FREEWAY TO DEATH |
Recently David MacIcker, the first victim of Freeway Killer William
Bondin, was interviewed on a popular TV investigative talk show.
The reason was the death penalty was again being discussed as
to its relevance for our enlightened 20th century.
You see, David MacIcker back in 1975 was kidnapped , brutalized,
raped and left for dead by serial killer, William Bondin.
Fortunately this young man survived, and was later able to identify
his attacker who was subsequently tried and sentenced to prison
for 15 years to life. As time went on, David, who struggled to
recover from his lifelong scars of the brutal assault and rape,
began reading in the newspapers about a strange new rash of freeway
deaths in Southern California, that turned up the broken and brutalized
bodies of victims dumped along the highway. David MacIcker, was
all too familiar with the "M.O." his attacker some years
before had done to him, and recognized it in the deaths of these
young men. Although he survived, these victims didn't. So, David
called the police and asked them if William Bondin was still in
prison. What he found out shocked him.
After 2 ½ years in prison, William Bondin the brutal rapist
was set free by the California prison board. Apparently, it was
judged he was rehabilitated and therefore no further incarceration
was necessary.
However, after David called the police, they immediately began
an intensive search for William Bondin in connection with these
freeway killings. In just two weeks, they found him and arrested
him for these brutal rapes and murders. But the damage was done.
William Bondin had, since release from prison, killed 21 innocent
victims.
How sad that our society sees that crime does not need punishment
any more. As a result of our liberal God denying socialists, we've
turned our prisons into comfortable mental hospitals, were we
work to rehabilitate the victims whose abnormal behavior is seen
as something to rescue. Yet how sad for these 21 men who had to
die violent deaths at the hands of this insane demented killer,
for our society failing to execute punishment against brutal criminals.
However, a proper ending to this story came about recently for
William Bondin was finally sentenced to death and was executed
in San Quentin prison by lethal injection. In the gallery watching
Bondin's last moments were reporters, politicians, family members
of the 21 tortured and murdered victims, and the only one to survive
Bondin's killing spree, David MacIcker.
In one of the many interviews David had, he reported that only
when he could see and know that Bondin was dead, could he have
peace in his soul. David said, "I was having nightmares
every night, reliving what had happened to me…"
That is, David said until, he was able to finally witness this
freeway killer's just sentence of death. Upon his death, David
again said, "Since I've seen the execution, I've gone
to bed and I've not seen anything like those nightmares in my
dreams anymore."
Yes, friend the death penalty for crimes worthy of it, is still
the issue in our nation today. Many people struggle with the idea
of bringing a death sentence today upon anyone for any reason.
Even this one surviving victim ,David MacIcker, said to a California
radio talk show host, the hardest verse of Scripture to comprehend
in light of the execution of his perpetrator, was one of the 10
Commandments which says, "Thou shalt no kill" ( Exo.20:13).
Well friends, let's talk about it. Is Capital Punishment Christian?
Public opinion regarding it has drastically changed in the last
40 years. Many people including some Christians are opposed to
it. Moreover, many opponents have been successful to have it
removed as a penalty for any crime, no matter how heinous. Opponents
site that to execute a prisoner is cruel and ineffective, and
these foes of capital punishment often have in their camp many
religious leaders who say God did away with such relics of penology
by the Christian faith.
Then again, opponents of the death penalty numerously says that
the criminal is not responsible for what he does. Society is the
real culprit who has given the criminal a poor environment of
family life and upbringing. Besides, punishment should be eliminated
and in its place we should work toward rehabilitating the true
victim, the perpetrator of the crime itself.
Fortunately, since brutal crime and murder is on the upswing,
a number of states have reenacted the death penalty for heinous
crimes. Although the bleeding heart liberals and modern sociologists
and behaviorists continue to cry against it - public opinion has
risen sharply demanding justice for crimes worthy of death. However,
friend as the time on our broadcast is short, let me take today's
illustration to present to you the truly Biblical view of crime
and punishment.
Now as a foundation , as believer in God's Word I hold to the
historic Christian view that capital punishment has always been
God's righteous means of upholding and protecting the sanctity
of human life. I see in Scripture there are basically four
distinct reasons to uphold this just punishment for crimes
of personal violence and murder.
(1) GOD HAS ALWAYS DEMANDED IT,
(2) IT IS REASONABLE AND JUST,
(3) IT INDEED IS AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT, AND
(4) IT IS GOD'S CLEAR PLAN TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT.
Now our first reason is, (1) GOD HAS ALWAYS DEMANDED IT.
For starters, God established the principle of capital punishment
early in human history. We read in,
Genesis 9:1-6 (NIV - selected verses) "Then God blessed
Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase
in number and fill the earth. .. 3 Everything that lives and
moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants,
I now give you everything… 5 And for your lifeblood I will
surely demand an accounting. ..And from each man, too, I will
demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. 6 "Whoever
sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in
the image of God has God made man."
