Could You Love a Serial Killer?

Everyone feels revulsion toward serial killers like the notorious Son of Sam, David Berkowitz.

Berkowitz shot and killed six people and wounded seven others from 1976 to 1977. He pled guilty to 8 of the shootings.

Could you love such a man? Christians are called to be lovers. Jesus began his ministry with that challenge: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[i] and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matt. 5:43-44)

And that’s the problem. We are called to love in ways that feel impossible. And when, in our own strength, we can’t, we are in the same place as a mass murderer – sinners and hypocrites needing grace.

Let’s look at Berkowitz, one the first and most notorious of the modern mass murderers.

What if Berkowitz were to confess his sins and follow Jesus? Could we love him then?

And this is in fact what the Son of Sam killer did. Here is his testimony:

In 1975 I met some guys at a party who were heavily involved in the occult. I had always been fascinated with witchcraft, satanism, and occult things since I was a child. When I was growing up, I watched countless horror and satanic movies.

Eventually, I crossed that invisible line of no return. After years of mental torment, behavioral problems, deep inner struggles and my own rebellious ways, I became the criminal that, at the time, it seemed as if it was my destiny to become.

Looking back, it was all a horrible nightmare, and I would do anything if I could undo everything that happened. Six people lost their lives. Many others suffered at my hand, and will continue to suffer for a lifetime. I am so sorry for that.

In 1978, I was sentenced to about 365 consecutive years. Ten years into the sentence, an inmate began to tell me that Jesus Christ loved me and wanted to forgive me.

It was at that moment, in 1987, that I began to pour out my heart to God. Everything seemed to hit me at once. The guilt from what I did… the disgust at what I had become… late that night in my cold cell, I got down on my knees and I began to cry out to Jesus Christ.

I told Him that I was sick and tired of doing evil. I asked Jesus to forgive me for all my sins. I spent a good while on my knees praying to Him.

Since then, Berkowitz has dedicated his life to spreading his message of redemption and faith, ministering to fellow inmates and sharing his story in prisons, youth facilities, and public events.

Berkowitz’s transformation has led to opportunities to speak at events, share his testimony on various platforms, and engage in outreach activities within the prison system.

What do you think? Could you forgive him? Is there grace for such a man? Consider the biblical heroes who were also murderers: Moses, David and Paul. Despite having killed people in cold blood, God used them to lead his people.

Grace is a scandal! It’s the scandal that Jesus preached. It’s the very thing we all need.