I have had a few experiences of contact with tragedy--heartbreaking and untimely death. It is life-changing and life-shattering. Only by the grace of God can people continue on the journey after losing a close loved one in an unexpected and seemingly untimely way. I usually feel there is almost nothing to say, and that is a fact.
The human mind and heart needs some level of understanding and hope to proceed after mind-boggling loss. This can come from our understanding and knowledge of God. In accepting the idea of free will, I can accept, with great difficulty at times, that God does allow bad things to happen to good people. We live in a dangerous world and life is so fragile.
Yet God does intervene sometimes to thwart natural laws. Miracles still do happen by many reports. Why they happen there and not here, for example, is a great conflict in Christian thinking. This apparent randomness can be justified by various reasonings, but, in the human mind, it is not quite adequate to explain the terrible loss of a beloved one. This loss is not quantifiable and it is not overcome. The grief fades in small measures over time.
Ultimately, dealing with an excruciating tragedy is an act of trust in God. We go through a documented process of grief, whether or not the the articulated particulars are accurate. The anger, for example, should be felt and released. The act of productively continuing in life becomes a default of time and a reluctance of will. The thought that things will be okay in the end is the act of trust. It is so important. This is hope.
The hope that a loved one is safe with God is often kept at a distance and not fully embraced due to the immediate grief, the suffocating loss. In reality, this is an essence of our faith. Agreeing that death is a consequence of separation from God is basic. Accepting in one's heart the well-being of a deceased loved one is an advancement of faith. It really does show some maturity. We need this. If God was permissive for Jesus to be killed on the earth, it allows us, I believe, to be hopeful following unthinkable tragedy.
The untimely loss of a loved one is a severe challenge to our humanity...and sanity. It is rather amazing that family and friends can continue in this life and eventually appear to live a life that is somewhat "normal." I know this is an evidence of the grace of God. Faith is vital here. God chooses to enact principles and laws that govern our lives and our world. Sometimes, the consequences are very harsh. Without a doubt, we may yell at God, "Why?!" That is understandable. His characteristics, His greatness, and His salvation, though, are equally confounding. These are the balm for the wounded soul.
Indeed, there often is a reasonable or logical or natural explanation for someone's death. If the person is young, the response is quite different. We tend to think the child, the 30 year-old, or the 55 year-old missed out on life. Notably, Jesus did not express this lament. In fact, he expressed the imminence of paradise to the repentant criminal. Going on to be with God is good. When I say "good," I expect this is God's definition of "good" rather than our own. This is a thought which can somehow allow mourning to turn into joy.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Mercy of Christ
Josh McDowell's book More Than A Carpenter is a great staple in Christian apologetics. With respect to McDowell's insight, much of my proceeding thoughts echo his analysis. Most people want to believe no one will be in a bad place apart from heaven. Few people really are comfortable pondering the concept and uttering the word "hell." Nevertheless, the Bible clearly indicates the existence of a place of suffering apart from God's presence and mercy. This is a challenge of Christianity.
The concept of hell challenges the ideals of humanity. Our ideals concerning afterlife are based on our knowledge and judgment. Our knowledge is limited. Our judgments are known to be flawed. And we are too skeptical, collectively, to trust God. Jesus, an undeniable historical figure on this planet, made claims to be the "Way," "Truth," and "Life." Additionally, he said that no one comes to God except by him. Whoa. This sets Jesus apart from being just a very wise man. (Again, see McDowell's book to understand the ramifications of Jesus' claims and teachings.) No other leader of a religion with a significant active following has made such claims. These words and this person, Jesus Christ, must be carefully considered and a judgment must be made.
Meanwhile, there are the doings of Jesus. His fame was solidified by the miracles he caused. Just as Muhammad Ali claimed to be "the greatest," he is still regarded and known because he was a champion boxer. Jesus backed up his claims with some impressive actions. If you ultimately decide to believe Jesus is who he said he was, you are moved and amazed by one of his last acts. On the cross, he forgives a penitent criminal and declares the sinful man will be in paradise with Jesus that day. It is a final example of great compassion and mercy in Christ's life recorded in the Bible.
