There's a lot of talk in NZ about harsher sentences for crimes. In some cases this is a good idea to protect society, stand alongside the victim and hopefully help rehabilitate the criminal. There is a dark side to this however that is rising up. Its the somebody has to pay every time stuff. A lot of it comes from the christian influence in western society that has fed our natural desire to pay back. I think it goes all the way to the Cross. This where Jesus died so we could be with him and enjoy him forever. There are about 5 views of the cross with the 2 most common being the ransom and penal substitution. At risk of oversimplifying the ransom view basically says the the Devil had us and the only way the God could get us back was to pay a ransom....the death of Jesus. The Penal substitution basically says that God had to punish sin and that Jesus took all our punishment so we were free.....this is the most common or well known view. Sadly this view gives rise to the line that someone has to pay before forgiveness can be given. Therefore whether its attacking Afghanistan to pay them back for the twin towers or harsher sentences for everyone its all consistent with this view.
Recently in the Amish country of the USA there was a terrible killing of some Amish by a killer who was not Amish. Normally of course there would be all the baying for blood etc. The Amish however said the killers mother would be devastated at losing her son so they visited her to offer her condolences and support, said they would give her any and all money they got as a result of the killings and went with her to her sons funeral.....wow!
I think they showed that mercy and forgiveness does not have to come only after punishment but can come instead of punishment. The Hindu have a proverb that goes something like this "Its an amazing moment when you let the prisoner free only to find you were the prisoner".
I have no doubt that I am saved by the sacrifice of Jesus but to limit it to our understanding is bizzar and I think will always lead to this sort of wrong thinking. Its something God (including Jesus) did that at best we understand only in part...its probably a bit of all 5 views and a lot more besides. I will understand it in heaven and not fully before. Until the Amish show us what God is like to us and how we can be to each other! I struggle with this......I want to be like them but its not easy...of course they never said it was easy for themselves! The struggle is all part of trying to follow Jesus.

The Christmas statistics are out! The season that we celebrate the Birth of Jesus is the most dangerous time of the year for women and children. The refuges are full and cannot cope with the victims of domestic violence. This of course is evil on a number of fronts.
Firstly the fact that people are not safe in their own homes, have to find refuge and are beaten is evil.
Secondly the fact that it happens at the time of the year we celebrate Christs coming to earth and yet christians are largely silent is evil.
Thirdly the fact that those who give refuge and care to these victims are struggling to cope and their resources are running out is evil.
I cannot see any redeeming things in this.
Maybe its time we stood in solidarity with these women and children and made Christmas a time when we said no to violence both publicly and privately, resourced the refuges and faced the horrors that we currently ignore. Maybe then we would bring Christ back into Christmas...........................................sadly I'm not hopeful!