Questions of Death & Suffering

• The question of death is closely related to the question of suffering.
• The question of death asks what our final destiny is.
• The question of suffering asks why suffering exists.

• Commonly held views of suffering & death relate to our outlook on history.
• Suffering is a result of the progressive struggle of matter & ideas.
• It is a normal part of the ongoing cycle of history.
• Figure: "History: Issues & Views."
• Terminal views of death align with birth-decay cyclic view of history.
• Eternal views hold that one's substance, family, influence or spirit lives on.

• God's original plan for life was longevity.
• Life was to be sustained through the tree of life (Gen 2:9, 16, Rev 22:2).
• God warned the man that death would be a result of disobedience (Gen 2:17).
• There is no mention of suffering or death before the fall (Gen 2:5-25).

• The fall of humanity resulted in broken relationships with God, others & nature.
• Death was the punishment for disobeying God (Gen 3:19).
• The man & woman were therefore restricted from the tree of life (Gen 3:22-24).
• God has carried out His justice to all humankind by limiting life with death.
• There are a range of possibilities of how death occurs beginning with infertility.
• Figure: "The Spectrum of Limitations & Longevity."
• Humanity's shift from perfect to imperfect resulted in a broken world of suffering.
• Figure: "Broken People in a Broken World."
• Humankind rapidly corrupts within one generation of the creation.
• Genesis 4:3-15 is the tragic account of Cain killing his brother Able out of envy.
• Since the fall, suffering has been an inevitable part of life.
• The depths of human brokenness are evidenced by conflict & suffering.
• Figure: "Broken Symmetries in a Broken World."
• Sin has resulted in the abnormalities of death & suffering (Rom 2:9, 5:12).
• A yearning for longevity & success evidence our abnormal.

• After their punishment, God provided durable clothing (Gen 3:7, 21).
• God extends His faithfulness & mercy by preserving people & nature (Ps 36:6).
• While we are all deserving of death, the faithful & merciful God preserves.
• God's justice is complemented with mercy & preservation (Job 37:13).
• Figure: "Providence: The Ongoing Work of The Eternal God."
• God's grace is an overarching feature of the post-fall world.
• Humanity's post-fall destiny is immediate death, not a life of 70 years longevity.
• By His grace, God grants each successive moment of our life (Lk 13:1-9).
• Deserving of death, we must appreciate each moment of life we experience.
• Figure: "The Age of Grace."
• While death & suffering mark our fallen existence, the gracious God preserves.

• While suffering is always painful, there can be a beneficial side.
• For the non-Christian, suffering can be a pathway to discover God.
• For the Christian, suffering can be a means to deepen our relationship with God.
• Figure: "Pain & Gain through Suffering."

• From the Christian perspective, our existence does not end with death.
• The Bible recognizes an afterlife following our physical death (Lk 16:19-31).
• Life after death is evidenced in recent studies of resuscitated patients.
• Figure: "Beyond Death."
• If there is indeed an afterlife, the issues of death become more far reaching.
• Solomon makes several observations about life, aging, death & the afterlife.
• Figure: "Life, Aging & Death."
• Solomon recommends to get to know God & resolve eternal issues now.
• Jesus stresses immediacy because death's timing is unknown (Lk 12:16-21).
• In Chapter 18 we will explore crossing the bridge into a relationship with God.

• The afterlife fits into the greater overall pattern of God's work.
• God initiates, oversees & receives all things (Rom 11:36).
• God initiated the origin of the world giving it identity & meaning.
• He oversees the history of the world.
• God then receives people back for life's final review in the afterlife.
• Figure: "The Dynamics of God's Creation."
• God's work of eternity will be described further in Chapter 19.
• The reality of God's grace & the afterlife can be a great comfort to those in grief.

• Death & suffering are the last issues we will examine through God's creation.
• These along with the other issues of life form building blocks of God's creation.
• Figure: "A Summary of God's Creation."

• What is my final destiny?
• In God's world there is an earthly life followed by an afterlife.
• Our earthly life is punctuated by death due to our sin.
• Life is also troubled with suffering due to sin.
• But by His grace, God preserves.
• While unpleasant, suffering may be a pathway to discover God.
• Ultimately, we must resolve eternal issues & our relationship with God.