Wayne Grudems systematic theology, chapter 41

Chapter 41, Death and the intermediate state. 

*Just a reminder that this study of Wayne Grudem's book, Systematic Theology, is not by any means me teaching, but rather a simple summary chapter by chapter of his book for my own enrichment.*

Why do Christians die, and what happens to our bodies and souls when we do die?

1. Death is not a punishment for Christians, as we hear from Paul that "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

2.  Death is the final outcome of living in a fallen world.  In the end, God will even destroy the enemy, death. Christians also experience aging, illness, injury, and natural disasters, even if God does protect us from those things sometimes as a foreshadowing of his coming kingdom. 

3.  Death completes our sanctification. The pain related to aging and death is not God's punishment, (although he might be disciplining us as his children).  We should be assured by Romans that "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose."  Christ says to Smyrna in Revelations:  "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."

4. Experiencing death completes our union with Christ.  Romans 8 says, "we suffer with Christ in order that we may also be glorified with him." 

5. Our obedience to God is more important than preserving our own lives.  The world wants to preserve physical life at all costs, yet we want to be faithful to God.  Paul says several times how his life is not valuable but that he can run the race for Christ. 

How should we then think about our and other's deaths?

1.  Look with joy that we will be going to be with Christ.  Our joy is a testimony to a world that trembles about death. 

2.  When Christian friends and family die, there is both sorrow and joy.  Sorrow for loss of fellowship with them....yet we should, "not grieve as others do who have no hope." 1 Thess 4.   We also rejoice that they are with the Lord. 

3.  When unbelievers die, there is a deep and real sorrow.  We do not know a person's heart and relationship with God when they die, so we may always lay them in the Lord's hands.  We should not indicate that they are going to heaven.   We should speak thankfully about them and the good qualities of their lives. 

What happens when people die?

1. Believers souls go immediately into God's presence.  (The Bible does not teach purgatory). They will enjoy fellowship with Christ there.  Revelations shows how we will be praying and worshiping God together. 

What about Old Testament believers? What we can see from the related texts are that believers were alive, in heaven, with God, but of course what a rejoicing there must have been when Christ did his work, fully paid their sins, and returned!

Should we pray for the dead? 

No.  Believers go directly into God's presence, and unbelievers go to hell....what good does it do to pray for them after death?  It is their actions and beliefs in life that make the difference.  The story of the rich man and Lazarus shows us that there is no way to change after death what you believe.  Eternal punishment for unbelievers is difficult to contemplate, but it is very clear according to scripture.