Pre-emptive Pardons and Cheap Grace

Pre-emptive pardons are seen as unearned forgiveness meant to protect individuals who haven't been investigated or charged with crimes. These pardons represent what Dietrich Bonhoeffer described as “cheap grace,” which means grace offered without cost or responsibility. Bonhoeffer’s concerns were directed towards the churches of the 1930s that were giving in to the demands of the Third Reich, but his insights also apply to current governmental practices of granting pardons without accountability.

Such pardons imply a secular form of salvation granted by the President, who decides that those pardoned are innocent regardless of their actions or lack of remorse. This creates a situation where individuals are deemed guiltless, even without acknowledgment of their wrongdoings. The legal concept surrounding these pardons is influenced by the 1866 Supreme Court ruling in Ex parte Garland, which states that a full pardon erases punishment and guilt from the eyes of the law, making the offender as innocent as if they never committed an offense.

However, the authors argue that this misconception promotes the idea that legal decrees can eliminate guilt and sin, similar to how Paul in the Bible addresses antinomianism. This belief allows individuals to act without fear of legal or moral consequences, fostering a dangerous precedent where people think they can act sinfully without repercussions due to their pardoned status.

Joe Biden’s potential to grant pre-emptive pardons raises questions about his understanding of the Church’s teaching that God alone can absolve sin. By issuing these pardons, he risks positioning himself as a giver of grace meant for God alone, effectively allowing individuals to evade the law and live without accountability.

This situation is likened to the historical concept of plenary indulgences, which offered a way to reduce punishment for sins already forgiven, contingent upon genuine repentance. In contrast, pre-emptive pardons do not require any acknowledgment of wrongdoing or remorse, amplifying the notion of “cheap grace” that Bonhoeffer criticized.

The article concludes that the White House’s move towards pre-emptive pardons is a secular reinterpretation of grace, equating political affiliation with moral absolution. This shift undermines the belief that reconciliation from sin is a spiritual matter between God and individuals, which is central to Christian doctrine. Both Jewish and Christian beliefs view the transgression of God’s law as serious, with forgiveness residing solely in God’s domain.

Moreover, it stresses that no one, including a president, can assume the role of a savior who forgives sins, nor place a group of people beyond the law. Such actions would essentially create a protective scheme that erodes accountability. Bonhoeffer reminds us that grace is not free; it comes at a significant cost. True grace is rooted in sacrifice and leads to true transformation in individuals.

As Christians reflect on the significance of Christ's incarnation at Christmas, they remember that grace, which has the power to forgive and redeem, was given through immense sacrifice. The message concludes with a hope that the genuine and costly grace of Christ will be felt during the Christmas season. 

https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2024/12/pre_emptive_pardons_and_cheap_grace.html