Texas Man Executed for Murder Over 20 Years Ago

Reuters ^ | 01-25-2005 | Reuters

[Paleo Conservative]

The Caller-Times had not yet posted today's new stories at the time this thread was started. I posted a quote of a story run in yesterday morning's Caller-Times that was published prior to the execution to this thread.

[TChris]

It is by grace that we are saved, not by works.

True, but Jesus has taught that good works are a requirement to receive His grace. The two are not mutually exclusive, but one is required to receive the other. He gives His grace to those who repent and follow Him.

The Master Himself taught that a person must do his teachings, not just hear them:

Matthew 7:24 - Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Again, when asked the specific question: "...what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" Jesus responded, "...if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." (Matthew 19:16-17)

Jesus again taught that good works are a requirement for salvation:

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Paul taught the same:

Romans 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Emphasis added)

After these passages, read all of the second chapter of James. It teaches again that good works are a requirement.

I would never presume to wrest judgment from Him whose right it is to judge. But He and His prophets have plainly taught the principle that good works are required to receive that grace which will save. I will readily stand up for the truths He has taught, which are not mine.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Thanks for the comments and the expansion on the subject of grace and works. However, in this particular case it seemed to me you were saying that the life led by this individual prior to his accepting God had already condemned him to Hell. If so, that seems to negate the central principle of Christianity, that Jesus had been predicted, born, lived and taught, died on the cross for our sins, and then arose and ascended into Heaven. His message was that anyone who believed in him, and accepted his teachings, would not die but would have everlasting life, not in Hell, but at his side in Heaven. If this man accepted Christ as his personal savior, repented of his sins, and thereafter followed Christ's teachings, the Bible says he will go to Heaven. The parable of the prodigal son seems to address this very point. From the article posted we do not know when he was save nor what his conduct was after. Whether God accepted him into Heaven we do not know because we cannot know the man's heart, but to say, "No dice, ain't gonna work.", is against many of the teachings of the Bible.

[ichabod1]

Oh, come on, give the guy a break. It was a really long time ago. And dude was only holding $13. I don't condone it, but I understaaaannnd.

[ichabod1]

every killer is now "retarded".

Yes, and every "special needs" school is full of thugs and gangstas.

[ichabod1]

"OK. Bob, now crash the red one."

How 'bout your car, Bob? Luv that commercial...

[FreedomCalls]

Offender info here:

http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/statistics/deathrow/drowlist/kunkle.jpg

[TChris]

If this man accepted Christ as his personal savior, repented of his sins, and thereafter followed Christ's teachings, the Bible says he will go to Heaven.

I mostly agree with you. I think the rub is in his repentance. I simply don't think repentance is possible in the case of murder.

I believe that an important part of repentance is the restitution of that which was taken by the sinner. The repentant liar must do all he can to bring the truth to light. The repentant thief must restore that which was stolen. I think that restitution is impossible in the case of murder, so repentance is not possible. Perhaps this is why execution is the prescribed punishment for murder in the NT. I believe a murderer has forfeited his salvation.

However, you are correct when you point out that only God knows his heart. He will judge, and do so with perfect justice and mercy. Without a doubt, he will be better off if he has truly accepted Christ than he would have been without Him.

[SerpentDove]

"I made a mistake and I am sorry for what I did."

Sounds to me like he did it on purpose. And I'm sure he WAS sorry he got executed.

[Boot Hill]

"I wish California would catch up to Texas in this category. We have over 650 on death row.....time to put in an express lane."

I was just looking over some of your recent posts and came across this one.

We don't need to catch up to Texas on the number of people we put on death row, we have way more than Texas. Our problem is in the follow through. It never occured to the lame-brains living here that putting a person on death row actually meant that they were supposed to kill a few, every now and then! Hard concept, I know.

The following map is from three years ago, but I'm sure the numbers have gone up considerably since then, I just couldn't find anything newer.

--Boot Hill