Suicide Part One

For those of you who have been waiting patiently for me to start posting my series on difficult subjects that I introduced under the post “Politics and Theology,” the time has come! I’m going to start with a topic that isn’t considered a political hotbed topic directly – suicide. Of course, if you take into account the infamous Terri Schiavo Case, the issue presents itself indirectly as a political issue. I want to remind my readers that I’m only going to delve into these issues from a biblical worldview, using the Bible as my source of information and insight. Conversely, I’m NOT going to debate the ramifications of the biblical perspective on these issues. For those of us who follow Christ, we are obligated to submit our own perspectives, ideologies, and philosophies to the eternal truth of the Bible. The Bible, then, molds our worldview, not politics, family, or culture.

One other note – as we delve into these different topics, it’s become clear that I’ll have to post several blogs on each subject in order to give them the attention they deserve. So, if you get to the end of a post and think you know where I’m going with my next post – think again. I think it’s only fair to make you all aware that I may end a post on a proverbial cliffhanger in order to make us all think more critically about a given topic.

With that said…here we go!

First, let’s define suicide so that we are all on the same page:
Suicide – A fatal act of self-destruction undertaken with conscience intent.

Thirty eight thousand such acts happen each year in the United States. Interestingly, most of them are elderly although teens and young adults who take their own life get the most press.

Now, what suicide in NOT:
1. A man who dies in a hurricane because he ignored a radio warning.
2. Careless person who overdoses on a medication.
3. Woman who jumps from a burning building.
4. A motorcyclist who dies from head injuries who was not wearing a helmet.

There are many reasons for suicide such as:
1. Depression caused by the death of a loved one (some religious people believe that they will be reunited with their loved one if they take their own lives).
2. Clinical depression
3. Loosing out on the corporate “rat” race – real or imagined.
4. Some elderly commit suicide so they can have “death with dignity.”
There are countless other reasons and/or a combination of reasons for people to take their own lives.

What makes this issue more difficult to discuss from an evangelical (biblically conservative) point of view is that there is debate among conservative theological leaders about this topic. Here are just a few quotes from evangelicals regarding suicide:
- “You could lose your soul by committing suicide, so it's better to simply play it safe and trust God to make you happier. I lean to the idea that most, if not all, cases of suicide lead to damnation. I wouldn't bet on anyone going to heaven who committed suicide. I think the odds are against the person.” (Tom Brown, pastor)
- “Even if a person’s earthly life has become a torment to him, he must commit it intact into God’s hand, from which it came.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, famous German theologian)
- “Suicide is wrong, nut it is not the unpardonable sin.” (William Hendricks)
- “Suicide denies that our life is dependent on God for its sustenance and survival.” (Ray Anderson)

Now that we have the preliminary information out of the way, I want to end this post by putting forth my first point:

1) God is in charge of life and death

The Bible says - - -
1 Samuel 2:6
The Lord kills and makes alive. He brings down to the grave and he brings up.
Exodus 20:13
You shall not murder. (One of the BIG TEN)

These are just a few of the many passages that make certain the truth that God alone is in charge of life and of death. He gives life and is the only one who has the right to take it away. Each and every human being is made in God’s image and God sees any act of murder or suicide (murder of self) to be an affront to His very image.

I don’t think there will be any surprise at the following statement:
Suicide is a sin.

But, some of the biggest questions that come from the mouths of Christ-followers are:
“Is suicide the unpardonable sin?”
“Do people who commit suicide go to Hell even if they are Christians?”
“Is it even possible for a Christian to commit suicide?”

We’ll look at these questions and others in my next post.
In the meantime – for my more involved readers – I’d like to have some of you post passages that speak to the issue of God’s utter authority over life and death.

Carpe Deum! (Seize God!)
Todd Phillips
www.toddphillips.net
www.frontline.to
www.frontlinearlington.com