Area 11 of questioning
Life after death.
This is a very sensitive area to discuss but it is also one where I may have to ‘Start all over again’. I certainly have to do some radical questioning, serious revision and maybe a lot of ‘faithful rejection’. The ramifications of this are enormous and very confronting for me because I claim to be a panentheist and I have rejected the dualism of Heaven and Earth. It is a sensitive area because it appears to be important for so many regular church-goers. The individualistic emphasis in some expressions of Christianity suggest that ‘the faith’ is all about going to Heaven after you die.
Where does my rejection of this dualism of Heaven and Earth leave me regarding death and life after death?
I need to tackle this aspect of my journey with Jesus, because I believe this area of religious teaching is a main one in which my religion has used beliefs to exact obedience. In many cases it has done this through fear; fear of what might happen after we die. Some other world religions have done the same. In the past and continuing today to some extent, Christianity has used concepts of life after death to frighten people into adhering to certain beliefs, to perform certain religious rituals and to behave in certain ways. “If you don’t believe this and don’t behave in this way you will go to Hell but if you do believe this and behave this way you will be rewarded with Heaven.” is unfortunately still used as a treat of rewards and punishments. For some, this has been a source of hope, hope in something good or better than this life, in the life hereafter, but for others it has been the opposite. This was prominent in what I remember of my early church instruction.
For some, and I may be seen to be over-dramatizing this matter, I believe the ideas of rewards and punishments still lingers even though it as has diminished in my recent church experience. When life after death is seriously contemplated, the question, “Are you saved?” can arise and that prompts the further question, “Saved from what?” As I have said preciously, usually ‘being saved’ conjures up the idea of being saved from something nasty or at least from something that is not good. My understanding of salvation is certainly linked with ‘being saved’ from something bad and this has led to Fall/Redemption theology. Jesus paid the price for my sins. He died! He received punishment and because of that I don’t have to.
I do not follow this path.
It is nearly universally accepted that we have no certainty at all about what happens after our physical death, if anything. This area of discussion may be somewhat difficult because some people can become dogmatic about the correctness of their views and this, I suggest, is not helpful. Some people think they know but their so-called ‘knowledge’ is really a belief which cannot be proven or disproved. This subject is also sensitive because people experience many different feelings when personally confronted by the profound Mystery surrounding death. For the one who has died, I believe what happens, happens, if anything does. We just don’t know.
As with comments I have made about prayers of intercession, I wish to deal with this subject dispassionately, not wanting to pour ridicule or disdain at all, on any belief that people find helpful for themselves. I can only share my experiences and ideas as a thought-provoker, hoping they may be helpful and not offensive.
So what have been my life experiences? I have had little experience of trauma and death during my life. My mother and father died many years ago. My grieving was sincere then but time has passed. I was brought up in a loving family with three elder brothers. Two of my brothers are still alive, one well over 80 and the other over 90, however, my eldest brother died a few years ago. Three of my sisters-in-law have also died, one of them more recently. These are the closest members of my family who have died, all of whom I remember well and all of them made a significant contribution to my life. However those who have died were not as close to me as the members of my immediate present family. My wife of nearly 60 years and my four daughters, their partners and their children are all still alive and well. Looking more broadly at grief and loss, I have never suffered from any prolonged serious illness nor had any significant life-changing injury. My family has had many pets over the years and these have died but my attachment to them was not all that significant. I have never lost my job and never been in any extremely traumatic situation of uncertainty or insecurity. It could be said that I speak with no real experience of what deep personal grief or loss is. I think that is true. I don’t have any significant experience of deep grief that I can share. In a sense it could be said that I have led ‘a charmed life’ so I venture ahead in this chapter, very tentatively.
I know there are millions in the world today, maybe most of humanity, who want something better compared with what they are experiencing here and now. Many experience loss of security, significant health issues, tragedy, trauma, death of loved ones, uncertainty, torture, homelessness, starvation; all kinds of suffering. If my experience of life was worse than it has been and presently is, I may well hope for a Heaven, a different place after I die, which would be much better than the here and now. I cannot even begin to imagine what some people have gone through, and/or are going through in life. I certainly would never criticise them for holding any beliefs that give them hope in the future. Some individuals and many groups of people are exploited, traumatised and oppressed continually, having little to no hope for a better earthly future. When hope is extinguished I think people, in a very real way, die. That which engenders hope can sustain people in their suffering and I would never wish to belittle or frown upon any source of hope. In all this I believe I am talking about life and not death. However, life can be so unbearable that a belief in a better life after death can be a real source of hope.
