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Post by Josh on Aug 12, 2014 8:14:57 GMT -8
So I've noticed a whole range of responses from Christians to Robin William's suicide, and as is often the case, find myself in the middle.
On the one hand there are the "suicide is the unforgivable sin" folks. And there are the "he was such a coward" voices as well.
On the other end are those who are suggesting unequivocally that his suffering is over, that he is now "at peace".
Here are some of my thoughts:
First, I don't have a lot of patience for those who dismiss the power of depression- spiritually, yes, but also mentally and bio-chemically. My heart goes out to Robin Williams, especially when I read that he lived in almost constant fear and anxiety. Having just a sampling of clinical anxiety in my life is enough for me to know he was no "coward" to persevere so long. That said, I do think it is natural for his friends and family to feel some anger and work through it. The anger and the sadness derive from the simple fact that this was a horrible loss, a battle lost.
Which leads me to wonder why some are so quick to affirm he is at peace. Because doesn't that seem to imply that Robin's actions were really a victory? That his "giving in" was really the right choice?
I do hope Robin finds peace in Jesus, don't get me wrong. I hope that for him with all my heart. But we have no idea what's going on between him and his creator, nor how that process is unfolding even as we speak. We do know from Scripture that there is such a thing as the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, and the "lake of fire" (even if some of us wonder if it lasts forever and hope it doesn't) and having to go through hell is not a victory, not a success. It is a tragedy that should be mourned and could only be remedied and redeemed by Jesus, who must rule until even death is made to submit.
Agree? Disagree? Thoughts?
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Post by christopher on Aug 14, 2014 20:11:25 GMT -8
My only thoughts are that I'm sad about this. I grew up with Robin Williams being such a source of laughter for me. I'm thankful for that and I'm sad we lost such a gifted entertainer.
I'm not going to judge the morality of his final choices or whether he found (is finding?) peace with Jesus because I simply don't know and scripture doesn't give us clarity enough to make that call (probably because it's not ours to make).
All I know is that, just like all of us, he was created to live as a loved child of God. And just like all of us, he fell short of that purpose and had a need for a merciful Father that unashamedly sprints down the road to redeem and welcome us back home.
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Post by Josh on Aug 28, 2014 6:57:20 GMT -8
jaybee, I noticed you had written an article on suicide on your blog. Care to post it here somewhere?
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Post by jaybee on Aug 28, 2014 10:28:13 GMT -8
Sure, I started it as a new thread in this forum.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Post by Josh on Aug 28, 2014 12:40:13 GMT -8
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Post by asaph on Feb 21, 2015 3:49:10 GMT -8
Being late to the discussion aside, I still see things around the web about Williams.
He had such a fast, incredibly fast mind. Yet he was quick to put down Christ and Christianity often in his club performances. Some say they were statements against the hypocrisy of professed Christians and others say it was his acting out against something he held against God in his heart for whatever reason in his private life. He was regularly offensive, which was just a take on most typical comedy, like Don Rickles and others I gre up with, like Alan King and most others. They all made a living putting people down. Self-deprecating humor is one thing, and even then if Christ died for us why should we intentionally make fun of ourselves. But, humor at the expense of others Christ died for ... why would we laugh at such things? Is it the new man or the old man in us which laughs?
I feel for anyone depressed enough to hold things in, feeling nowhere to turn, and ending their lives. Terrible tragedy. What could Robin Williams have contributed to Christ's kingdom if he were born again?
Robin Williams was just a sinner. He was a pathetic sinner like the rest of us, however talented people saw him in the vein of work he was in. I have battled depression. It is worse, I believe, for Christians because I constantly tell myself I am a Christian I should be happy, not depressed. So, the mix adds guilt into it. No fun. I have longed for death many times because of circumstances in my own life. Job, Moses, Elijah, Paul ... so did they. Like Josh says, Williams persevered for years. He was not a coward. He is not a hero, either.
According to Job, Williams is at peace, Job 3:13-22. The grave is peace for everyone; king, pauper, does not matter. The struggles are over. That does not answer to Williams' eternal destination. That is God's determination.
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