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Published Tuesday, January 06, 2009 in Opinion
Heaven is greater with the arrival of Griffin Bell
Editorial
Georgia is saying goodbye to one of our state's most distinguished citizens. Griffin B. Bell, lawyer, judge, U.S. attorney general and confidante to presidents, governors and many others, died Monday. A public graveside service will be 11 a.m. today in Americus, where he was born. A public memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Atlanta.
When we think of Griffin Bell, some of the words that come to mind are distinguished, integrity, professionalism, charm, statesman, enduring. In reading some of the news accounts reacting to his death, we heard words that help define this Georgia giant.
Said his grandson Griffin Bell III: "He was ready to go. We are just blessed to have him so long. He's a great man, a great grandfather. We're going to miss him -- everything was checked off his list. ... He was still running the show until very recently ... If he had another six months, he'd still knock off four or five major projects."
Said law partner Bob Steed: "If he took a position, he'd take it strongly and defend it. But if someone improved it, he was willing to give way. His ego didn't get involved with his choices. ... He was sharp to the very end. He told his son that there must be a committee in heaven in charge of dying, because it was taking so long."
Former Mercer University Chancellor R. Kirby Godsey said, "Griffin Bell was more than an outstanding statesman or a great American; he stood as a first citizen of the world whose voice and insights will shape human history for decades to come."
"No novelist -- not even Dickens or John Irving -- could have created a more memorable character than Judge Bell," said law partner Richard N. Schneider. He took the role of being a lawyer and transformed it into legend. ... It is remarkable that every man and woman who spent even a brief period with Judge Bell would cling to him and claim him as their hero forever. That's how legends are made, and legends last forever -- and that will be the case with the great Griffin Bell."
And finally, from former prosecutor and now CNN personality Nancy Grace:
"I have known many, many judges during my legal career. Judge Bell, without a doubt, was the most honorable of them all ... He will be missed sorely, but, as of this moment, heaven has become even greater."
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I didn't say the man was in heaven or hell. The editor said he was in heaven. Why are you mad at me? Why not an answer to my question...because nobody wants to really deal with the fact that there is a hell and that most souls go there because Jesus says it is a narrow way to My Father's Kingdom...yet the world says everyone goes to heaven...
Posted by tom at 5:15 PM
No one knows for certainty the salvation of any man. You can make an assumption by the way they lived their life, if they truly honored Jesus with it, that they are in Heaven. Yet still, a person's salvation is between him and his Creator. Regardless, it is quite sad that you would make such a remark here on an article that pays tribute to a man who just died. The person about whom you speak has moved on but his family and friends are still here to read your unkind words. Does that make you feel good? If so, then maybe you need to check your heart.
Posted by T at 12:46 PM
How do you know he's in heaven? Why aren't there ever headlines that say "there's no doubt, this guy went straight to hell". In the infamous words of multitudes - "Who are you to judge"?
Posted by tom at 9:27 AM
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Not Mad
1/11/2009
Link To This Comment
Tom, I'm not mad at you and I did answer your question. You asked in your first post, 'How do you know he is in Heaven?' My answer was that no one knows with certainty the salvation of anyone. We can only make assumptions based on the way a person lived their life. I don't think the author was 'judging' the deceased, at least not in the manor that God defines judging. I think he was probably using the man's life and witness to base his assumption. You are correct, a lot of folks do not want to acknowledge that hell and satan actually do exist. In fact, many are adamant that they don't! That is very sad for those of us who know beyond all doubt that they do. However, in my opinion, I feel that you chose the wrong place, and definitely the wrong way, to voice your concern for the souls of others. When someone is hurting over a loved one's death, sometimes they are open to the Gospel. However, most are not open to being beat over the head with. Love is the key. Always. Blessings.
Posted by T at 5:18 PM