Controversial Issues 3

Suicide

What is it?

Taking someone’s life

Exodus 20:13 ESV

“You shall not murder.

Why is it wrong? Suicide hasn't always been something that depressed people resort to. Suicide was at one point in history looked as as noble or a way to achieve enlightenment.

Judges 16:26–30 ESV

And Samson said to the young man who held him by the hand, “Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean against them.” Now the house was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there, and on the roof there were about 3,000 men and women, who looked on while Samson entertained. Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.

Q: Samson seemed to pray for physical strength from God one more time, which will result in his own death. God gave him strength which really was a suicidal action. Thought?

Other suicide in the OT

1 Samuel 31:4 ESV

Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it.

Suicide in the NT

Matthew 27:5 ESV

And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.

Another person in the NT - Jesus -

John 7:34 ESV

You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.”

John 8:21–22 ESV

So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?”

Jesus voluntarily gave himself up.

Since God is in control of everything and Jesus is God, does that mean that God committed suicide?

John 10:18 ESV

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

What is the difference between suicide and martyrdom? How can you tell?

Philippians 1:21–26 ESV

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

Does Paul want to die?

One of the early church fathers wrote this (Ignatius letter to the Romans)

The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Suicide

I am writing to all the churches, and I give injunctions to all men, that I am dying willingly for God’s sake, if you do not hinder it. I beseech you, be not an unseasonable kindness to me. Permit me to be eaten by the beasts, through whom I can attain to God … I long for the beasts that are prepared for me; and I pray that they may be found prompt for me. I will even entice them to devour me promptly; … I will force them to it. Grant me this favor. I know what is expedient for me; now I am becoming a disciple … Let there come on me fire, and cross, and struggles with wild beasts, cutting, and tearing asunder, racking of bones, mangling of limbs, crushing of my whole body, cruel tortures of the devil, may I but attain to Jesus Christ!… The pains of birth are upon me. Permit me, my brethren; hinder me not from living, do not wish me to die … Permit me to receive the pure light; when I have arrived there I shall become a man … Even though when I come to you I beg you myself, do not be persuaded by me, but rather obey this which I write to you. For in the midst of life I write to you desiring death (Rom. 4–7).

Is Suicide the Unpardonable Sin?

Mark 3:28–29 ESV

“Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—