by Mike Halsey

President

Free Grace Seminary

Prior to his death, Senator Ted Kennedy wrote the following letter to the Pope.  The contents of the letter reveal the mind of a man who knows his time is short, one who realizes that all the doctors money can buy have done all they know to do.

The letter is an epistle of works.  It’s filled with “I have done my best,” “I have worked,” I have fought,” “I have opposed,” “I have always tried,” and “I am committed to doing,” If ever there was a Romans 10:3 Kodak moment, that letter is it: “Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.”  The letter is a 417 word brag-amony, brimming with “I.”

When God looks at all the “I-have-done-this” and I-have-done-that,” He sees “filthy rags” and “rubbish.”  (So wrote Isaiah and Paul.)  The Lion of the Senate thought his roar of good works counted, but they’re nothing. 

Recognizing his “imperfections,” the senator writes, “I have tried to right my path.”  (“Imperfections?”  We human beings find it hard to let the word “sin” find a home on our tongues.)  That’s a telling statement.  It’s like saying, “I try, therefore, I am my own atonement.”  He believes that his attempts are enough to satisfy God.  A holy God is not satisfied with the old college try.

He was raised that way, “that way” being the way of works--trying, doing, and fighting for.  Give him the benefit of any doubts: perhaps he did give up some “imperfections,” but, so what?  Doesn’t count.  He did throw himself into social activism and fighting for the poor and the immigrant (with other people’s money) but so what?  Doesn’t count.   

But the truth was always standing near and calling out to him.  “Christ died for your sins, Ted (I John 2:2).  Christ rose from the dead.  I Cor. 15) Christ promises you everlasting life when you trust the Son of God alone for it.  That good news was in all the Bibles Kennedy ever owned.  It was in every library from which he ever checked out a book.  It was in book stores he patronized.  That good news was in most every hotel room in which he spent the night.  (The Gideons have done their good work well.)  It was proclaimed in some (not all or many) of the churches in the cities and towns he visited.  Free grace was present and accounted for; he is without excuse.  ( Rom. 1)

His letter should have been packed full of “Jesus did this” and “Christ did that.”  Nowhere do we read of his knowing he has eternal life based only on what Jesus did for him.  It’s a letter written by a man glutted with himself, a person overflowing with pride at what he tried to do, what he did, what he was committed to doing, and what he fought for.   

His letter could have been written by millions of Catholics and Protestants because he reflects a common American and worldwide belief: I am my own atonement. It was a letter written in spiritual darkness.