While the intention of this meeting guide is to justice and forgiveness, the nature of the question may be upsetting for some young people. If you think any damage will be caused, please change the question. It could just as easily be ‘do murderers go to heaven?’
INTRODUCTION
10 minutes
Ask the group to discuss their initial thoughts on this week’s question. Paedophilic acts are criminal offences which often inflict severe physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual damage on the victims. The severity of the crime is heightened by the vulnerability of the victim and often the breach of trust shown by the perpetrator on the victims and their families. Persons who engage in paedophilic activities are often subject to criminal offences as well as being shunned by others within their communities.
Victims of paedophilia are often damaged beyond all recognition and they carry their pain into future relationships and situations. In this session we will be talking about the forgiveness of repentant paedophiles but that does not in any way undo the harm that has been caused to the victim. While God can bring healing and restoration, the crimes committed still remain unquestionably wrong and we must do everything we can to protect and help victims of abuse.
REASONS FOR LAW
10 minutes
Explain that there are different justifications for having laws. Ask your young people whether they agree with these arguments:
- Harm principle: laws exist to prevent people from bringing harm on one another, e.g. prevention of murder and paedophilia.
- Parental principle: laws exist to protect people from themselves, e.g. banning smoking from public places.
- Morality principle: laws which promote the moral principles of the society or government, e.g. laws restricting Sunday trading.
- Donation principle: laws used to give special protection or benefit to certain groups or sections of society, e.g. free prescription medication for over 60s.
- Statist principle laws which protect the government from harm, e.g. laws against treason.
Some people argue that laws limit people’s freedom. On the other hand, laws provide the safety and structure in which individuals, families and groups can flourish and thrive. Discuss whether laws benefit or hinder society.
God’s laws, like the laws set by society, are for the benefit and safety of all. Laws are not set to ‘ruin the fun’ but so that people may fulfil their potential and live peacefully with others. Perhaps use the example of a football game – the best games have the foundation of a clear set of rules, adhered to by the players and justly enforced by the referee.
ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS
10 minutes
Read some UK laws which are in force but seldom followed:
- A horn should not be sounded when stationary on a road at anytime, other than at times of danger due to another vehicle on or near the road.
- It is illegal to sing any profane or obscene song or ballad in any street.
- It is illegal to wilfully and excessively disturb people by ringing their doorbells or knocking at their doors.
Ask what new law your group would like to see in society and how this law would be enforced. Who would ensure it’s followed? What would be the effect of breaking this law?
GOD’S LAW AND MERCY
10 minutes
The Bible says that sin and evil acts are destructive and will incur a penalty – this is as true for ‘greater sins’ such as murder, paedophilia and rape as it is for ‘lesser sins’ such as pride, jealousy, gossip and greed. It is reassuring that God promises to bring justice by punishing wickedness, corruption and sin. Read Deuteronomy 30:15. The Bible is clear that, no matter the severity, all sin separates us from God. Romans 3:23 says, ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ Fortunately that is not the end of the story or the end of the passage. It goes on, ‘And all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.’
JUSTICE AND MERCY
10 minutes
Watch the Two friends clip here. Ask: was it necessary for the judge to give the fine? Was the criminal let off too lightly?
Say: God is a judge who is merciful. It is clear throughout the Bible that God despises injustice and wickedness but he often chooses mercy and forgiveness over deserved punishment. God’s justice is certain but his mercy is his choice, ‘I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy’ (Exodus 33:19).
God’s choice to offer forgiveness, where punishment is appropriate, is fully shown in the death and resurrection of Jesus. God has made the ‘first move’ to offer forgiveness and this offer overcomes sin. Like the judge in the clip, God, in his justice announces the punishment, but in his mercy, he takes the punishment on himself.
Watch the Blood Diamond clip here and ask whether this clip of the father forgiving his son is similar to God forgiving sins. Emphasise that the father, while acknowledging the son’s sins, makes the ‘first move’ towards him in reconciliation and forgiveness because he knows and loves his son and is willing to overlook his evil actions.
HEAVEN AND SIN
10 minutes
There are many different interpretations about heaven, but all agree that in heaven, sin and injustice will be absent and God and his justice will be present. Jesus makes it clear on the cross that even criminals are not disqualified from heaven. He says to the self-confessed guilty robber beside him, ‘Today you will be with me in paradise (heaven).’
Paedophiles are sinners but so are we. We know that there should be no sinners in heaven – a fact which also excludes us. However, we know that those who truly repent can have assurance of their place in heaven because it doesn’t depend on anything they have done but on the mercy of God. A repentant paedophile who has been transformed by the grace of God will be in heaven.
Repentance is the key: a reorientation away from sin towards God. There is nothing that can separate us from the love and forgiveness that is offered in the sacrifice of Jesus on cross. For this reason, provided they have accepted this offer of forgiveness, there will be people who have committed serious and heinous crimes in heaven. This fact shows the power and depth of mercy offered by God through Jesus’ death on the cross and the transforming nature of Jesus’ resurrection which promises that people will be made new in heaven.
Read Romans 8:38-39 and, if appropriate, pray with your group – you may want to lead a time of confession or thank God for his forgiveness.
James Blumer is a theology graduate and a practising lawyer in Central London.
