Lewis B. Smedes Quotes
I believe that we should, on biblical grounds, tell all parents of mentally disabled children that God loves their children, regrets terribly that they are disabled, and will, when they die, carry them gently into a heavenly life where every person is forever whole.
Smedes, Lewis B. My God and I: A Spiritual Memoir. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2003, p. 129.
This for many suicide bombers provides much of the motivation and overcomes the prospect of suicide. According to Islamic doctrine, those killed in “the cause of Allah” go immediately to Paradise, unlike those who die a natural death. And when in Paradise, the males get 72 beautiful virgins.
This point of theology is not universally held even amongst Christians. The Spanish Inquisition and much of the Roman Catholic Church in earlier times believed that it was their duty to prevent people from sinning and were opposed to allowing people free choice in moral matters. There are a few Protestant Fundamentalists who feel that way even today, as does much of Islam.
Lewis Benedictus Smedes was a renowned Christian author, ethicist, and theologian in the Reformed tradition. He was a professor of theology and ethics for twenty-five years at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. His 15 books, including the popular Forgive and Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don't Deserve, covered some important issues including sexuality and forgiveness.
