I write this as a friend of the Ludwig family and a theologian that needs to help the Lancaster community deal with such tragedy.

 As terrible as the acts played out in Lititz, PA these past few days, as covered in the headlines of the Lancaster newspapers, there is hope for redemption. There is an interesting parallel in the lives of King David and David Ludwig. King David, as recorded in Scripture, took another man’s wife, had the husband Uriah killed, and tried to get away with it. When Nathan, God’s prophet, faces David with the enormity of his transgression, David throws himself on God’s lovingkindness (Ps. 51:1) In Psalm 51 David confesses his sin, and asks to be restored. David writes that his sin is ever before him (v. 3) as I am sure is the case for David Ludwig. God does restore King David, but not without the loss of his child and the division of his kingdom. David Ludwig will pay the price for his evil deeds as well. But for all those involved God will heal the fallen if they throw themselves on His mercy made available through His Son Jesus, the Savior of mankind. Did bad things happen to good people and how should we judge David? Well, the Scripture says bad things do not happen to good people because there are no good people! (Romans 3:23). We, who have the hope of eternal life in the world to come, must deal with this tragedy and the rest of the daily news in these days by looking to the Scripture, and the author and finisher of our faith, God’s own Son who gave his life for redemption of the whole of mankind, if they will put their trust in Him.

Dr. William Curtis November 19, 2005