The subject of life and death is of primary concern to all humanity. Death has come to be viewed in every society as a problem that has to be dealt with. The fear of death has gripped many Christians due to either a lack of biblical understanding or significant influence from their cultural perception of death. This article will expose the loopholes in the popular views about death and offer a Biblical perspective.
Popular Views on Death
Various cultures in the world have different views on death. For example, some Asian religious groups believe in reincarnation. This view holds that the soul or spirit, after biological death, is reborn in a new body, for example, of an animal, depending on the moral quality of a person’s past life. Some primitive societies fear death because they believe that death is an unnatural process and happens by accident. Other societies do not fear death. They perceive death as the soul moving to another realm and not an end of life.
In Africa, death is a rite of passage into another realm of life. Burial practices interestingly indicated a strong belief in life after death. Archaeological discoveries show how the deceased were prepared for life after death. The deceased would be buried with artefacts they used in their earthly lives and were expected to use in the afterlife. Some communities perform divination to find out the cause of deaths, which most of the time are said to be caused by some spiritual forces such as witchcraft, offending one’s ancestors or even the gods rather than medical or physical reasons.
Christian View of Death
Just like everyone else, Christians experience death as well. Originally, God created human beings to live forever, enjoying fellowship with him. He instructed Adam and Eve to eat all the fruit in the Garden of Eden and avoid eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). They instead chose to disobey God, which was essentially choosing death. That is how death came into the world (Romans 5:12). Since then, death and decomposition have held people in the grip of terror. The writer of the Psalms exclaimed, “The terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me. And horror has overwhelmed me” (Psalm 55:4-5). Bildad, Job’s friend, spoke about death as the “king of terrors” (Job 18:14). Jesus Christ said he is the “resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). He came to set us free from the fear of death and to give us hope (Hebrews 2:15). He has abolished eternal death for those who believe in Him and will one day destroy physical death (1 Corinthians 15:26). There will be no death in Heaven (Luke 20:26, Revelation 21:4).
Christian Attitude Toward Death
While death has been feared in many communities, Christians have historically approached death with a very different attitude. To Christians, death is not a punishment from God (Romans 1:1). Death is the outcome of living in a fallen world (Hebrews 9:27; (1 Corinthians 15:26). Death consummates our union with Christ (Romans 8:17; Philippians 3:10). Obeying God is more important than preserving our lives (Acts 21:13; 25:11; 20:24).
The bible encourages Christians to view death fearlessly and with the joy of knowing we shall eventually be with Christ forever on the other side of death. Paul sums it this way, “We would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). While in prison, Paul writes, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If it is to be life in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me. Yet which I shall choose, I cannot tell. I am hard-pressed between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better (Philippians 1:21–23). Here are John’s words in Revelation: “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labours, for their deeds follow them!'” (Revelation 14:13). Jesus died to “deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage” (Hebrew 2:15).
Examples from the Martyrs
The worldly system has been doing its best to eliminate Christianity. Every organization that sets values against the Christian standpoint is heavily funded to push its agenda. In the past, Christians faced death threats. It still happens in some parts of the world today. Many have been imprisoned and killed.
During the times of the Roman empire, Christians had a habit of meeting each day to repeat together a set form of prayer to Christ as God, to bind themselves by an obligation-not indeed to commit wickedness; never to steal, or commit adultery, or to speak falsely and never to defraud any man: after which it was their custom to gather for a meal. The governments of the day accused Christians of being atheists due to their denial of the other gods and for refusing to worship the Emperor. Thus, they were charged with treason to the state. They were accused of “secret immoral worship” practices, including cannibalism, incest, and beastalism. They were also accused of being haters of humanity and for having irrational beliefs.
Following the accusations, they were asked to either recant their faith or face death. Many Christians stood firm on their faith and died joyfully and willingly. The cruelties used in Christian persecution made the crowds shudder with horror at the sight and also astonished at the endurance of the suffering Christians. Some Christian martyrs were forced to pass over thorns, sharp shells and nails on bare feet; others were beaten until their sinews and veins were left bare, and after suffering the most excruciating forms of torture, they were destroyed by terrible deaths. It has been said that Christian lives are comprised of “persecution above ground and prayer below ground. “
Both pagans and Christians buried their dead in underground tombs. Foxe’s Book of Martyrs narrates the following concerning the writings on tombs of Christians and pagans in the wake of the horrible stories of Christian persecution, “The inscriptions on their graves indicated peace, joy and triumph. Some examples include: “Here lies Marcia, put to rest in a dream of peace.” “Lawrence to his sweetest son, borne away of angels.” “Victorious in peace and in Christ.” “Being called away, he went in peace.” “In contrast, some pagan inscriptions read, “Live for the present hour, since we are sure of nothing else.” “I lift my hands against the gods who took me away at the age of twenty though I had done no harm.” “Once, I was not. Now, I am not. I know nothing about it, and it is no concern of mine.” “Traveler, curse me not as you pass, for I am in darkness and cannot answer.”
There is no view of death in the entire universe that provides hope as the Christian view does. As much as the African view includes life after death, there is no justice served in that worldview of hope for those who lived God-honoring lives. It offers a reward system for the ancestors who lived well. The Christian view gives hope even to the one who calls upon the Lord with their last breath. It provides hope for a life we all desire, one without pain, sorrow, and tears, for those who rest in Christ and are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9, Rev. 21:3-4).
References
The Third Persecution, Under Trajan, A.D. 108 – Fox’s Book of Martyrs. https://www.biblestudytools.com/history/foxs-book-of-martyrs/the-third-persecution-under-trajan-a-d-108.html
