Session 11 – Suffering and Death
Death is rarely discussed in a church context – outside of funerals. First we will consider
some abstract issues, then a more personal examination.
Dualism, Survivability and Naturalistic-grounded Proof
Two views on what a person is:
1) Physicalist: only matter and death is the end.
2) Dualist: body and soul, surviving death is a possibility.
Are there any experiential or rational ways to demonstrate that a soul exists? Some have
suggested:
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Near-death experiences
Spiritualism or paranormal experiences
These would be rejected by Adventism for doctrinal reasons, not based on human-derived
experience. But a Physicalist can also provide plausible explanations. Such ‘evidence’
falls short of a proof.
Plato has an extended dialog in the Phaedo that attempts to provide arguments proving
the existence of a soul. But these arguments also are far from compelling. [1]
God’s Capabilities Needed for Our Resurrection
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Must capture and hold our complete identities at our deaths.
New, better bodies, must be provided to reinstantiate us.
A complete surrounding world must be made for us to live in – better than the
current one.
God’s would have to want to do this for us.
Identity
What sort of person would/should we come back as?
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We need to be recognizable. What age is really ‘us’?
Our bodies and minds are short of the ideal – from birth. Some are severely
crippled, others have diminished mental capacity. To what extent do these factors
contribute to our identity?
The Afterlife and Hell
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Is our concept of heaven realistic? What should be the purpose of a now-immortal
person?
The classic version of the Christian doctrine of Hell seems unfair. A similar
fairness question can be raised about the fate of those who never had an
opportunity to hear about Christianity.
Getting Personal
“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we
have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” – 1 Cor. 15:17-19.
Fear of Death
Epicurus (341-270 BC) argued that we should not fear death.
“Death, the most frightening of bad things, is nothing to us; since when we exist
death is not yet present, and when death is present, then we do not exist” (Letter
to Menoeceus, p. 125).
Do you think most people would agree or disagree with him?
Why might death be frightening? Two considerations:
1) Suffering before death
2) Nihilism – the idea that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic
value.
We Act Immortal
Freud suggested that our unconscious does not believe in its own death. It behaves as if it
were immortal. I would agree. We always look forward. How should we expect to react
to the loss of meaning that annihilation would entail? Can we really live without
expecting a future?
Some Questions to Consider:
Q: In the video Frederick Lee states “faith creates the problem of pain.” Michael Shermer
responded “So just get rid of the faith, and that’s it.” Does this fix the problem? What’s
your reaction to this exchange?
Q: Do you believe the doctrine of Hell (as classically taught in Christianity) is an
impediment to belief?
Q: Do you fear death personally? Is so, why? If not, why?
Q: Would you rather know in advance that your death was imminent (e.g. from
diagnosed cancer) or have it come without warning (e.g. a traffic accident)? Why?