In a detached way, if I may, I need to discuss this matter.
Just about everything I have been taught about life after death by the church and other sources in my 80 plus years, has been, what I now consider to be unhelpful, even absurd. Most of it has been completely tethered to time and space and this causes it to make no logical sense to me. At worst, it has been used as a manipulative set of ideas which has engendered fear in me. I regret that I have to ‘faithfully reject’ the orthodox, traditional teachings I have been given on this matter but I feel I have no other option.
The teaching I remember was much the same, I think, as the Christian teaching given to numerous church-goers down the ages. After we physically die, our immortal soul lives on and goes to another realm, the spiritual realm. Its name is Heaven. The church teachings I have received, state that God is there and after death we will face judgement concerning our behaviour. Hopefully we will be forgiven and accepted by God. We may meet with loved ones who have died previously. We will be at peace and rest. We will have no more suffering, pain or discomfort, no more struggle or stress. We will see God and Jesus face to face and worship them for ever. Love permeates this realm and there will be no more tears, neither sorrow nor crying. A very comforting image for many. Some believe all of this; others may believe some of it; some believe none of it. I find it saturated with anthropomorphic theism and dualism so I am not able to ‘faithfully affirm’ it.
I accept that different aspects of these teachings can be extremely important and helpful to many people. It might mean that meeting again with a dearly loved but departed one, gives great hope. It might mean that relief from pain and suffering is paramount. It might mean being at peace and rest is what is longed for. These can be the real hopes of those who are about to die. They may also be the wishes of those still living, wishes for the one who is dying or who has died. However, these wishes, I suggest, have to do with the immediate and short term future, not eternity.
Depending on the way death occurs, suddenly or after a long period of suffering, the death of a child or an aged parent, the reactions of those still living can be incredibly different. Every death is unique and reactions of those still living are also all unique.
Grieving reactions to a death can include such things as shock, anger, guilt and regrets, sadness, indifference, fear, acute loneliness, bitterness, withdrawal, relief; to name but a few. The work of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and others have suggested 5 stages of the human reaction to loss, particularly the loss of a loved one. These stages are said to be relevant also to the reaction of one who has been told devastating news about one’s own imminent death. The stages are suggested as a way of understanding the process of grieving. The stages are listed as denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. These stages are not exclusive to each other; they may not follow the same sequence and they may not all be experienced by everyone. They may overlap or even happen concurrently. Together they can create a helpful framework in which to approach the whole issue of grief. For more information about this, the book by Kubler-Ross, ‘On Death and Dying’ is well worth a read. There are many other very good books of help.
My comments in this endeavour are not about standing beside someone who is grieving so I will leave it there. Suffice to say, that in this extremely difficult area of life, we could be involved with incredibly vulnerable people so we need to exercise the greatest sensitivity and generosity of spirit with them.
Looking at this whole matter when at the initial time of grief and trauma, I think the living usually look to the immediate short-term future for the person who has died. They are not contemplating eternity. So meeting again others who have died, having no more pain or suffering, having peace and rest, are things those still living could wish, quite naturally, for the one who has died. However, these feelings usually are connected with ideas of the dualism of Heaven and Earth that I reject.
All this leaves me with nothing, it would seem. Death winning? Death having the last say? Death being victorious? Can I dig myself out of this huge empty hole? Are there any positives for the person who does not believe in traditional teachings about life after death? Does dualism of Heaven and Earth lead to hope and non-dualism lead to despair?
There are five main areas of teaching I have received, that I have ‘faithfully rejected’.
Death winning.
Death having the last say.
The wages of sin is death. Death is bad.
There being no change in Heaven.
Anxious fears.
1. Death winning.
I have been taught the idea that there needs to be a ‘victory’ over death. Life and death are in mortal combat. If there is no life after death then death has won. Life has been defeated and death is victorious and it’s final. I don’t believe this. The resurrection of Jesus is often spoken of in terms of his victory over death. I have been taught that Jesus ‘conquered’ death.
So what for me now?
