Ponderous Subjects
Every Friday at our school, we spend the final 30 minutes of school on an activity that is a departure from normal studies. This past Friday, our principal, Wesley S. talked to the students about death. It was not a macabre or dark--or Pollyannaish--lecture, but very informative and helpful. As you know if you've been following recent events in our community, the death of Anja Miller (18) on Monday has affected us all deeply.
When I talked to him about it later, Wesley said he thinks Ervin Hershberger was the one whose teaching put things together in his mind regarding a historical perspective of death. I realize that there is some controversy about some of these things, but perhaps seeing a historical picture will provide some insight even for those who have interpretations that vary from the one Ervin H. presented. I'll convey Wesley's teaching from notes I took while he talked, and from reading some of the relevant Bible passages myself since then, and checking on some details.
Before he got into the historical talk, Wesley recommended the poetry of Emily Dickinson and that of Alfred Lloyd Tennyson. He also recommended two books: Sweeping Up the Heart by Paul W. Nisly, and A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken. I can personally recommend all of those sources also. It's been a long time since I read the books, and some of the poetry, but I know they're good. Paul Nisly is a former member of our church and still visits here regularly. He was Anja's great uncle. He read the obituary and spoke briefly at her funeral. Several decades ago, his only daughter was also instantly killed in a traffic accident when she was about 20. The book was written in the aftermath of her death.
Also, outside of the historical section, Wesley shared his two favorite Bible verses on death--both from the Psalms. Psalm 116:5: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Juxtaposed with this view of death is the Grim Reaper view, which exists because of sin's curse. Dread accompanies this view, and it was the prevailing Old Testament view of death. After Jesus' death and resurrection, the sting of it was removed, and death can be viewed now as a wonderful gateway to better things. Certainly a short life is not correlated with being cursed in any way different from the general curse under which the whole earth groans.
The other favorite verse is from Psalm 23: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me." For the believer, death need never be faced alone, because God will be there. Jesus will welcome saints with a smile on his face. Memories of horrible accidents or prolonged illness are completely gone in that realm, and only delight in each other's presence remains.
In the time between Adam and Eve's sin and the death of Christ, the souls of all who died went to Sheol (Hebrew word), also called Hades (Greek word). The story of the rich man and Lazarus tells us something about this place, namely, that saints and sinners could converse together, and that sinners experienced torment and saints experienced comfort. Abraham, who had died many centuries earlier, was visible to the rich man also. No one could cross over from one realm to the other and no one could leave the place by their own choice.
At the death of Jesus, the second chapter in the historical timeline began. This was a time of great transition because it was then that Jesus "descended . . . into the lower parts of the earth" and "led captivity captive . . . " (Eph. 4) Also at this time, graves were opened and the souls of many of the saints were temporarily reunited with their bodies. These living people were seen by many in Jerusalem. (Matt. 27:50-54). Not much is told in Scripture about these people, but their presence no doubt spoke loudly to all who witnessed it.
On the cross, Jesus told the criminal crucified with him that "today thou shalt be with me in Paradise." Paradise was the destination of all those captives who were led by Jesus out of Hades to a new place. Paradise is still the destination of all saints who die. Those who came back to life temporarily around the time of Jesus' death went there when they departed once more out of the earthly realm.
The final chapter in this death timeline will unfold when Jesus comes back again. At that time, the graves will open and all the bodies of the saints will be reunited with their souls in the air. Then all those saints who are alive will be gathered up to join them, and all will be taken to heaven.
On dealing with the uncertainty of the duration of our own life, Wesley said, "If God calls you to live today, embrace life." Furthermore, he talked about his own goals in relation to life and death. Even if death comes slowly and painfully, he'd like for people to be able to observe and say of him, "That's the way to die." On the other hand, as long as he lives, he'd like for people to be able to say of him during life, "That's the way to live."
I can't imagine a better way for our students to spend a Friday afternoon than to consider important matters such as life and death, and thanks to Wesley, and compelled by events beyond anyone's control, they had such an opportunity last week.
*********************
On a related subject, my dear friend Marian is now beyond any viable medical options for treatment of her cancer. She is under hospice care.
