© 2011 Todd Petit, Flickr | CC-BY | via Wylio
This past week, I sat on my porch catching up with a long-time friend and emerging adult. While enjoying the Minnesota summer sun, we talked about life – the simple and complex. At one shift during the conversation, we discussed aging. Having just turned 28, he felt as if time had turned against him.
Humans hate aging. We spend billions of dollars in order to look and feel younger. I will not attempt to reverse this hatred towards aging and death; however, I believe that if anyone in our world can put a positive spin on aging and death – it is Christians. While we live in a society of growing “Nones” (Those claiming to be non-religious.), Christians claim a set of beliefs that offer another perspective.
© 2005 Andy / Andrew Fogg, Flickr | CC-BY | via Wylio
- We believe in an afterlife.
- We believe in an afterlife that is good.
- We believe in an afterlife that will reverse the pain, suffering, and blemishes of this world.
- We believe that this good afterlife is timeless.
Or at least, we say that we do. Most Christians avoid the topic of death and dying as if they hold no answers. I know that doubt filters in, and can cause us to stumble. However, we should regularly reflect on Jesus’ words,
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Jesus knew his disciples would be troubled by an unknown future, and calls them to trust Him.
Our faith demands that we hold to a different view of the human experience to Millennials. One in which each phase of life is to be embraced (including dying) and enjoyed.
From our platforms and porches, we need to restore a vision for human death and aging. We need to cling to faith, and live out our lives in view of our beliefs about death.
A theologically sound view of aging will remove our distaste for it.
A theologically sound view of death will remove its sting.
Teaching and living this view is one Christian belief that will appeal to a world of growing “Nones” and Millennials.
Dr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources.
