He killed his wife and children, can he really be forgiven

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Jul 21, 2018
62
40
18
#2
Theoretically yes, there is a route to salvation for him. Now if we discuss the probability of him accepting the ultimate gift, I would say it's extremely unlikely.

He repeatedly lied to the authorities in addition to accusing his wife of smothering their daughters. I might have increased the odds a tiny bit had he turned himself in and confessed to everything right after it happened. At least that would be a sign of remorse. Lying about it and throwing your dead wife that you murdered under the bus doesn't signify to me that he is likely to want to seek Christ.
 

Oncefallen

Idiot in Chief
Staff member
Jan 15, 2011
6,066
3,415
113
#3
Theoretically yes, there is a route to salvation for him. Now if we discuss the probability of him accepting the ultimate gift, I would say it's extremely unlikely.
Stranger things have happened. Both Tex Watson and Susan Atkins of the Manson Family infamy found Christ in prison as did David Berkowitz (Son of Sam).
 
M

Miri

Guest
#4
Stranger things have happened. Both Tex Watson and Susan Atkins of the Manson Family infamy found Christ in prison as did David Berkowitz (Son of Sam).

Then there was Saul/Paul who wanted to murder Christians
Moses who murdered an Egyptian
David who indirectly murdered
 
M

Miri

Guest
#5
Theoretically yes, there is a route to salvation for him. Now if we discuss the probability of him accepting the ultimate gift, I would say it's extremely unlikely.

He repeatedly lied to the authorities in addition to accusing his wife of smothering their daughters. I might have increased the odds a tiny bit had he turned himself in and confessed to everything right after it happened. At least that would be a sign of remorse. Lying about it and throwing your dead wife that you murdered under the bus doesn't signify to me that he is likely to want to seek Christ.
The article suggested he became a Christians after he did these things,
not before.

I don’t know him, but maybe he has since confessed etc. Not sure if there are any
more newspaper articles about this.
 
Nov 26, 2012
3,095
1,050
113
#6
We as humans, raised in a society where immediately we are given sets of right and wrong, accompanied with rewards and punishments to match. We are indoctrined to believe all should abide this system of justice.

There has been advances in technology with brain scans where you can see the physical flaws on our decision making computers. All we know is that this man’s hands did evil things. God knows why, not us. Who knows what torment this man experiences in prison, by others and his conscience?

All I can think is, if he really did confess his sins, and humble himself, giving ownership of his life to the Almighty, then not only will he be saved but potentially used as a greater tool by God than most. “He who has been forgiven much, loves much.”
 

Bingo

Well-known member
Feb 9, 2019
9,225
4,756
113
#7
"And...Guilt shall bear attributes affecting ones mental stability beyond our human rationality .
Each individual shall have their own unique characteristics. Minds being so complex as to each
of their own...being an impossibility to know how someone else is 'thinking'. Each shall live with
the consequences of ones own actions...it is not to judge, for it is of no value,... other than social media
opinions and assumptions, if so felt to do so. We can pray of God's mercy...no more...no less.
Are we not to serve God, to the best of our ability...let us hope so."
'Praise God' hope-in-focus - Copy - Copy - Copy (2).jpg
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
7,585
3,616
113
#8
Mar 22, 2019
88
53
18
#10
Well the lost are lost. But when they become saved they are no longer lost, they are a new creature. Even the man sentenced to death on the cross next to Jesus was given salvation when he turned and repented.

It's terrible some of the things that some people may do. However, when they become saved, their old selves are put to death and they are given a new spirit, Jesus calls this "born again".
 

Jacquie

Junior Member
May 24, 2018
2
0
1
#11
This is a very interesting question. The problem I have is this: If this man is NOT forgiven (does not change or repent TRULY), then does he go to the same place that an atheist goes to ... or any non-Christian? Do they both get the same punishment or is he more evil than an atheist or any other sinner? Or is his sin (killing 4 people (wife, two kids and an unborn child) and the evil things he did after that ... is that worse?
 
M

Miri

Guest
#12
This is a very interesting question. The problem I have is this: If this man is NOT forgiven (does not change or repent TRULY), then does he go to the same place that an atheist goes to ... or any non-Christian? Do they both get the same punishment or is he more evil than an atheist or any other sinner? Or is his sin (killing 4 people (wife, two kids and an unborn child) and the evil things he did after that ... is that worse?

I don’t think sin is viewed that way.

Any sin so bad enough to seperate us from God, whether it’s a little white lie
or murder.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,334
29,581
113
#13
According to Jesus, there is only one unforgivable sin :)
 
L

LadyInWaiting

Guest
#14
If he truly has found Christ and repented then yes! He has been/will be forgiven and is going to enjoy eternal life in the Kingdom of God. I actually think it's amazing. I hope it's true that he did find God in prison.
Of course, it's very heart breaking what he did. It's terrible and there must be something seriously wrong with him to do that. Honestly, I hope he never gets out of jail. But if he really found Jesus, then shouldn't we be celebrating?
 