For me, death is a normal, integral part of life. I don’t believe it is a case of winning or losing. Something which stops a particular process doesn’t necessarily mean it has won. It can mean that change in the process has taken place. It can mean that an opportunity is made for the process to continue but in a different way. A seed dies but in so doing it enables the process of life to continue but in a different way. The seed ceases to exist as a seed. It dies and change happens; not a winning or a losing. The seed has not lost by dying. I think this could be said about lots of changes that occur in nature.
Physical death brings a physical life to a conclusion but I believe that has nothing to do with victory. Death and life, for me, are not in mortal combat. They are both essential parts of the same process and they follow one another. Death brings about change in the process but it does not stop the process. That continues. Life gives way to death and death gives way to life. I believe death should be seen as an agent of transformation.
This is incredibly difficult to accept and may sound terribly insensitive and confronting. The drowning of an infant in a home swimming pool, and other untimely deaths are utterly tragic. Having had no experience of such, I cannot begin to imagine what some people have had to go through.
However, death leads to a new life and that new life leads to a new death. Change/transformation occurs continuously. Evolution teaches me that. If there needs to be a ‘victory’, I believe it can be seen as a victory over the grief that can cripple one’s growth; a victory over the grief that can keep one in despair or even bitter resentment. This, for me, is the real ‘victory’.
2. Death having the last say.
This follows logically from death ‘winning’. If death wins then it must have the ‘last say’.
So what for me now?
I don’t believe that death has the last say. It can prevent more memories being created but the memories that have already been created remain and keep speaking. They are not erased by physical death. When I have dealings with a person who is suffering because of the recent death of a loved one, I concentrate in conversation with them on their past experiences, their good memories. It has been my experience that these conversations have been, without exception, positive and helpful. This is a process that does not allow death to have the last say. Memories have their continued say after the death of the person remembered. I believe that memories keep us connected in a strange and mystical but in a real way, to loved ones who have died. The person who has physically died lives on in our memories.
Memories are incredibly important. Sometimes I hear someone say, “Oh. That’s just a memory”, as though it is unimportant. I think that is a pity. I think we can very easily undervalue memories. Memories are an essential part of our living. Without them we would be lost. Some would nearly go so far as to say that it is memories that enable living to continue. Many fear the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease, which can change life beyond measure. Some might even say it virtually takes life away from the person. It is frustrating when the person cannot remember where the toilet is but it is tragic, particularly for friends and loved ones who are standing by, when the person can’t remember loved ones’ names or any of the experiences they have shared in the past.
Memories are living recollections of the past. I have heard it said many times, “I remember it so well as if it happened yesterday.”, but it may have happened many years ago. After we die physically, we do live on in the memories of those who knew us. I believe this is part of our own on-going living. The memories created continue to speak to us. We know this, so let us hang onto it. Death does not have the last say.
3. The wages of sin is death. Death is bad.
My experience is that I have been totally conditioned to think that death epitomises all that is sad, grim, lamentable and even demonic. Death has certainly been considered something of dread over the centuries and still is. This may be one of the reasons why, in my Christian experience, death is always presented as that which must be conquered. Sin and death are commonly linked. Death, in the church teaching I have been given, has epitomised everything that is the opposite to life so if I think life is good then death must be bad.
In Romans 6:23 it states, ‘The wages of sin is death’. This has been a major teaching I have received in my Christian upbringing. In this context death may have a meaning different to that of physical death. However, my behaviour is linked with my death. Death is punishment for sin. I think this teaching is tragic.
So what for me now?
Death is part of the natural sequence of events, the life-death-life-death-life cycle. This for me, is one of the fundamentals of being. I am not advocating re-incarnation, however, everything that has life eventually dies. Plants, insects, trees, birds, animals, humans all die. Do they all sin? Is their death the result of their sin?
Might not death be considered bad or evil because it is a major cause of grief? The experience of loss can be so acute when the death of a loved one occurs. It can feel so final. The person or people left can feel utterly desolate. And if the grief is not dealt with, at least to some extent, the feeling that death epitomises all that is bad, can continue and increase.
