Iranian Pastor Freed

Youcef Nagarkhani (b. 1977, Iran), a pastor of the Protestant evangelical Church of Iran, was released three days ago after spending the last three years in an Iranian prison under the threat of a death sentence.  What was his crime?  Pastor Nadarkhani was originally charged with the capital crime of apostasy; leaving Islam to follow another religion.  The punishment in Iran for apostasy is death.  Though apostasy is not officially a crime in Iran, judges may still level the charge against a person based on religious fatwas.  Nadarkani insisted that he was never a Muslim; even though he was raised in a Muslim family, he never accepted Islam and, instead, became a Christian as a teenager.  He steadfastly refused to convert to Islam.

Youcef Ndarkhani's wife, Fatemah Pasandideh, was also arrested and charged with apostasy.  She received a sentence of life imprisonment but was released after four months.

International criticism of the charges against Pastor Nadarkani was raised loudly from around the world.
United States president barack Obama said, "The United States condemns the conviction of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani.  Pastor Nadarkhani has done nothing more than maintain his devout faith, which is a universal right for all people."  The British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, also condemned the sentence.

During the three years of his imprisonment, the charges continued to change and eventually included charges of rape, extortion, and baptizing converts.  The charges, in the end, became that Nadarkhani had attempted to evangelize Muslims.  The penalty for this crime was set at three years and the pastor was released for the time he had already served in prison.

Christians around the world are rejoicing that their prayers for Youcef Nadarkhani's safe release have been answered.  Pastor Nadarkhani is to be admired for his absolute refusal to betray his faith.

Good Can Come From Tragedy

Regardless of anyone's opinion on the death penalty (and sincere Christians worldwide are divided on the issue), a beautiful thing happened during the 16 June 2011 execution of Eddie Duval Powell at the prison in Atmore, Alabama (USA).  Duval was executed for the brutal 1995 rape, sodomy, and murder of seventy-year-old Mattie Wesson during a home robbery.

Duval died by lethal injection, holding the prison chaplain’s hand.  Before the execution, he was described as talkative and calm.

Executions in Alabama may be observed by the victim's family and by the family of the person being executed.  Before the procedure began, Duval turned his head toward the observation room and said, "I would like to say I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused to my family and the victim's family. I've made peace with myself and God and hope everyone can move on from this situation." 

"While nothing can ever replace our Mother, Mother-in-law, Grandmother or Aunt, or replace the times we've missed, we take comfort in knowing that justice has been served in this case.  We would like to offer our condolences to the family of Mr. Powell. We truly understand the grief they are experiencing. It is our prayer that Mr. Powell has found forgiveness from our Lord Jesus and that he will spend eternity in Heaven."  The statement was signed by Mrs. Wesson’s sons and their family members.

There are consequences for actions, but even in horrible situations there can be forgiveness and redemption.

“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10