Hi everyone-
Beloved Dilbert creator and conservative commentator Scott Adams died yesterday, but before he left this world he converted to Christianity. His ex-wife read Adams' final statement.
"'I'm not a believer, but I have to admit, the risk reward calculation for doing so looks so attractive to me. So here I go. I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and look forward to spending an eternity with Him. The part about me not being a believer should be quite quickly resolved if I wake up in heaven, I won't need any more convincing than that. I hope I'm still qualified for entry.'"
As with all things, people started debating the statement online, with some saying they didn't believe that his conversion was heartfelt. Others said Adams' was mocking Christianity and Jesus Christ. Personally, I would never judge a man's heart and I believe that Adams' conversion is a big win for God.
But for anyone who doubts the veracity of Adams' conversion, or says that Adams didn't convert in whatever the right way is, there is a long history of deathbed conversions. The very first was Saint Dismas, the Good Thief who was stretched on the cross and crucified alongside Jesus.
When one of those who was crucified alongside Jesus taunted him, the other said, according to the translation on my iPhone, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." He asked Jesus "remember me when you come into your kingdom."
And Jesus said "Today you will be with me in paradise." Deathbed conversion. Now that guy is a saint. And my belief is that Adams is in Heaven. There's no room for us to judge one another's souls, that is a task for God alone.
Beyond whether or not we mere mortals think Adams has earned his way to Heaven is grace and a suspension of the rational mind in service to hope everlasting. How much better to believe that God forgives even in the final moments, how much stronger is a faith where humans themselves cannot pick winners and losers but can only strive to be among the former.
I believe because I choose to believe, because the void without belief is too deep and too full of despair. I don't find faith an easy pursuit, but how much rather would I die striving to believe than I live without hope of grace.
Libby