After visiting nursing homes and aged-care facilities frequently and regularly for many years, I have come to realise that death is sometimes appropriate, even good. This, obviously, is not usually the case with death. In my experience, even though death is so often wished for by very elderly people, the physical body seems to resist dying, sometimes for what seems to be a long time. Medications, given nearly universally, enable or at least help facilitate this lingering. I heard recently that, “Natural death is a friend of the aged.” ‘Death being a friend’? Very hard, but it does make sense to me.
Euthanasia is a hotly debated topic in Australia at present. I would suggest that many proponents of euthanasia would argue that death is appropriate, even good, in some extreme circumstances. Death is seen as better for the person who is just surviving, particularly when experiencing tremendous and continuous pain with a condition that will inevitably lead to imminent death. Can death sometimes be good?
4. There being no change in Heaven.
One of the hymns I can remember singing in a church service has the lyrics,
In heavenly love abiding,
No change my heart shall fear;
And safe in such confiding,
For nothing changes here.[1]
This was giving confirmation that love alone is experienced in Heaven and that does not change. It seems there is no variation or contrasts in the traditional ideas of Heaven and in what I have been taught about life after death. In my experience, one of the best known hymns that comes to mind when thinking about life after death is ‘Guide me, O thou great Jehovah/Redeemer’.
When I tread the verge of Jordan
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death and hell’s destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to thee
I will ever give to thee.[2]
‘I will ever give to thee’ is the final thought in this hymn. Do we sing for billions of years? Looked at literally, away from the moment of trauma and loss, the idea makes no sense to me. If I do think about the lyrics, they present a rather frightening scenario. No change!
I wonder if many people ever think of eternity when they think about life after death. I think most may not. Someone once said to me that, ‘Singing praises for eternity is a rather hellish view of Heaven.’ Also, I personally cannot imagine anything worse than an eternity ‘At rest’; a phrase that is often used when speaking of someone who has died. I think these ideas are seldom linked to eternity in even regular church-goers’ minds.
So what for me now?
No variation is a significant reason why traditional ideas and words about Heaven and life after death make no sense to me. Strong and weak, sickness and health, good and bad, justice and injustice, war and peace, all exist in our life’s experience. Life is full of contrast. For me, no variation breeds pointlessness and boredom. I would suggest that life’s contrasts give it purpose and stimulate human effort and endeavour.
Eternity and the time/space paradigm just don’t mix. That is why we cannot take many of these words and teachings literally. We use these words/ideas when trying to bring comfort to those grieving and this is an endeavour born out of love and compassion. But might it not be better, when talking about what happens after our physical death, just to speak of Mystery?
5. Anxious fears.
From the hymn immediately above, I quote, ‘Bid my anxious fears subside’[3] is part of the treading ‘the verge of Jordan’[4]. If God is love, as seen in Jesus for the Christian, what ‘anxious fears’ have to subside? Do these fears have to do with judgement and punishment? I hope not. The idea of life after death when linked with a judgemental God who rewards and punishes, is for me, grotesque. It has been used by religious leaders of different faiths for thousands of years, and unfortunately is still used today by many, to control the masses, to instil fear, to encourage violence, to impose gross beliefs about God, to prevent enquiry and human spiritual growth.
So what for me now?
If anxiety has to do with uncertainty, unanswerable questions, that, for me, is not unreasonable. We want to know what is happening and even what is likely to happen in the future. This is far better than anxiety about punishment. Eternal punishment has no place in my beliefs about the God I see in Jesus.
Is there any more for me?
I wish to say something about life; or to be more personal, my life. I believe me, my life is a lot more than my own personality, my own being, my own living, my own doing, my own individuality, that which is mainly contained and experienced in my own body. In my understanding of me, my life spreads much wider. It is more than my own consciousness, my own experiences, my own perceptions, attitudes and beliefs. These all go to make me; they even define and constitute who I am, but they do not set the limits of my understanding of me and my life.
I understand me, my life, in terms of numerous extensions from my personal individuality. I understand me, my life, in terms of the love and lack of love I demonstrate with others, the relationships I have with others, the memories I create with others and the memories others create with me. I understand me, my life, in terms of the contributions I make to the world and the way I accept or reject the contributions of others. These relationships, memories, contributions are all unique to me. They would not exist without me and I would not exist without them, so I understand them as an inseparable aspect of me, my life. These, to an extent, go to make me, even define and constitute who I am.
I also want to say that my life, me is connected to everything else in the universe. If I did not exist the universe would be a little bit different. I would not exist if it were not for the universe and all that is in it.
