Discussion Questions
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Commenting on death, Dallas Willard said, “Death is avoided in common discussions by human beings because it is the ultimate failure. At death you face the fact you are not God, you do not run the universe. Death is the ultimate vulnerability.” In what ways have you seen people express their sense of vulnerability when considering their own death or the death of someone they care about? Do you agree with the statement: “At death you face the fact you are not God”? Explain your answer.
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I think that at death you are not necessarily facing the fact that we are not God, I think we know that all along. I think is the possible finality of our existence that scares many of us. How will be live on if that is possible in any way? Do we live on in the lives that we made better only or do our spirits have life eternal? Is God truly watching us and seeing all and waiting to welcome us into eternal life through him.
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I’ve worked in many skilled nursing facilities and I’ve seen a lot of death. Seems I’ve seen 2 general scenarios: peace or no peace. In peaceful situations it seems people are rather quiet, sometimes laughter, singing, tears. In other situations I’ve seen arguments, recriminations, ugly confrontations.
I agree that at some point you face the fact that you are not God, I count my reckoning of that fact the greatest victory. Now I can devote my remaining time to serving the One who IS God by loving others. Seems awfully sad to realize this fact at your death.
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As to the first question- i’ve only known a few people who have died. They died in old age and i believe they were ready to meet God. As for the second question, i guess for non-believers this could be true. As for me I already know that I am not God, I am not in control nor do I want to be in control. We have to pass from this world to reach the next. The physical death of our mortal bodies is not the true death. Total separation from God is the true Death. Those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior have been saved from this Death. For those who refuse to believe or who believe but refuse to accept Him will suffer this death and for them death is a scary thought to avoid at all cost.
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I saw an article or a documentary or something – I cannot remember, but I clearly remember that it said that when people, no matter where, no matter who, when confronted with a death like experience or death, all cry out God and some do not even realize they are doing so. We so badly want to control everything around us and be tough and be on top of things, when we can clearly see that is not the case and whn death comes a knocking, we realize we are not God and never really had control
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I have seen people who otherwise wouldn’t – reach out to God when they are confronted with death. I have seen them get angry, depressed, blame God or others. They realize that they have no control over their lives or the lives of others. That lack of control will oftentimes scare most people, and that fear often translates to anger. Sometimes anger at God – a God that they otherwise wouldn’t talk to, talk about or even think twice about, which is so sad, but they realize, only at this point, that HE is in control, not them.
Yes, I definitely agree with the statement, “At death you face the fact that you are not God.” I feel this way because as I previously stated in the last question, when faced with death, this is when people realize that they are not in control. They are helpless. This is when they are forced to face their own mortality and the hard fact that all they have worked to accumulate in their life (material wealth,/possessions) they are unable to take with them and have zero control over what happens to all that accumulated “stuff” after they’re gone. Sure, you can leave a will and hire a lawyer, leave a “trusted” friend or family member in charge, but you have no real way of knowing that your wishes will be carried out once you’re dead, do you? That’s when you will see that a life chasing after “things” is pointless and meaningless and truly a life wasted. As the Bible reads, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures on Earth, where rust and moth doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” (Matthew 6:19,20)
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Doug Groothuis stated, “Our culture is very interested in life after death. You think of the interest in near-death experiences, in attempting to communicate with spirit guides or higher beings, or I think some of the interest in extraterrestrial life is really rooted in a desire to transcend the limitations of this life.” Do you agree with Doug Groothuis’ statement? Why or why not? Can you think of other theories that speak to the human need to survive death? What are they? Why are those views held?
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Some people when faced with their own, or someone else’s death they become filled with emotions or feelings. A common emotion is anger about the death, and why God would allow it to happen. You have to remember God has a plan for everyone, and the death of any will effect you. God tests us through this trial to trust him and believe that he has a plan for them. Now, if you are facing death you still have to believe in God to protect and guide the ones you love, and know that you are still being used by God. To me that would make me be at peace to know that I’m still doing His work.
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Yes, our culture is interested in life after death, because they think there is another life out in space. No, because as a Christian when I die, I know that I’m going to heaven. If you are a Christian you know where your going after death, so we don’t believe in all the other theories.