I am committed to walking with her during the rest of her journey, but I'm not sure what all that will mean--maybe staying away when having extra people around is stressful. Fortunately, her family and other friends stand ready to stay near and help.
When I talked to him about it later, Wesley said he thinks Ervin Hershberger was the one whose teaching put things together in his mind regarding a historical perspective of death. I realize that there is some controversy about some of these things, but perhaps seeing a historical picture will provide some insight even for those who have interpretations that vary from the one Ervin H. presented. I'll convey Wesley's teaching from notes I took while he talked, and from reading some of the relevant Bible passages myself since then, and checking on some details.
Before he got into the historical talk, Wesley recommended the poetry of Emily Dickinson and that of Alfred Lloyd Tennyson. He also recommended two books: Sweeping Up the Heart by Paul W. Nisly, and A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken. I can personally recommend all of those sources also. It's been a long time since I read the books, and some of the poetry, but I know they're good. Paul Nisly is a former member of our church and still visits here regularly. He was Anja's great uncle. He read the obituary and spoke briefly at her funeral. Several decades ago, his only daughter was also instantly killed in a traffic accident when she was about 20. The book was written in the aftermath of her death.
Also, outside of the historical section, Wesley shared his two favorite Bible verses on death--both from the Psalms. Psalm 116:5: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Juxtaposed with this view of death is the Grim Reaper view, which exists because of sin's curse. Dread accompanies this view, and it was the prevailing Old Testament view of death. After Jesus' death and resurrection, the sting of it was removed, and death can be viewed now as a wonderful gateway to better things. Certainly a short life is not correlated with being cursed in any way different from the general curse under which the whole earth groans.
The other favorite verse is from Psalm 23: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me." For the believer, death need never be faced alone, because God will be there. Jesus will welcome saints with a smile on his face. Memories of horrible accidents or prolonged illness are completely gone in that realm, and only delight in each other's presence remains.
In the time between Adam and Eve's sin and the death of Christ, the souls of all who died went to Sheol (Hebrew word), also called Hades (Greek word). The story of the rich man and Lazarus tells us something about this place, namely, that saints and sinners could converse together, and that sinners experienced torment and saints experienced comfort. Abraham, who had died many centuries earlier, was visible to the rich man also. No one could cross over from one realm to the other and no one could leave the place by their own choice.
At the death of Jesus, the second chapter in the historical timeline began. This was a time of great transition because it was then that Jesus "descended . . . into the lower parts of the earth" and "led captivity captive . . . " (Eph. 4) Also at this time, graves were opened and the souls of many of the saints were temporarily reunited with their bodies. These living people were seen by many in Jerusalem. (Matt. 27:50-54). Not much is told in Scripture about these people, but their presence no doubt spoke loudly to all who witnessed it.
On the cross, Jesus told the criminal crucified with him that "today thou shalt be with me in Paradise." Paradise was the destination of all those captives who were led by Jesus out of Hades to a new place. Paradise is still the destination of all saints who die. Those who came back to life temporarily around the time of Jesus' death went there when they departed once more out of the earthly realm.
The final chapter in this death timeline will unfold when Jesus comes back again. At that time, the graves will open and all the bodies of the saints will be reunited with their souls in the air. Then all those saints who are alive will be gathered up to join them, and all will be taken to heaven.
On dealing with the uncertainty of the duration of our own life, Wesley said, "If God calls you to live today, embrace life." Furthermore, he talked about his own goals in relation to life and death. Even if death comes slowly and painfully, he'd like for people to be able to observe and say of him, "That's the way to die." On the other hand, as long as he lives, he'd like for people to be able to say of him during life, "That's the way to live."
I can't imagine a better way for our students to spend a Friday afternoon than to consider important matters such as life and death, and thanks to Wesley, and compelled by events beyond anyone's control, they had such an opportunity last week.
*********************
On a related subject, my dear friend Marian is now beyond any viable medical options for treatment of her cancer. She is under hospice care.
I am committed to walking with her during the rest of her journey, but I'm not sure what all that will mean--maybe staying away when having extra people around is stressful. Fortunately, her family and other friends stand ready to stay near and help.
posted by Mrs. I (Miriam Iwashige) at
9:02 PM
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