It would not surprise me if many people consider their life to be their own individuality, their own consciousness, their own breathing, and their own physical being. I think many might think that their personal life does not really include contributions to the world, relationships with others, memories that have been created. I can imagine someone saying, “These are all connected to me but they are not me.” Maybe I am creating my own meaning of the words ‘me and my life’ but that’s where I am starting from. When I talk about death, and thus life after death, I am using my understanding of ‘me and my life’; quite a broad understanding, I believe, and maybe not shared by too many others. I don’t know.
So, the love that has been shared does not die. It is remembered and lives on. The memories of this can be very sustaining. They can engender thankfulness. They can cause tears to flow, but maybe tears of joy as well as of sadness. Even if I do not continue in any personal, individual, physical way after I die, love does continue. To the extent that I have been loving, I have helped love flourish. To the extent that I have not been loving, I have hindered love’s blossoming.
When I remember someone who has died, I am thankful for the love they have shown and I try forgive their unloveliness. I hope others will do the same for me when I die. I affirm the positive contribution they have made to life and try to forgive the not-so-good parts. These feelings continue after the person being remembered has physically died whether they have a continued personal, individual everlasting life or not. I believe these feelings keep alive a mystical connection between the living and those who have died.
I believe that our legacy, as well as memories associated with us, lives on in the minds and lives of others. If I say that our influence lives on, I believe I am pointing to our personal legacy that continues to have life after we physically die. Legacy is broader than memory. Memory, in our context here, has to do with one’s personal relationships the person who has died. Our legacy is broader than this. If we have written a book or books, painted any picture/s, created a website, built a structure, made some contribution to our community, etc., these live on after us for a time, and for some people, a long time. These are not small things and they do not depend on whether or not we personally, individually live on in some state other than the physical, after we physically die. Our legacy contributes to history. It continues at least for a period. Shakespeare’s legacy is probably much bigger than that of most other people but we all leave our unique legacy. This legacy is often mentioned when the person who has died, is spoken of. I believe that every person who has lived has made a difference, even if it is very small. My/your contribution remains. Someone might say, “My dad built the Sydney Harbour Bridge.” Absolutely true and his legacy lives on, at least for a period.
As well, I believe our influence continues through the nurture we have given to any children and grand-children we may have had. This influence can be far broader than for just the immediate family but this influence is unique! It is connected to us and no-one else. I believe in a mystical sense that the deceased person continues to have life after physical death through their nurturing which still has influence.
Biology tells us that part of our physical side continues. I am made up of billions of indestructible atoms which are billions of years old and I am more than happy to think that they might join the universe in a different way after I physically die, and continue to contribute, infinitesimally I know, in some way. It has been said to me a number of times that, “You might push up some daisies.” It is often said in a derogatory or demeaning way but it sounds absolutely delightful to me. I hope some of the atoms that presently form me, do. But again people say to me, “But it won’t be you that is pushing the daisies up. It will be some atoms that once formed you, that will be doing the pushing.” I am comfortable with that. These indestructible atoms and molecules have been and continue to be part of the universe. I love George Stuart with all my warts (I might need to think about that one a bit more, I reckon!!!) but I am very happy to release these atoms from my individuality and let them go their own way and continue to make a contribution to the universe for ever, in a different way. I don’t own them. They have been loaned to me by the universe for a short moment.
Also, biologically speaking, if we have had children, we have passed on our genes to them and these genes continue to physically live on after we physically die. Half of a baby's genes come from its father and half from its mother. This is why we might say, “You’re the spitting image of your mother/father.” The baby's parents in turn, inherited half of their genes from each of their own parents. One quarter of each person's genes therefore, come from the grandparents. In a diminishing way, but being more widely distributed, our genes give us continued physical life after our own personal physical death. If we have had no biological children then of course the story is different.
I know these scientific, biological facts are not contemplated at the time of a loved one’s death because they are of little to no comfort, but they are not insignificant for me when discussing this issue more dispassionately. They speak of a continuing physical life but of course our feelings of grief take us to a different place. However, I believe we are inseparably connected to the universe, and this continues after our physical death.
Funerals.
I welcome the change of emphasis in my community from a funeral to a ‘Service of Celebration of the life of …’. This is what a service of memorial is often called. I think that is good.
