Subject: Re: Death of a christian lady.
Date: Tue, 05 Oct 1999 17:39:47 +1700
From: Peter Ballard
Organization: http://www.remarq.com: The World's Usenet/Discussions
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Newsgroups: aus.religion.christian

In article <37F6A60>, A 'Net friend wrote:
> I don't know where most people here are from, but the
> tragic death of a
> elderly grandmother here in suburban Melbourne was
> widely reported in
> the local news media. She had just arrived home from a
> local church
> meeting and surprised a burglar. As a result she was
> brutally stabbed
> and beaten to death. Neighbours expressed their
> disgust and dismay that
> such a lovely person died in such an unpleasant
> manner, as did police
> officers who attended. The woman was described as a
> loving person who
> only ever did good in the community, and helped other
> people. She was
> also a christian lady, actively involved in church
> activities. The
> suburb is a good neighbourhood where such occurrences
> are uncommon.
> I would like to ask for comment on this event from the
> christian
> perspective.

G'day,

The Christian response, put simply, is that God does not
necessarily protect Christians from disasters or tragedy.
He may, but it is not guaranteed. Ultimately the
Christian's guarantee is not a happy life on earth (though
that may well happen), but that they will be with God in
heaven.

There have always been Christians who have suffered
untimely and horrible deaths, beginning with Jesus Christ
himself.

Another poster asked for some Biblical references so I'll
try to give some:

HEBREWS 10:32-36 Remember those earlier days after you had
received the light, when you stood your ground in a great
contest in the face of suffering.
Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and
persecution; at other times you stood side by side with
those who were so treated.
You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted
the confiscation of your property, because you knew that
you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will
of God, you will receive what he has promised.

1 PETER 4:12-13 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the
painful trial you are suffering, as though something
strange were happening to you.
But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of
Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is
revealed.

These verses are specifically about suffering through
religious persecution, but I think the principle (that
Christians are not spared bad things, and that ultimately
our destination is heaven) holds true for all types of
suffering Christians may endure.

The problem of good people suffering is also dealt with at
great length in the book of Job. In this story (I believe
it IS only meant to be a story) a bloke called Job loses
all his property and most of his family. Some friends come
and tell him that he must have done something wrong to
deserve it. The upshot of the story is that the friends
were wrong: Job had not done anything to deserve it; bad
things happen anyway, that's just how the world is.

Peter Ballard
Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
 OR  

http://www.ozemail.com.au/~pballard/ 
[personal opinions only]