"If this were true, then her whole life might be a lie. Dad might have used her and her family as a cover story for murder."
"Few people are the sons or daughters of serial killers."
What if you found out your father was a notorious, vicious serial killer? This happened to Kerri Rawson, daughter of infamous "BTK Killer" Dennis Rader. His murders are mind-numbing in both its pure evil and its cold-bloodedness. Dennis Rader was a church-goer who either feigned faith in Christ or used his faith in a twisted manner to weave his web of lies. He deserves the consequences he is facing today. But what about his daughter, Kerri? Does she deserve the looks and comments she receives? Does she deserve the doubts and fears that come her way, as if she too might snap because of her deranged father?
The Bible clearly states in Ezekiel 18:20 that a child should not be punished for the sins of the parents: "The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them." But of course, the world does not operate with this framework. So someone like Kerri Rawson could face the same fear and ridicule that her father now faces.
The article is a sobering one, as one cannot imagine what life must now be like for her mother, her husband, her children. They will always carry the mark of being the BTK murderer's daughter and grandchildren and wife. But I am thankful that she and her family have come to find refuge in Christ. She even came to a place where she was able to forgive her father in Christ. Though the battle of forgiveness is ongoing, the struggle is worth the fight.
In view of this darkness, I can't say enough about how wondrous the gospel is and all of its implications. It reminds us that in Christ, we are adopted as sons and daughters and that our identity is not in our goodness, our parents' successes, or even our parents' moral failures, and even if that failure is to be a heinous murderer. In Christ, He who the Son sets free is free indeed. I am glad Kerri Rawson knows that truth.
The Bible clearly states in Ezekiel 18:20 that a child should not be punished for the sins of the parents: "The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them." But of course, the world does not operate with this framework. So someone like Kerri Rawson could face the same fear and ridicule that her father now faces.
The article is a sobering one, as one cannot imagine what life must now be like for her mother, her husband, her children. They will always carry the mark of being the BTK murderer's daughter and grandchildren and wife. But I am thankful that she and her family have come to find refuge in Christ. She even came to a place where she was able to forgive her father in Christ. Though the battle of forgiveness is ongoing, the struggle is worth the fight.
In view of this darkness, I can't say enough about how wondrous the gospel is and all of its implications. It reminds us that in Christ, we are adopted as sons and daughters and that our identity is not in our goodness, our parents' successes, or even our parents' moral failures, and even if that failure is to be a heinous murderer. In Christ, He who the Son sets free is free indeed. I am glad Kerri Rawson knows that truth.