As far as I can tell Al Megrah did not admit guilt much less show genuine remorse. To let a guilty person out of jail prior to their sentence being up, who is unrepentant, because they are sick, is to leave a complete lack of justice in the mouths of all those who crave it. The bible clearly gives government the right to enforce the law. I would say no to a second chance based on the lack of repentance. Why would you let a convicted bomber who is about die out of jail? What kind of deterrent would he have should he decide to engage in similar activity again? Unfortunately our actions have consequences that sometimes lead us to lose the privileged positions we once had.

Another friend also had a cousin on death row who was killed by the state of Missouri in 2005, I believe. This cousin requested that my friend be his chaplain in the final hours leading up to his death. She described hour-by-hour the events leading up to his execution and after his execution. Sadly, my friend reported that she watched the interviews with the victim’s family after the execution and their lack of peace was palpable because their anger was not resolved, but rather stirred up, by retribution.

The law “an-eye-for-an-eye” in the Old Testament was not intended for retribution–in fact, retribution is not the intent of this OT law. In a Mesopotamian society where stealing could be punished by the severing of a hand (disproportionate punishment with regards to the crime committed), this law actually encouraged restraint. One was only able to take one eye for one eye. Retribution does not bring healing for the victim’s family or the perpretrator’s family and the biblical law understood this. However, the law recognizes that crimes cannot go unpunished lest injustice of another form run rampant in a community. So what are we as Christians to do? Definitive answers are elusive.

I watched a movie last year that was profound–as we forgive (http://www.asweforgivemovie.com)-regarding how to treat murderers of the Rawandan genocide who returned to the villages in which they had murdered brothers, mothers, and fathers. One cannot live as if the crimes have not occurred–one cannot merely lock hands, singing kumbaya and release all prisoners. Yet unforgiveness is cancerous. This movie captured this inexplicable tension that only the gospel can somehow shine light onto. This movie captured the sheer impossibility of forgiveness and yet the sheer miraculous nature of forgiveness when it truly occurs.

So do we forgive the terrorist? The gospel says yes. Does forgiveness entail releasing the terrorist? Not necessarily. Does the gospel call us to seek retribution? No. When I hear conservative talk show hosts spouting “Christian” support for the death penalty upon the grounds of retribution, my heart hurts for the marring of the gospel. May our hearts not grow embittered toward our fellow humans who are capable of monstrosity and beauty alike.

Anywho, I look forward to worshiping with you and your lovely wife at church on Sunday. I was already looking forward to seeing the Nolans & the Prices yesterday! It is nice to have a church family, again, after wandering about for a few months!

—Laura