What a strange week it has been...I found myself agreeing with Brian McLaren on Monday and now I find myself struggling with Todd Friel's comments today (Tuesday). Surely I am not emerging? Ha. Well I encourage you all to take a listen to this podcast of Way of the Master Radio June 23, 2006 - Hour 1 "Does everyone who commits suicide go to hell?" Interesting topic! Let me know what you think of Todd's answer along with what you believe and what scriptures show us concerning this subject!
http://www.wotmradio.com/2006/06/23/june-23-2006-hour-1/
Way of the Pastor,
Joe
I didn't listed to Todd's schpiel, but I dealt with this when I saw the latest Luther film, and so my opinion isn't likely to change.
ReplyDelete1) Jesus said the only sin that cannot be forgiven is blaspheme of the Holy Spirit.
2) We are all likely to die with unconfessed sin.
I see it similarly to the carnal Christian. Because suicide is self-murder, it is a pretty serious deal, but it is possible for Christians to have a major stumbling. Just like it is possible for a Christian to stumble into an adulterous affair, they could stumble into suicide. The fact is that some Christians don't live in the victory that Christ purchased for them. They know what is right, but they do not know how to live in the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish it. The Bible doesn't give an assurance of salvation to these folks, but the Bible seems to indicate that there will be folks like that in heaven.
So, since only blaspheme of the Holy Spirit is unforgivable. All believers almost necessarily will die with unconfessed sins. Since Christians can stumble - even in huge ways. Because Christ died for the believers past, present, and future sins. Then I think it is reasonable to think at least some people who committed suicide could wind up in heaven even though the last thing they did was pretty serious.
Okay, just listened to Todd. Did I miss something? What did you disagree with?
ReplyDelete-Ben
no pun intended but your killing me Steve...at a loss for words?
ReplyDeleteOh crap, where did I put my salvation?!
ReplyDeleteI just listened, and the funny thing is that I agree with nearly everything Todd had to say on this issue. I don't consider myself a Calvinist, but almost on this subject. If one can be 'saved' and then not, it would have to be an intentional turning away and a rejection of God's gift (predictably, I'm not 100% sure about that). The conscious intent of the guy was not to move away from God, but to end pain. Was he right? No. Was it sin? Yes. Did he go to. Hell no. (Did I put the punctuation in the right spot?) I think that the most poignant thing I have ever heard Todd say is on the issue of trusting that God is good and just and resting in that.
paz