From: mussack@innerdoor.austin.ibm.com (Christopher Mussack)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re: Dodd and Gandi
Date: 11 Jan 93 08:41:37 GMT

dan@ingres.com (a Rose arose) compares Gandhi and recently 
executed murderer Wesley Allen Dodd .
[ ...
So, it would appear that Dodd may have died a christian while Gandi 
probably did not.

As christians, we know we are saved by grace received through faith.  
But, how do you all feel about this?  Are you ready to kiss 
christianity goodbye or sweep this under the rug or trust randomly 
and blindly, or do you have a sense of peace and comfort knowing 
that the justice of Christ is real?]

I'm not sure I understand your point, or are you just asking
the question?

I will explain my opinion with examples. I obviously can't really
judge anyone's heart, but I will go by what seems to be.

If Adolph Hitler, (common example of ultimate human evil), as he's
sitting in the bunker and the Russian tanks are closing in, 
suddenly realizes the despicable horror of what he has done,
if from the depths of his despair, not at being defeated, but 
fully realizing how sinful he is, offers up to God a sincere
apology and begs forgiveness for his sins just as a shell pierces
the wall and he is blown to bits, then he will go to heaven.
Sound unfair? Sound offensive to the millions of people he killed
and tortured, indeed the entire world including future populations
that take his ideas of hate and infect our planet with evil to
this day? Is it even possible that such an evil man could have
a sincere change of heart, coincidentally at the end of his life
that was dedicated to promoting evil? I think it is possible,
with God, that this could have happened, and if I'm completely
honest I must admit that I don't know where Hitler currently resides.

However, given what I know about Mahatma Gandhi, not just his
good works, but his philosophy of peace and love, I don't think
he is excluded from paradise simply because he never professed
faith in Jesus Christ.

Suppose a T.V. evangelist, (unamed), is extremely proficient at
raising money, which he uses to fund a mission in South America
which provides a hospital, school, and church to an empoverished
village, lives his life to the utmost ethical standards, 
daily professing his commitment to Jesus, yet mentally tallying 
up the "brownie points" he cockily is sure he is accumulating, 
while looking down his nose at people he is helping.
He might not necessarily go to heaven.

For the Hitler case, I site the good thief at the cross with 
Jesus. For Gandhi, I site the parable where Jesus lets into
heaven the people who fed the hungry, clothed the naked, etc.
Notice in the story the people didn't realize they were really
clothing and feeding Jesus. For the insincere evangelist I
site where Jesus says "Not everone who calls out 'Lord, Lord'
will enter the kingdom."

Maybe this is what the Protestants mean when they say no one
earns salvation. In the conventional sense, Hitler did not earn
heaven in the above scenario. However, if he had lived after making
his prayer of desparation, somehow escaped, he would have to live
his life differently. He would have to try to use his leadership
skills to mend the broken world he had produced. If he escaped
and tried to continue his reign of dominance, he would be no better
off than before. I guess that's the point, I don't know all the "ifs"
but God does. I agree with our moderator who says we will be 
surprised by who we see. I'm hoping not a few will be surprised to 
see me. 8-)

Please realize I am not judging anyone, for good or bad, this opinion 
is merely academic speculation. If I am off-base I am sure the
readers will gently guide me back. 8-)

Chris Mussack