Pastors put Saddam execution in Christian context

December 31, 2006

Compiled by

MARK KELSEY/Frontiersman

Decades of political terror came to an end early Saturday morning when former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was executed. His hanging followed a guilty verdict at a public trial for the deaths of 148 Iraqi Shiites in 1982 after a failed assassination attempt.

During his 24-year reign, Hussein presided over the deaths of hundreds of thousands of his own countrymen, according to estimates by human rights groups. Another million or so died during wars against Iran, Kuwait and the United States. Countless others were kidnapped, imprisoned and tortured.

Area clergymen put Saturday's execution in a Christian context. Weighing the seemingly contradictory Christian tenets of justice and forgiveness, they were asked the following question:

Is there a Christian lesson in the execution of Saddam Hussein?

Nate Sutton

King of Kings Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wasilla

I would underscore the truth that God establishes government and gives government its authority in order to preserve the greatest possible peace and order in the world by punishing evil-doers, rewarding those who do good, and protecting the rights of the law-abiding (Romans 13:1-7).

This authority that God gives government includes the right to impose the death penalty (Rom. 13:4). When governments, such as the Iraqi government, choose to exercise that God-given right, my prayer is that great care has been exercised to ensure that the death penalty be administered justly and impartially. That's my prayer regarding the penalties for all crimes.

In regard to Saddam Hussein's case, he stood trial in an Iraqi court and was found guilty of crimes against humanity in ordering the deaths of 148 Shiite villagers. According to Iraqi law, these crimes are punishable by death. It would certainly seem that Hussein's punishment was administered justly and fairly.

As an individual Christian, I only wish that I would have had an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with Saddam Hussein.

The bigger issue for Saddam was that he had broken God's law. God hates all sin and promises eternal punishment for those who commit sin.

But, in a supreme act of undeserved love, God also sent his Son to pay for the sins of every human being. As despicable and destructive as Saddam's crimes were, Jesus died and rose from the dead for Saddam's sins just as much as he did for my own sins and the sins of the entire world.

John 3:16 says, &#8220Whoever believes in him [Jesus] shall not perish but have eternal life” (NIV). God's forgiveness and eternal life would have been Saddam's through faith in Jesus even though he still faced the death penalty prescribed by his government's law.

I can only gather from the complete lack of remorse Saddam displayed throughout his trial that he did not know Jesus and died in unbelief. That saddens my heart.

Linus Mathis III

Frontier Christian Ministries, Wasilla

Current events, regardless of how intriguing, have no place at my lectern. The opportunity given me to teach God's people is dedicated to the Scripture, period!

Every effort is made to preach the fitly spoken Word. That is, the specific section of God's Word that addresses exactly the needs of those present. God's Word tells us this is as &#8220golden fruit on a silver platter.”

The discussion of current events are best left to the media pundits. Most people are deluged with these things. Church should be a place free from the debilitating assault of worldly negatives. There's enough of that to fill the other six days of the week to the brim.

People need deliverance and solutions for life's dilemmas, not a wannabe talking head.

Jesus was never involved in any such matters. His ministry was not in any way influenced by current events. No biblical record exists of Jesus ever addressing such matters, which even a cursory reading of the Bible confirms. It was, in fact, this disregard for government and politics that motivated Judas to betray Jesus.

Today's clergy could benefit from Jesus' actions and leave these matters to the courts and politicians.

Incidently, there's a huge difference between forgiveness and consequence. Forgiveness demands repentance. Saddam Hussein has not shown any remorse and has rejected forgiveness. If tried under the dictates of the Quran, he would be executed, as Islam legislated capital punishment for murder 14 centuries ago. Likewise if dealt with according to the Babylonian (Babylon-Baghdad-Persia-Iraq) Code of King Hammurabi or Mosaic law.

The death penalty is a severe punishment, but wholesale murder is much more severe. A rabid dog needs to be put down, if for no other reason than the safety of society.

Howard Bess

Church of the Covenant, Palmer

I cannot even imagine Jesus advocating the death penalty for anyone. Jesus said that we had to move beyond &#8220an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”

A careful study of justice in the great prophets shows that justice for them did not mean penalty to fit the crime. Justice is whatever it takes to make everyone whole.

The issue is not justice versus mercy. The issue is how are we to understand justice.

The death of Saddam Hussein will not make anyone whole. Recently, the Amish in Pennsylvania taught us a great lesson. Closure does not come from punishment, but by grace and mercy.

Those who want vengeance simply do not understand the atonement for sins that we receive at the foot of the cross. I will weep in response to the death of Saddam Hussein.

Ethan Hansen

Faith Bible Fellowship,

Big Lake

The death of Saddam Hussein teaches three great lessons. The first lesson is that the penalty for murder is capital punishment. Genesis 9:6 says, &#8220Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man.” God spoke these words after Noah stepped off the ark. The purpose of government is to restrain sin. Saddam Hussein was certainly guilty of murder.

The second great lesson is that God ultimately provides perfect justice. Romans 12:19 says, &#8220'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' saith the Lord.” Unless Saddam Hussein repents and receives the forgiveness offered by Jesus he faces a horrific fate. Failure to do so will result in hell and the lake of fire. His sins against an infinite God demand an infinite punishment.

The third lesson is that these events are a challenge to my own life. My life will end one day. What is the legacy that I will leave? Jim Elliot said, &#8220He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Now is the time to turn to Jesus and trust in His sacrifice. Live for Him because this life is very, very brief.

Phil Markwardt

Crossroads Community Church, Palmer

Saddam's execution is a reflection of what he practiced. In the Bible it says. &#8220Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7 (NIV). Saddam is reaping the results of his actions.

That is not, however, the total picture. God practices both justice and mercy.

One of the thieves hanging on the cross next to Jesus asked Jesus to remember him when he entered heaven. Jesus told the thief that he would be in paradise that very day.

The thief, therefore, reaped the wages of his lifestyle by Roman law, but also gained eternal life by God's grace. This free gift is available to every person - even to Saddam. By accepting God's gift, we are received into God's family, because of Jesus' sacrifice and not by our deeds.