhat elated. While I prayed for his eternal salvation, I couldn't help but feel that a divine requirement was to be fulfilled on earth - that the justice that so many have sought for so many years was finally at hand, and that goodness and righteousness were about to prevail over evil in an act that people so foolishly call inhumane and archaic.
I, for one, praise God that Saddam is dead by execution. I know God is pleased as well.
posted by Chris Hill @ 12/30/2006 02:09:00 AM
11 comments
11 Comments:
While I disagree with capital punishment; there's no doubt the about the nature of Saddam and what he "deserved". Considering the verse you quoted; I wonder if you have a comment about another item. Since G. Ford's death; the subject of his pardon (before trial) of Nixon has been discussed. Would you then condem that pardon?
Deryll
George W. Bush
The Lord's Chosen
Your Majesty,
There is only one course left for you to take now that Saddam bin Laden is finally dead. You must give a speech in prime time detailing your long battle against this man. Your father should be made to kneel down beside you as you address the nation, so that once and for all, the world will know that you are a better man and a greater leader than him. Saddam's dead, naked body should be draped over the podium as you speak, and once you've finished, you should have your way with it to demonstrate that you've achieved the only thing you ever really wanted to accomplish in Iraq, the total domination of the man your father couldn't control, not with weapons sales or war. Then, you should bring our troops home.
Heterosexually yours,
Gen. JC Christian, patriot
George W. Bush
The Lord's Chosen
Your Majesty,
There is only one course left for you to take now that Saddam bin Laden is finally dead. You must give a speech in prime time detailing your long battle against this man. Your father should be made to kneel down beside you as you address the nation, so that once and for all, the world will know that you are a better man and a greater leader than him. Saddam's dead, naked body should be draped over the podium as you speak, and once you've finished, you should have your way with it to demonstrate that you've achieved the only thing you ever really wanted to accomplish in Iraq, the total domination of the man your father couldn't control, not with weapons sales or war. Then, you should bring our troops home.
Heterosexually yours,
Gen. JC Christian, patriotbilqkb
Regarding Ford's pardon of Nixon, I do not know enough to make a very intelligent response. It was before my time. All I know is that Nixon resigned in disgrace, and it could be argued that justice was, in fact, fulfilled as a result. It was not an example of "acquitting the guilty," although you may disagree with the manner in which justice was sought. I don't know if much more was required, and Ford's pardon of him may have been best for everyone. Keep in mind too that, biblically speaking, there are cases where one may be pardoned to an extent if they take action appropriate to their crime (i.e., run to Cities of Refuge). Publicly acknowledging ones crime and seeking restitution certainly can change consequences required by justice. Nixon's resignation could be considered one of these cases.
To the other anonymous comment(s) made, there is nothing intelligent to respond to. Do you have a point to make?
The pardon of Nixon was indeed "acquiting the guilty". Yes, Ford argued that the pardon was necessary for the country to move ahead. I don't know which would be better, having the country face up to what happened would have, I believe, been good; but endless partisan finger pointing would, I believe, have not. Biblically speaking, the wages of sin is death and we all "deserve" to be hung. That God forgives any of us is indeed mind boggeling. Remembering that God forgives us only if we forgive others is sobering and makes me, not excuse Saddam; but careful not to proclaim God's glee over his demise.
Deryll
Well, you could be right regarding more prosecution for Nixon. Like I said, I don't know many details. Regardless, it seems to me that resigning in disgrace was a form justice. He wasn't really "acquitted" since there were consequences he was subject to.
Regarding forgiveness, there is a large difference between laws and hearts. In other words, I can forgive someone and execute them (assuming that act was a just one). If someone killed Saddam in an act of murder, that would certainly be wrong. Because he was killed in an execution, this is good. God is certainly saddened by Saddam's refusal to repent (as am I), but his execution was an act that is God pleasing, and I don't believe God is saddened by that in any way.
I guess I can't guess how God is "feeling" over Sadam's death. But, as the best example I could think of, what if a man had a son whom he loved, who decided to kill a bunch of people of his own free will. The son was caught, tried, found guilty, and killed by the state as punishment for his crimes.
In that situation, I'd be very sad that my son did the things he did, and also very sad that he had to die for them, just though it was. Yes, justice was served, which is a good thing. But, I don't think a father would find too much to be happy about in that situation, regardless.
I don't believe I ascribed emotion to God. I only said that he was pleased. I don't think your analogy fully holds up, because Saddam was never a believer (thus, never a "son" in the biblical sense). Certainly, God created him, and Scripture is clear that God desires no one to perish in eternity, but I don't think the father-son relationship was ever there in God's eyes. God was always open to accept him as a son, but Saddam rejected him. Perhaps a better analogy is a father whose son is given up for adoption from birth, with the option of joining his father's family later. The son goes and does horrible things, never joining his father's family. No relationship was ever built between father and son, so the father has little grief that the son gets justice, although he is certainly saddened that it came to that.
Anyway, using analogies with God is always insufficient.
I havent looked at any of your blog comments since our last, uh, exchange, but curiosity got the best of me on this one. Deryll basically said the same things I was going to so there's no need repeat it. However, I wanted to mention Ezekiel 33:11, it reads "...As I live, declares the Lord, I have NO pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live..." So actually, God is NOT pleased with Saddam's execution. He is pleased only if this soul has repented. In fact, God actually has pleasure in the death of the righteous. (Psalm 116:15) How different are God's ways from our own!
Also, Laura's analogy is really quite accurate. Stop and think about the prodigal son. If he had not returned, dont you think his father would have been deeply saddened by his own son's death? I dont see how a good father could possibly be pleased.
No need to reply, just some things to think about.
-Dominic
Dominic,
I believe you are missing the eternal natures of God, such as that he exists in full righteousness and full grace at the same time. In other words, God is unchanging, thus his traits are also unchanging. So God can be both full of hatred towards someone (yes, the bible does talk of God's hatred), as well as have love towards that same person. Both exists fully.
I did not say that God was gleeful over Saddam's execution, only that he was pleased. Remember, too, that in Revelation, those who were martyred cry out to God for vengeance on their killers (the bible says that "vengeance is God's", not that "vengeance is bad"). God is most certainly pleased when justice is carried out. He is saddened by Saddam's refusal to repent, but in no way is he saddened by the execution.
You're quoting of Ezekiel is rightfully placed (I alluded to it earlier, but always forget the reference - thanks). However, I don't believe it speaks to earthly death as much as it speaks to eternal death. Also, I may add that I don't believe that you're understanding that "God... has pleasure in the death of the righteous" is correct. That just doesn't stand with God's character throughout the bible. The passage says the death is "precious" to God, not that God is "pleasured" by it.
Anyway, I've been working for about 17 hours and have to get up in about 5, so I'm going to bed. Sorry if any of this didn't make sense.
Don't know how long this will be up, but worth checking:
http://media2.foxnews.com/010507/010507_hc_miller_300.wmv
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