A Death Like No Other - Biblical Thoughts on Suicide

A Death Like No Other

Biblical Perspective, Hope and Comfort in the Face of Suicide

For those who contemplate it, those who fail at it, those who succeed at it;

And the families and friends who mourn them;

And those who minister to them all.

Chaplain O. Kris Widmer

Introduction

Many ecclesiastical theologies regarding suicide conclude that there is no salvation available to one who dies by suicide. The common conclusion is that those who kill themselves are beyond the saving grace of God and will be among the lost in the final judgment. It is deemed necessary, when one also teaches an immediate continuation of existence in heaven at death. Why wouldn’t one kill themselves and go to glory.  Thus the fear of the final fire gives an strong incentive to live on here. However, such a theology offers little hope for mourners and those who comfort them.

 Suicide is certainly “a death like no other.”  No one questions the salvation of believers that die by other means: accident, illness, age, murder, disasters or predators.  However, what about a death that is self caused? This article is my attempt to say, “Wait.  Not so fast!  Maybe we should reconsider our theology.”

Suicide on the Rise

Suicide rates are increasing in all segments of the world’s population. It is said that the United States military experiences as many as twenty-two suicide deaths each day, in both active and retired personnel.  World wide, there are 850,000 successful suicides every year – that is 2,329 each day.

It is not a matter of “if,” but “when,” you will be called upon to minister in this context. Few things will stretch a minister’s soul and theology more than finding comforting words to say to a grieving family and community when one has died by suicide.

Words Matter

Read those last 3 words again – “died by suicide.” The usual phrase is, “committed suicide.”  This came from the era when suicide was a crime, much like committing larceny or adultery. “Committed” conveys shame and stigma even to this day. I now use the more neutral phrase – “died by suicide.”

The Bible Rogue’s Gallery

The idea that suicide is tantamount to an unpardonable sin comes through the ancient church theologians of Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, along with Dante’s Inferno.  Suicide was considered self-murder, breaking the sixth commandment.  Since the victim couldn’t go to confession there is no salvation for them.

This view is supported Biblically by referencing King Saul (1Samuel 31:4), the Apostle Judas (Matthew 27:3-5), as well as the lesser known Ahithophel (2Samuel 17:23) and Israel’s King, Zimri (1Kings 16:15-20).

However, we should refrain from passing judgment on the eternal destinies of Bible characters, given our limited knowledge from the accounts.  Who are we to judge? All four of these souls could be said to be “lost” based on the trending habits of their lives, not the means of their deaths. 

King Saul had drifted away from God, as evidenced by his numerous disobediences of Samuel’s instructions. Even the prophet withdrew and never saw Saul’s face again. (1Samuel 15:35). Saul’s Endor séance would justify such condemnation, regardless of the way he died. Judas’ embezzlement, his marginal discipleship and his betrayal kiss determine his destiny, rather than his mode of death.

The Bible’s Redeemed Gallery

There are other Bible biographies to ponder besides Saul and Judas. Let’s consider those who we have good reason to believe will be raised in the resurrection of the righteous.

Samson

Consider a name from Hebrews 11:32 - Samson.  What!  The Israelite judge who was a triple womanizer and who used his divine strength as a toy! The “suicide pusher” of temple pillars, whose intentional act resulted in his own death, along with 3,000 enemies. (Judges 16:27). Why does he get to be listed among the faithful?   Well, “the hair of his head began to grow” (Judges 16:22), evidence that he and God had important conversations as he pushed that millstone. So, perhaps a person can die by suicide and also be right with God.

The Armor Bearer

In our haste to convict King Saul, we have often missed the quivering form of a frightened armor bearer. “And when his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him.” 1 Samuel 31:5 NASB. 

I have taken to calling him - PFC Jacob Jacobson (That is Private First Class, for those of us without a military lexicon.)  He has been conscripted to drag Saul’s equipment around.  He has a uniform and a sword.

He, along with Saul, has seen the deaths of the king’s three sons. (vs.2)  We can surmise that their deaths were slow and torturous. It was King Saul’s fear that he might suffer a similar fate. (This fear is well founded, for the Philistines desecrated their bodies: cutting off their heads, and hanging them on Beth-shan’s wall. vs.8-10)

So an injured Saul asks his armor bearer to kill him. “…Pierce me through…lest these uncircumcised come…and make sport of me.” (vs 4) But PFC Jacobson refuses this order “being greatly afraid.”  I can picture him offering a shaky salute.  “W-w-with…due re-re-respect, Your M-m-majesty, I will n-n-not lift m-m-my hand against the L-L-Lord’s anointed.” He answers “No.” And so King Saul falls on his own sword, a suicide that has influenced theology for the past three thousand years.

Now PFC Jacobson looks around.  The King and his sons are dead.  The battle is lost. Rather than face a torturous death, this military hero also dies by suicide!  I am unwilling to teach that this soldier should be considered lost due to his desperate, final act. 

Jesus

And it could be said that Jesus also died by suicide.  I will keep my reasoning brief but clear. (1) The Jews thought Jesus might kill himself because of cryptic statements. (John 8:21,22) (2) Jesus said he had the power to lay his life down. (John 10:17,18) (3) The laying down of his life was a demonstration of the greatest love a person can have. (John 15:13,14) (4) Jesus insisted in going through with the cross, telling an armed disciple to put his sword away.  “I can call twelve legions of angels to come rescue me, if I so desire.” (Matthew 26:52-54). (5) Jesus died by his own choice and actions…so that we might have abundant life. (John 10:10). 

To the Suicidal I Say:

If you believe that suicide is not pardonable by God (based on Saul and Judas), and THIS is what prevents you from ending your life…KEEP BELIEVING THIS!  Keep living! You are loved! Stay with us, please.  We’ll assist you getting the help you need.

To the Grieving Survivors I say:

I am so sorry about the death of your loved one. Tell me about what they meant to you?  (Listening opportunity.)  Then, consider the Bible stories mentioned above: Samson, the Armor Bearer and Jesus.  Your loved one is safe with God.

Next, ponder Romans 8:35-39:  NOTHING can separate us from the love of God.  Nothing means NOTHING!  Trust your loved one to the God who understands and is merciful. In the resurrection, Jesus will put arms of love around them as He smiles and asks, “What were you thinking?”

Trending Now

I also find great comfort in this quotation from the inspired prophet in my church tradition:  Mrs. Ellen G. White.

“It is the trend of the life, the direction in which one is going that we must measure the fruit of a prophet’s life. (or anyone’s life)  All good people occasionally do bad things, and all bad people occasionally do good things.  Every life has a trend – a very sobering thought, once you come to think about it.  My life has a trend.  So does yours.  What is the nature of that trend?  It is this trend of the life that the test of “fruits” seeks to measure.”  HONL 17.2 

Suicide can be seen as a good person doing the occasional bad thing, one that is undoable.  We must trust them, as we trust all the rest of our beloved dead, to the grace, mercy and power of our loving God.

Author’s Biographical Blurb

Chaplain O. Kris Widmer is a Seventh-day Adventist minister and currently works as a Palliative Care chaplain in an undisclosed location.  His enjoyment of life is augmented through devotional journaling, family togetherness, artistic explorations, poetry writing and occasionally eating ice cream; among many other simple pleasures.