Unfortunately, it is my experience that there is virtually no positive sharing or learning opportunities given to regular church-goers on this matter of life after death. The major exposures we get are through the hymns we sing in church services and at funerals we attend. The liturgies used at church funerals give some exposure to the church’s teachings. This, I suggest, is grossly inadequate, and, for me, most of it is unhelpful.
One example that identifies my problem with the church’s teachings is a passage in John’s Gospel which is, in my experience, a standard Bible reading used at Christian church funerals. I hear it repeatedly.
‘Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.’ (John 14:1-3.)
Looked at closely, these words do not mention death. The author has Jesus speaking about ‘my Father’s house’ and Jesus and his disciples being together. The church however, has used the words as Jesus’ teaching about living after death, being in Heaven with him. I believe this is the understanding that people attending church funerals, gain. I believe that very often these words may be taken literally. These words pre-suppose a dualism of Heaven and Earth that belongs to, and was accepted by 1st century people as the normal way of thinking. It was part of their world view. I think a great number of 21st century people, including an increasing number of regular church-goers, think differently about such matters. Many embrace Mystery.
To digress for a moment. I find as totally inappropriate a reading often used in Christian funeral services.
No one comes to the Father but by me. (John 14:8.)
These days many people who go to funerals do not frequently attend church services and for them, if they listen to this verse, it would convey a very exclusive message. Only those who are Christian, who believe in Jesus and go to church regularly, can expect to get God’s blessing and others will not be able to ‘come to the Father.’ What about the person who has died? Does she/he qualify? I suppose most give the benefit of any doubt to the deceased. I believe this particular verse should never be used in a funeral service. For years I have refused to read it.
The statement in many church funeral services is that, “Those who are in Christ shall never die.” In cold hard facts, we are present at a funeral to the coffin that encases the person who has died. What can that phrase ‘shall never die’ mean? I think an increasing number of people regard such words as gobble-de-gook. Maybe I’m being too literal but maybe many people think this way. I can imagine that for some, this phrase might be unhelpful in coming to terms with the death. Death is real. It can cause great pain and distress, feelings of desperate separation, however I believe we need to confront it. I’m not sure that such phrases help this happen.
All this leads me to think that the words, phrases and ideas that many church leaders/teachers use when speaking of life after death and use in funerals, shows that the church is continuing to teach about life after death in terms of the dualism of Heaven and Earth which I believe many, if not most people today, have abandoned. Maybe this is one of the reasons why more and more people are having funerals conducted by civil celebrants and are held in non-religious funeral parlours. That’s fine by me and maybe be necessary for some people.
‘Strange’ experiences.
Some people have ‘strange’ experiences of loved ones after the loved one has died. They may ‘see’ them or ‘hear’ them or ‘feel their presence’ in a very special way. There are some psychological explanations of these phenomena but in mentioning such possible explanations, I do not wish to diminish the realness and possible richness of these experiences for those who have had them. I do not engage in these explanations when people are telling me about these experiences; that is unless they ask. I just accept their feelings of joy, bewilderment or whatever.
Many people have these experiences. They are not uncommon, so some reassurance is what can be given when people think they might be going out of their mind. These experiences are not unique to them. They are not alone. Encouragement to try to enjoy but not necessarily expect any future possible similar experience, could be in order. The transcendent or extraordinary/inexplicable can become part of our imminent experience.
For me, these and other inexplicable experiences are not proof of another realm or of the supernatural. These experiences of life go ‘beyond ordinary limits, surpassing and extraordinary’. They are part of the transcendental dimension of life, however, these experiences are also part of our imminent experience. They are a very real part of the Mystery and I am willing to live with that Mystery.
All is Mystery so let us hang onto things we know and leave all else to Mystery. Let us remember those who have died with love, thankfulness and yes, forgiveness. Let us know that their physical side does live on in a very different way. Let us continue to experience their influence and connect with their legacy. Let them continue to live on in our lives, as we remember.
If we live and move and have our being in God then I believe we die into God whatever that means. It might mean that the atoms and molecules that at present form me, disburse into the universe in some way to make a continuing contribution. It may also mean that my personal individuality continues in some other spiritual form. Both, I believe are in God. For my loved ones who have died, this is my comfort. God is love so my dear ones are in that which is soaked in, saturated with love. All has been and continues to be in God. All is well.
