• Discussion Forum

  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.

  Gail Bradley replied 4 months, 2 weeks ago 34 Members · 34 Replies

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  Irena Sokol

  Member

  01/28/2023 at 22:46

  I fully agree with Dallas Willard regarding the statement, “ At death you face the fact you are not God.” When faced with death of those in close relationship, especially withvperaona brush with death; people sober up to reality of personal vulnerability and question the existence of God.

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  John Lycett

  Member

  01/18/2023 at 07:02

  I agree! Throughout ones life a person can express NO faith in God or any gods, but as it gets nearer to a life ending, maybe through old age or illness most people do think about life after death. They have no control over this and will think about God. It’s sure that a person who never expressed a faith in God will turn to the church in the hope they will be saved.

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  Michelle Brinnon

  Member

  10/24/2022 at 12:28

  I am not sure that our failure to discuss death comes from the fear of failure. I believe that it comes from the fear of the unknown. We avoid that conversation because we are fearful of what we might learn and we are fearful of what we can not control. Death can not be controlled, it is a given and perhaps one of the only things in life that we do know is coming and we have no control over that. humans like to be in control. I have never encountered anyone within my family or social group that would express their avoidance of discussions around death to be related to the idea that they are not God. The vulnerability comes from an uneasiness in the unknown. the uneasiness of being out of control. The uneasiness of wondering, is their life after death or have I been wrong. It is our human doubt that makes us uncomfortable with the conversation.

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  Margaret Mosser

  Member

  07/30/2022 at 21:29

  We have no control over the number of days God gives us. People don’t like to think of death because it is the end of who they are. I have had a couple of grandparents pass away lately. I notice a distinct difference in the way other family members handle it. Sure I grieve, but I also know that there is life after death. I see others in the family that have not trusted Jesus grieve a lot more.

  I do agree with the statement by Willard. However, I’ve known long before death that I am not God. If you do not believe in God or believe in another god, death will be the once and for all realization to those people.

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  Lindsay Witherow

  Member

  07/04/2022 at 13:35

  In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were trying to become like God. Much of what people do is their desire to elevate themselves rather than submit to God.

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• Discussion Forum

  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?

  Gail Bradley replied 4 months, 2 weeks ago 23 Members · 23 Replies

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  Deleted User

  Deleted User

  12/16/2021 at 03:39

  I do not believe other theories about death except when you die in christ you have hundred percent to live with him in heaven, our culture is very interested in life after death because they think there’s another life out of this atmosphere but reality is that we die because this place isn’t ours we are as passenger so anytime we leave to our father in heaven it’s better to prepare our life before.

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  Ingrid Gustafson

  Member

  12/03/2021 at 19:31

  I got really sick on my birthday this past January. I had COVID really bad and was not expected to survive. I had to say goodbye to my husband and I said good bye to my boys in my head. I was ready to meet Jesus, but still asked him to not let them suffer too long after I was gone. I knew in my heart that I would see Jesus that evening. I was okay to go then and I felt that all was well with my soul. Needless to say, God saw it fit for me to live. Now people ask me if I experienced anything from the after life. I have to say that all I remember is a dream and music. The dream I still think about, but the music I remember was the music the nurses played 24/7 during my 3 months coma. I do believe in the after life, but I do realize that others want reassurance and proof that there is one. I believe that when faith is strong, no proof is needed. There is a fear of the unknown and I believe that is what drives people to seek other ways and hypothesis about heaven and hell. When someone seeks earthly immortality, is because they fear their faith may be the wrong one.

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    Natasha Mawhinney

    Member

    03/10/2022 at 15:00

    Your story warmed my heart & brought tears of joy. I’m sorry that you & your family have suffered so much due to this wicked pandemic. I am happy to hear that God saw you through the illness. I’m thanking God for the miracle He performed for you. May God continue to bless you & your family. I
    Your sister in Christ,
    Natasha Mawhinney

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  Carol Pardon

  Member

  11/20/2021 at 20:52

  Being raised a christian, I never wondered about life after death because I always believed in heaven and hell as the bible said. I think that people are interested in other options because A. they don’t know God, B. because there is not concrete facts about life after death, it’s easier to imagine other possibilities, C. other possibilities mean that they do not need to live a God-lead life and they can live as they want because there may be ways around Heaven/Hell.

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  Virginia Hill

  Member

  10/16/2021 at 09:31

  There is also the theory of reincarnation. That you come back to earth as someone or something else because of a lesson you may not have learned in a previous life. This may be an over simplification of this theory, but Hebrews 9:27 refutes it. People may hold this view because want a hope in a second chase at fixing mistakes that they have made in their current life. However if they understood forgiveness in Christ and His handling of our sins, they might seek Him and receive His peace.

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  Cory Kettleman

  Member

  09/29/2021 at 10:11

  I do there are many religions and belief that say they can transcend death. Some people are obsessed with death and look for ways to defeat it on their own

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