PARDONS FOR SALE

In the March 5, 2001 issue of Newsweek, the words, “PARDONS FOR SALE,” were printed boldly on the cover.
The corresponding article regarded an undergoing investigation on whether former President Clinton issued any of his 140 pardons or 36 communications in the exchange for personal gain or the expectation of personal gain.
“PARDONS FOR SALE” caught my attention because I have been studying history when pardons were granted in exchange for money in the 1500’s. During that time, many people were making long pilgrimages to Rome, hoping to purchase pardon for their sins. Rome’s religious authority also endeavored to reach out to other neighboring countries with its practices. In Germany, the so-called “sale of indulgences” was committed to the Dominican friars. In Switzerland, the Franciscans conducted the pardon traffic.
Corruption was rampant. Religious leaders took civil authority to coerce citizens into the papal beliefs. In search of pardons for their sins, peasants were stripped of their meager earnings and wealthy classes were exacted to pay costly gifts to the church. Even more scandalous was that people were at liberty to continue in their offences as long as they provided revenue. “Every sin had its price, and men were granted free license for crime if the treasury of the church was kept well filled” (The Great Controversy, p. 178).
However, there were a few faithful reformers who sought the truth and exposed the error in the church. One reformer was Ulric Zwingli, an ordained priest from Switzerland and who devoted his entire life in search of divine truth. Through the diligent study of the Scriptures, he soon found that forgiveness of sins and salvation come through Jesus Christ alone. He found freedom and happiness through the grace of Christ. He proclaimed the truths in Scriptures wherever he had opportunity. To many, Zwingli’s message was a revelation to their hearts.
“Thus two movements advanced,—one offering forgiveness of sin for money, the other forgiveness through Christ,—Rome licensing sin and making it her source of revenue; the Reformers condemning sin and pointing to Christ as the propitiation and deliverer” (The Great Controversy, p. 178).
The Bible says, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7). There cannot be any monetary value placed upon forgiveness. Pardon or forgiveness of sin is found only through Christ. Only Christ can transform the heart from its sinful ways to a renewed life of righteousness.
Ly Lan Nguyen