Mystery? Yes but that’s the way it is. Our present experience is grief and in this time and place we are in God. God grieves in us. Our tears are God’s tears and God’s tears are our tears. When we get a hug from a loved one in time of grief, God is hugging us and we are hugging God. The hug is soft yet firm and secure so let us hang on. Sad. Absolutely. But all is well.
From my lyrics, No. 27:
When Tears Begin to Flow
Tune Belmont
In life we meet the times that please
But also times of dread;
We know they can bring joy and peace;
But also gloom can spread.
In tears we share with those who cry
God’s love is on display;
A calming word, supporting hug
Reflect the Jesus’ way.
As I have already said many times; I realise that in this life many, many people get more than their fair share of trauma and suffering. I might have different ideas about life after death if my life had been different. I do not begrudge people at all, the desire, the hope, the belief that there is something better.
In the end, how do we hold the tremendous significance of each moment together with limitless time? How do we hold our threescore years and ten or how many we do have, together with the billions of years since the Big Bang? Believing in an afterlife for eternity, the way I have been taught by the church, is little to help me with all my questions.
How do we accept our sublime significance as well as our utter insignificance, holding them both as important? My significance and insignificance suggests that I need not postulate an immortal soul for me, but it also suggests that every living moment has unique purpose for me and others. The way we use each moment lives on. Our contribution lives on. A difference has been accomplished. That is significant. On the other hand, my insignificance comes to the fore when I contemplate the BIG picture and my extremely limited time of life and its influence.
Jesus and his resurrection.
With no acceptance of dualism, no separate realm called Heaven, how do I view the resurrection of Jesus? I suggest that the story of the empty tomb taken literally, is a distraction from the real meaning of Jesus’ resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus, for me, in no way revolves around an empty tomb. A belief in Jesus’ physical resurrection is not important for me anymore. The resurrection of Jesus is a statement for me, about the living influence of his life in my life. The memory I have of Jesus, the legacy of his teachings and the continuing influence he has in my life is what is alive. That, for me, is his resurrection; just as with other human people I have known. The influence they play in my life determines how alive they are to me and for me. The resurrection of Jesus has everything to do with his living presence with me and in me and has nothing to do with a resuscitated corpse or even an everlasting soul he may or may not have had.
What about Hitler? With this sort of thinking, he too has risen from the dead because his influence is still alive and well in the minds and endeavours of some people. For me, this is absolutely true and convinces me that any life after death is inseparably bound up with our human legacy and the memories others have of us. The legacy of Jesus outweighs the legacy of Hitler completely, utterly and absolutely, even though both exist. Jesus’ legacy is good and not evil. I remember Jesus’ legacy and try to forget Hitler’s, but they both, Jesus and Hitler, have their life after death.
I believe Jesus is alive, challenging us to reach our potential, to search for new and significant ways to make this world a better place. I can imagine tears of joy well up within him when he sees people doing this, and tears of sadness come when they don’t. I can imagine that if Jesus had a chat with Hitler, he might say something like, “Look Adolph, don’t you yet realise that you can’t win? Hate lasts for a time but love never ends. Love lasts for ever. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things. The past is past; a source of grief and accepted as such; so let’s leave it there. It can’t be changed so let it be. We’ve got far more important things to do than hate one-another. Put it behind you. Come on; join my team. Let us love one another.” (All in my imagination, of course.)
In this section of ‘My journey with Jesus’, I hope my comments have not been offensive. I hope some may have been helpful. I personally feel such things need to be said. I offer them and suggest that more contemplation is appropriate. If I have more time to be physically alive, I certainly have a lot more experiencing and ‘faithful questioning’ to do. In this part of my journey I think I may have needed to ‘Start all over again’.
All is Mystery and that Mystery is all sacred. I believe that I live and move and have my being in God, as we all do, so I believe that I and all of us, die into God. If I have any continuing sensory perceptions and experiences as George Stuart after my physical death, I pray they will bring about more wholeness and unity with the God I learn about from Jesus.
[1] Anna Waring, Together in Song, Hymn No. 588, verse 1.
[2] William Williams, Together in Song, Hymn No. 569, verse 3.
[3] Ibid, verse 3.
[4] Ibid, verse 3.