This clear statement from God told Noah that in the new world
he and his children were to populate, God demanded that anyone
who took the life of another, was to suffer the same fate as punishment.
What was the basis for this? Listen to the last part of Gen.
9:6., for it said, human life is sacred, for it is God's very
image. To strike and kill God's image, is to strike at God Himself.
Therefore God in His perfect holiness and justice decreed death
to any and all who take the life of another.
Yet, there are religious opponents of the death penalty today,
who claim, that the 10 Commandments which include, "Thou
shalt not kill." (Exo. 20:13), speak against executing
criminals. However this is one of the most misquoted verses of
Scripture. The Hebrew words Moses spoke on behalf of God do not
say this at all. The text literally reads "You
shall not murder with malice." That is, intentionally,
with premeditation, or unjustifiably take other human life. This
correct understanding, left room for soldiers, police, and individuals
who must in the course of duty kill another to protect lives and
property. Such killing is not a violation of this commandment.
Only the personal, willful, unjustified killing of another is.
Therefore human government is not guilty of murder to execute
criminals worthy of the death penalty, but rather they are God's
instrument to carry out such justice on His behalf; for God in
His Word from cover to cover clearly demands capital punishment
for crimes that are so worthy.
Now some teach that when Jesus came on the scene, he abolished
the Old Testament law of God. However, again the verses used to
dissolve the death penalty God demanded, are wrongly interpreted
and used and misapplied. In the Gospels, Jesus always upheld God's
law of justice as well as the ceremonial laws of Israel too. We
read in,
Matthew 5:38-39 (NIV) ""You have heard that it
was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you,
Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right
cheek, turn to him the other also."
Now from reading this portion of Scripture alone one might conclude
that perhaps Jesus was abolishing the death penalty as Old Testament
law not for today. However, we must never interpret the Scriptures
without hearing all it has to say. For in further reading Jesus'
words we find he also said,
Matthew 5:17 (NIV) ""Do not think that I have
come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish
them but to fulfill them."
Matthew 5:21-22 (Paraphrased) ""Under the laws
of Moses the rule was, 'If you murder, you must die.' 22 But I
further define that rule and tell you that if you are only angry,
even in your own home, you are in danger of similar judgment!
If you call your friend an idiot, you are in danger of being brought
before the court of heaven. And if you curse him, you are in danger
of God's decree of second death, the eternal fires of hell."
Here we see, Jesus did not call for an end to the law of crime
and punishment. Rather, He actually reinforced it. He was saying
the death penalty still stands and that even in heaven its penalty
will be carried out. So an "eye for an eye" still stands,
which simply means punishment must fit the crime. Yes, from cover
to cover the Bible says God demands capital punishment be carried
out by governments for the high crime of murder.
Now the second reason why capital punishment is biblical is (2)
IT IS REASONABLE AND JUST. Critics today cry it is unreasonable
and unjust to take the life of another. Yet the opposite is true.
How can human life ever be held sacred, unless there is a penalty
fit for the crime? To grant life in prison today is ridiculous.
There these murderers are cared for and given all the creature
comforts of life in general. In fact, their crimes reveal that
all murderers believe in the death penalty, for they carried it
out on their victims, destroying them and their families too.
But more, deep down in every man's heart we know there is no justice
unless death is decreed for blood thirty criminals. So, the death
penalty is not barbaric or cruel it is just and right. Why even
those who are often executed testify themselves that they agree
with their punishment. A repentant killer instinctively knows
the only way he can rightly pay for his crime is to give up his
life in exchange.
Now the third reason why the death penalty is right and biblical
is , (3) IT INDEED IS AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT. Now I know
many today constantly cry it is not. But the Bible says it is!
That is, if it is carried out properly and completely. Statistics
bear this out. Since 1960 when capital punishment was basically
discontinued, the number of murders rose sharply. There was a
96% increase while the population grew only 15%. This figure has
remained somewhat constant through the years until lately. What
has brought this change or fall in the rate? The answer is, states
are reenacting the death penalty. Now undeniably capital punishment
fails to deter some murderers, even in an ideal society, but no
one not even God's Word promises it will deter every murder. Capital
punishment is justice first, and a deterrent as a by-product.
Yet the Bible reinforces this too. We read in,
Ecclesiastes 8:11 (NIV) "When the sentence for a crime
is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled
with schemes to do wrong."
Romans 13:3-4 (NIV) "For rulers hold no terror for
those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to
be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right
and he will commend you. 4 For he is God's servant to do you good.
But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword
for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment
on the wrongdoer."
