I recently watched a television show about medical scientists who conducted examinations of cadavers to determine how the people died and/or how they were killed. The scientists examined the remains carefully, looking for clues in the tissues, bones, and blood. Who were these people, and how did their lives end? And who or what was responsible for their demise?
Such shows are fascinating, especially with their mixture of science, mystery, and human drama in each case. For many years, shows like CSI and Bones have had held loyal audiences of fans.
So, I began thinking: “What if there were a new show based on spiritual matters? I would call it Forensic Pastor. In every episode, a former pastor, maybe even a pastor emeritus, is called back from retirement to help solve what happened to someone who died. Not for medical reasons, but for spiritual causes. I think the show would be a hit; nothing like it has ever been done..
Pilot episode: The pastor emeritus is sitting at his desk, reading Josephus’ Antiquities in the original Greek, when there is a knock on his door. When he opens the door, he sees a full-blown bishop with clerical robes and mitre cap. Remembering the admonition of scripture to show hospitality and welcome the stranger (“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” Hebrews 13:2), he invites the visitor into his study.
“We need your . . . particular set of skills . . . to examine a recently deceased person who is a candidate for sainthood . . .” The pastor (we’ll call him Pastor R) holds up his hand to interrupt the bishop. “Was he a Christian?” he asks. “Yes, of course he was,” answers the bishop. “Then by definitions he was a saint, according to Ephesians 1:1 and other passages where Paul addressed the Christians in a city as ‘saints’.” The bishop goes on, a bit perturbed. “I know that is what you Protestants believe, but in any case, we want to make special recognition of his saintly virtues. Would you help us?” “Yes,” the pastor answers. “I’ll do the best I can, though no one knows the thoughts of a man except his own spirit (1 Corinthians 2:11).”
“Fine, ” says the bishop. “See you tomorrow at the cathedral. By the way, the usual fee?” To which the pastor replies, “Freely have I received, freely do I give (Matthew 10:8), but I wouldn’t turn away from a gift of the papal bull that Pope Leo X used to condemn Martin Luther.” “You mean the Exsurge Domine? No problem. Be there; 9:00 am.”
The next day, the forensic pastor arrives at the local cathedral, where the saint investigation committee, known officially as the “Dicastery for the Causes of Saints,” is seated at a table, with volumes of paperwork before them. A single chair is empty, intended for Pastor R. Once seated, the inquiry begins.
“First of all, ” Pastor R begins, “we will examine the record of the candidate’s sinfulness.” A committee member jumps in, “Oh, pastor, I assure you that we have already looked into that, and we found him to be sinless!”
“Well,” says Pastor R, “then you contradict Saint Paul and Saint John, who both wrote in scripture that no one is without sin! Romans 3:23 says, ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,’ and 1 John 1:8 says, ‘If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.’ So we can assume he did sin; the question is, how badly!” The committee all squirms.
Pastor R continues. “So, let’s consider what are called, The Seven Deadly Sins. Is there evidence he committed: Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, Sloth, Gluttony, or Wrath?” One of the committee answers, “No, in fact he was quite proud of overcoming the sin of pride!” Pastor R nods knowingly. Another member of the committee says, “He held the sainthood in high esteem. When Saint John Paul was canonized, he expressed he wished that would happen to him, too. Not that he was envious of John Paul.” The bishop adds, “If he sinned, it was minor sins, which we call venial sins. you know inconsequential ones that can be forgiven, such as speaking angrily.”
To which Pastor R replies, “All sin is consequential. Saint James tells us in James 2:10, ‘For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.’ Whether a person commits a deadly sin or a venial one, the sentence is death and hell unless he or she is forgiven. Did he have any favorite sins, or any he kept hidden until the end? After all, even our secret sins will one day see the light of day (Mark 4:22).”
“Nothing that anyone has observed. On the contrary, many good things he did have just come to light. Otherwise, as far as we know, he was an open book,’ says a member of the committee.
Pastor R nods and suggests, “So let us move on to consider that most valuable criterion.”
“Was there evidence the candidate was forgiven his sins?” The bishop responds with a sigh of relief. “Yes, most definitely.” He shows the candidate’s baptismal certificate, and records of his coming to confession, receiving absolution, and partaking in Holy Communion. The bishop goes on, “He was diligent in the means of grace, and fervent in his worship. We have no doubt he was forgiven.” Pastor R nods. “Those are good evidences, but again, they could just be performative; after all, Stalin was baptized and for a while considered the priesthood, though I wouldn’t call him a ‘saint.’ Did he ever actually proclaim his faith in Jesus Christ? Romans 10:9-10 says, ‘because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. . . ” The bishop interrupts to finish the passage, “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Another member speaks up, “Yes, we have all heard him confess Christ numerous times.”
“That’s great,” admits Pastor R. “But one final question along that line: was there evidence of his faith in the way he lived? Was there ‘fruit in keeping with repentance?’ (Matthew 3:8).”
“Yes,” confirms the bishop, “he lived a fruit-filled life. He worked in our soup kitchen feeding the homeless. He gathered clothing donations, and distributed them to the needy. He was always available to transport people to doctor appointments and to church services. He sang in the choir. And he never took any compensation or turned anyone down. I can’t imagine anyone more worthy of sainthood than he. If anyone deserved heaven, he did!”
As soon as he says this, the rest of the committee gasps, especially when they see the look on Pastor R’s face. They know what he will say: “No one deserves heaven nor earns their way by good works. It is only by God’s grace through faith in Christ and his sacrificial work on the cross that his righteousness is imputed to us and we are given the gift of heavenly life! I think my work here is done. I know you will consider miracles done in the candidate’s name, and since we don’t affirm prayers to the saints, I will not play a part in it. May God bless you all, in Jesus’ name. Amen”
And with that, Pastor R exits, and the first episode draws to a close. Next time on Forensic Pastor: Pastor R confronts a baptized atheist! Tune in for a heart-warming story!
Now may the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.
Read: Romans 5:12-14; Romans 6:23