Testing Bible Teaching
While studying about the suicide of Saul last night (end of 1 Samuel and beginning of 2 Samuel) – the question came up about Suicide and the bible. The question was, “Does someone who commits suicide definitely go to hell?” I was hesitant to answer directly for a variety of reasons – not least of which is that I haven’t studied the question before.
More than one person in the group noted that they had always been taught that committing suicide was a sin that disqualified the person from going to heaven. This didn’t sound right to me, but I am familiar with that teaching too. I didn’t know where it came from.
Here’s what I found out…
Nowhere does the bible talk about hell as a punishment for suicide. Those who make this argument say it is the same thing as murder (self-murder) and since we are told “thou shalt not murder” in the 10 commandments, suicide is therefore a sin. And because it is a sin that ends the life of the person who commits it, you don’t have a chance to repent. Therefore you must be going to hell.
Friends, this is a complete distortion of the gospel and of the Bible. I would sum up my feeling about this and a lot of other issues with Romans 8:31-39 (esp 38-39). For those who love Jesus - nothing can separate us from the love of God. Not angels or demons. Not the past, present or future. And certainly not suicide.
This should not only serve as a lesson about what the Bible says (and doesn’t say) about suicide, but as an illustration of the need to test the things we are taught (that includes my sermons! :)).
Just because someone has a Bible degree and calls himself or herself a teacher/preacher doesn’t mean that he or she knows what they are talking about. This includes people who quote the Bible. It's easy to quote things out of context. When you are listening to someone preach or teach please ask yourself this question: In light of what I know about the overall message of Scripture, does this make sense?
When it doesn't, be sure to dig deeper, ask more questions and seek more understanding. I've met more "former" Christians who were hurt by a church teaching or practicing things they said were biblical but had nothing to do with Scripture. Don't become a "former" Christian. Don't let your friends become "former" Christians. Test what is taught.
More than one person in the group noted that they had always been taught that committing suicide was a sin that disqualified the person from going to heaven. This didn’t sound right to me, but I am familiar with that teaching too. I didn’t know where it came from.
Here’s what I found out…
Nowhere does the bible talk about hell as a punishment for suicide. Those who make this argument say it is the same thing as murder (self-murder) and since we are told “thou shalt not murder” in the 10 commandments, suicide is therefore a sin. And because it is a sin that ends the life of the person who commits it, you don’t have a chance to repent. Therefore you must be going to hell.
Friends, this is a complete distortion of the gospel and of the Bible. I would sum up my feeling about this and a lot of other issues with Romans 8:31-39 (esp 38-39). For those who love Jesus - nothing can separate us from the love of God. Not angels or demons. Not the past, present or future. And certainly not suicide.
This should not only serve as a lesson about what the Bible says (and doesn’t say) about suicide, but as an illustration of the need to test the things we are taught (that includes my sermons! :)).
Just because someone has a Bible degree and calls himself or herself a teacher/preacher doesn’t mean that he or she knows what they are talking about. This includes people who quote the Bible. It's easy to quote things out of context. When you are listening to someone preach or teach please ask yourself this question: In light of what I know about the overall message of Scripture, does this make sense?
When it doesn't, be sure to dig deeper, ask more questions and seek more understanding. I've met more "former" Christians who were hurt by a church teaching or practicing things they said were biblical but had nothing to do with Scripture. Don't become a "former" Christian. Don't let your friends become "former" Christians. Test what is taught.