Didymous

Senior Member
Feb 22, 2018
5,047
2,101
113
#15
I'm more concerned with the lady who was angry about it, and didn't know if it was wrong for her to not want him to know her Jesus. Maybe she knows a different Jesus?
 

blueluna5

Well-known member
Jul 30, 2018
658
393
63
#16
Then there was Saul/Paul who wanted to murder Christians
Moses who murdered an Egyptian
David who indirectly murdered
I think of it as Paul being more of a military man when killing Christians, so more of an obligation? An order?

Moses was angry at the treatment of his family.

David was lust of course.

None of them murdered their kids, wives, other kids, etc. For fun? There is absolutely no verse that specifically mentions serial killer but demon possession is more likely. Still..Christ would overpower the demon possession of course if...they were not lying which comes from the devil anyhow. I guess in theory it's possible but probably not likely they are saved.

My mom always jokes about not wanting to be beside Jeffrey Dahmer in heaven, thinking he's on the very outside layer of heaven. I believe she's thinking of Dantas Inferno. Lol No matter I told her it would definitely be more awkward for him standing next to the people he ate. :/ Sick world sometimes..
 

wolfwint

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2014
3,759
936
113
62
#17
Theoretically yes, there is a route to salvation for him. Now if we discuss the probability of him accepting the ultimate gift, I would say it's extremely unlikely.

He repeatedly lied to the authorities in addition to accusing his wife of smothering their daughters. I might have increased the odds a tiny bit had he turned himself in and confessed to everything right after it happened. At least that would be a sign of remorse. Lying about it and throwing your dead wife that you murdered under the bus doesn't signify to me that he is likely to want to seek Christ.
Well, there is hope, like for everyone, till someone dies, to find salvation.
 
K

Kim82

Guest
#18
Ezekiel 18:21-23 While god forgives, the justice system and the victims and their families may not. There will be consequences for actions.

God says he also disciplines who He loves. Hebrews 12:6
 
Apr 15, 2017
2,867
653
113
#19
https://www.desiringgod.org/intervi...axB5aVy8vsHMeffUZtTxex-0kAhtevLzI4vLBYRhwqZo4

Thought this was interesting although it may raise a few eyebrows.
It’s also useful in respect of the recent forgiveness threads.
Although even where grace abounds, there are still consequences for actions.
He can be forgiven if he truly repents, and is not the same person anymore turning from sins, but the thing is people who are that bad to do such things do many of them change.

The Bible says many are called but few are chosen, but not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called, because not many of them have the heart condition to be called because they like to exalt themselves so much above people, and are arrogant.

People that would do terrible things such as this man would many of them change, for many people that live for God had minor sins in their life, and were not that terrible, although they still needed to be saved, and turn from what little sins they did.

Paul said that he went against the Church, and wasted it, and consented to put to death the Christians, but Jesus got a hold of him, and Saul followed him, and his name was changed to Paul to identify his new character.

Paul was forgiven for his sins, but Paul also was not a typical person that did a terrible thing, and was saved, for Paul was living for God already, and said that he was a Pharisee of the Pharisees, more jealous of the traditions of his fathers, but he did not accept the truth of Jesus, and thought he was doing the will of God.

So when Jesus got a hold of him, he turned quickly to the Lord, for he knew that it had to be God he encountered on the road to Damascus, and found out it is Jesus, so he straightway followed the Lord, for he was already living for God, and could turn quick to the truth, for he could not deny that it was God he encountered, who is Jesus.

But many people that do terrible things such as this man, would they change, which they could change, but it would probably be few unless they have a Damascus road experience like Paul, which they will not get, for Paul was reaching out to the Gentiles so he had to have proof that Jesus is real so he could go without doubting that it is true, and the same with the disciples, but to the rest of the people it is faith, which is why Jesus said blessed is he that has not seen Me, but still believes.

The majority of people that were saved did not really have too bad of a life concerning sins, for they were minor, and few, and they were basically kind of good, and that towards people, which is why they were called, but people that do terrible things would seem like a few of them would be saved, for many of them might not change, although they could change, and be saved.

For when we are truly saved God gives us power, love, and a sound mind, so if they truly repent, and mean it, and receive the Spirit, then their mindset is different, especially when God gives us a sound mind, and they also value human life that they are God's creation, and do not offend them in any way.

It does make us doubt, not that they cannot be forgiven, but would they actually change, for they have to change first before they can be forgiven, for saying I repent of this stealing incident, but holding unto the sin that you would steal again, is not truly repenting, for you are only repenting when you do the act, but holding unto the sin that you might do it again.

He has to know that he will never do it again, and know why it is wrong, and believe it, before he can be forgiven, and have a relationship with God, for we cannot doubt that we may do it again, but we have to know we will never do it again, and know that it is wrong, and not want sins, and hate sins.

We also doubt because we think that so many that go to prison, and say they found God have an angle, an agenda for their own benefit, and not really caring about the truth, and people in prison do not like when you mess with children to harm them, so big Bubba will surely get him, which I do not say that I want that to happen, but he will have trouble.

But he did such a terrible crime that he cannot get a reduced sentence, and he might think it will keep the inmates from harming him if he claims he found God, and is a different man.

He can be forgiven, but there is doubt that he will change, but he can change.
 

breno785au

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2013
6,002
767
113
39
Australia
#20
I don't care what a person has done or where they have come from. If a person turns to the Lord and repents, we will see them at the resurrection.

If some of us can't come to terms with that, you will be the one with the problem on that day.