Scripture teaches that consistent swift and just punishment will
always deter the vast majority of violent crime. Yet we do not
do this today. More than 1000 men are now on death row, some of
them for twenty years. Yet, the Bible says if done biblically
its deterrent would be effective.
Now the fourth reason for the carrying out the death penalty is,
(4) IT IS GOD'S CLEAR PLAN TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT.
Paul the great apostle gives us the greatest understanding
of law and society in the book of Romans. Particularly we read
in,
Romans 13:1-4 (NIV) "Everyone must submit himself
to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except
that which God has established. The authorities that exist have
been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against
the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and
those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers
hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.
Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then
do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God's servant
to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not
bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath
to bring punishment on the wrongdoer."
No society on earth can exist in peace and tranquillity until
it establishes a government to control crime in the form of sin
and evil. Citizen's need protection against the predators who
seek to rob, kill and abuse law abiding citizens. One who murders
is put to death for one simple reason. He deserves his own penalty
inflicted on the innocent victims, and, he will never be allowed
to kill again. William Bondin would never have killed the 21 other
men, if he had been executed for his viscous brutal crime of kidnapping,
rape and attempted murder. Studies today show that most brutal
rapists and murderers who are caught are usually repeat offenders.
This is why God decreed death to such criminals - so they would
no longer prey on law abiding society and citizens. Paul the apostle
says,
Romans 13:4 (Paraphrased) "The governing authority
is sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong,
of course you should be afraid, for the governing authority will
punish you.. Governing authorities are sent by God for that very
purpose."
Friend, many sincere Christians along with the bleeding heart
liberals oppose capital punishment on what they believe are logical
or even biblical grounds. But I believe these four reasons simply
stated and substantiated from the Scripture, affirm we as a society
must get back to the Bible if we are to maintain decency, order,
peace and tranquillity. God has given us lawful government and
has given us his rules to live by. Only if we follow them will
we avoid the terrible crime and chaos that is rapidly consuming
our nation. By God's grace, let us call for such order, and may
we most of all see that God's righteous justice also applies to
every one of us too who have broken God's laws of the universe.
Did you know the Bible says that anyone who breaks God's laws
for life is subject to His decree of death? Maybe this is why
so many are against the death penalty. They know deep in their
hearts if it is right, they must also affirm God's right to execute
all who disobey His rules for life in eternity. The Bible says,
Ezekiel 18:4 (NIV) "For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son--both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die."
Romans 6:23 (NIV) "For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Revelation 20:11-15 (NIV) "Then I saw a great white
throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his
presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead,
great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.
Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were
judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.
13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades
gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged
according to what he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown
into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15
If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he
was thrown into the lake of fire."
Oh my friend, God is holy, just and righteous. He will, as He
has said in the Bible, "by no means clear the guilty."
Yet. Thanks be to God He has also said He will pardon ever sinner,
if they permit true justice to be accomplished. "The soul
that sins shall die," says God's law. Yet God, a perfect
just judge ,found a way to honor His law and yet pardon the sinner.
God solved the problem by dying for the sinner Himself. This is
the GOOD NEWS of the Bible. Christ, God in human flesh came to
die for you and me, to pay our penalty of death decreed for disobedience
to His laws for life. And, all who apply for God's pardon by accepting
and trusting in Jesus Christ as their sin bearer and Lord will
be set free. Have you received Christ? If not, you like millions
of the human race are sitting on death's row, awaiting the eternal
judgment that will surely come. If you die in this state, you
will suffer eternal death in that place called Hell. There there
is no pardon, no escape once death claims our lives. Therefore
it is important to settle the account now. Receive Jesus Christ
into your life. Believe that He died for your sins as the Bible
says. Trust Him now as your Savior And your God, and have the
peace and assurance of life now and for eternity.
But to refuse Jesus in this life friend, is to accept God's just
sentence of death. For all of us have sinned against God's laws.
There is not one human being who can say they have never disobeyed
God's commandments, and fully and perfectly followed every one
of them. No we are all sinners, some worse than others, but God's
law says,
James 2:10 (NIV) "For whoever keeps the whole law
and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of
it."
May the just Judge of the universe the Creator God Himself Jesus Christ free you from sins penalty and may God's pardon grant you His new life more abundantly.
May God add this blessing to your heart for Jesus sake. Amen.
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Resources & Suggested Reading:
The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures.A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request.These weekly radio commentaries can be heard in selected areas around the nation. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for 16 years, and serves as General Director. These transcripts are available free of charge to all who desire them. Also available are radio cassette tapes and printed booklets of each message. A free listing of all messages is available upon request also.
For further information, reprints, or a listing of all topics, please write to our speaker,
Dennis L. Finnan(wwyfin@sparc.isl.net), or visit our webpage at [ http://www.isl.net/wwyweb.html ].