This mercy may seem to balance what is thought to be a lack of fairness in the words and actions of the Christian God. To some people, it may seem to contradict a punitive, merciless God shown at other times. The fact is that there are examples of God's mercy and desire to be forgiving throughout the Bible. The common denominator is a person's faith in God along with God's love. David trusted God, Daniel trusted God, and Paul trusted God. It doesn't mean life shall be perfect; it never is. We are to trust God, ask for his mercy (forgiveness of sin), and demonstrate that faith in word and action.
As shown in an instant by the example at Calvary, Jesus desires to be merciful. While we must heed God's Word and expect there will be punishment for those who reject God, trust in God must be sincere. Our concerns and questions about the faith of loved ones must not be allowed to rupture our belief in God. Indeed, faith is personal, but truth is not relative. Jesus' compassion and mercy are noticeable, along with some of the challenging things he said. Know the difference between Christ and other religious icons. Jesus is unique.
We all have that decision to make about how we will prepare for what happens when we die. Consider both the claims and the mercy of Jesus Christ. The result will be, as McDowell brilliantly concluded, that Jesus must be Lord, a deceiver, or a deluded person (i.e. cuckoo). Thus, Christianity is distinct from Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam; Jesus presumes to forgive sin and claims to be God. With respect to Judaism, Jesus seems to fulfill the characteristics of the Messiah. One only must believe. There is amazing mercy for those who believe.
The concept of hell challenges the ideals of humanity. Our ideals concerning afterlife are based on our knowledge and judgment. Our knowledge is limited. Our judgments are known to be flawed. And we are too skeptical, collectively, to trust God. Jesus, an undeniable historical figure on this planet, made claims to be the "Way," "Truth," and "Life." Additionally, he said that no one comes to God except by him. Whoa. This sets Jesus apart from being just a very wise man. (Again, see McDowell's book to understand the ramifications of Jesus' claims and teachings.) No other leader of a religion with a significant active following has made such claims. These words and this person, Jesus Christ, must be carefully considered and a judgment must be made.
Meanwhile, there are the doings of Jesus. His fame was solidified by the miracles he caused. Just as Muhammad Ali claimed to be "the greatest," he is still regarded and known because he was a champion boxer. Jesus backed up his claims with some impressive actions. If you ultimately decide to believe Jesus is who he said he was, you are moved and amazed by one of his last acts. On the cross, he forgives a penitent criminal and declares the sinful man will be in paradise with Jesus that day. It is a final example of great compassion and mercy in Christ's life recorded in the Bible.
This mercy may seem to balance what is thought to be a lack of fairness in the words and actions of the Christian God. To some people, it may seem to contradict a punitive, merciless God shown at other times. The fact is that there are examples of God's mercy and desire to be forgiving throughout the Bible. The common denominator is a person's faith in God along with God's love. David trusted God, Daniel trusted God, and Paul trusted God. It doesn't mean life shall be perfect; it never is. We are to trust God, ask for his mercy (forgiveness of sin), and demonstrate that faith in word and action.
As shown in an instant by the example at Calvary, Jesus desires to be merciful. While we must heed God's Word and expect there will be punishment for those who reject God, trust in God must be sincere. Our concerns and questions about the faith of loved ones must not be allowed to rupture our belief in God. Indeed, faith is personal, but truth is not relative. Jesus' compassion and mercy are noticeable, along with some of the challenging things he said. Know the difference between Christ and other religious icons. Jesus is unique.
We all have that decision to make about how we will prepare for what happens when we die. Consider both the claims and the mercy of Jesus Christ. The result will be, as McDowell brilliantly concluded, that Jesus must be Lord, a deceiver, or a deluded person (i.e. cuckoo). Thus, Christianity is distinct from Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam; Jesus presumes to forgive sin and claims to be God. With respect to Judaism, Jesus seems to fulfill the characteristics of the Messiah. One only must believe. There is amazing mercy for those who believe.
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