Christians who committ suicide

Are you a sincere seeker who has questions about Christianity, or a Christian with doubts about your faith? Post them here to receive a thoughtful response.
phiver4
Familiar Member
Posts: 46
Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2007 12:39 pm

Christians who committ suicide

Post by phiver4 »

I have always wondered about someone who has given their life to Christ and later on commits suicide. Is this forgivable in God's eyes?
User avatar
BavarianWheels
Prestigious Senior Member
Posts: 1806
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2004 12:09 am
Christian: Yes
Sex: Male
Creation Position: Day-Age
Location: Southern California

Re: Christians who committ suicide

Post by BavarianWheels »

phiver4 wrote:I have always wondered about someone who has given their life to Christ and later on commits suicide. Is this forgivable in God's eyes?
Don't quite know.
Samson basically committed suicide...didn't he?
.
.
User avatar
Canuckster1127
Old School
Posts: 5310
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2006 11:31 am
Christian: Yes
Sex: Male
Creation Position: Theistic Evolution
Location: Ottawa, ON Canada

Re: Christians who committ suicide

Post by Canuckster1127 »

phiver4 wrote:I have always wondered about someone who has given their life to Christ and later on commits suicide. Is this forgivable in God's eyes?
I find no reason in Scripture to assume that this is an unforgivable sin. That certainly doesn't condone it however.
Dogmatism is the comfortable intellectual framework of self-righteousness. Self-righteousness is more decadent than the worst sexual sin. ~ Dan Allender
User avatar
Cross.eyed
Valued Member
Posts: 461
Joined: Mon Nov 12, 2007 3:45 am
Christian: Yes
Sex: Male
Creation Position: Undecided
Location: Kentucky U.S.A.

Re: Christians who committ suicide

Post by Cross.eyed »

Canuckster1127 wrote:
phiver4 wrote:I have always wondered about someone who has given their life to Christ and later on commits suicide. Is this forgivable in God's eyes?
I find no reason in Scripture to assume that this is an unforgivable sin. That certainly doesn't condone it however.
I agree and some may disagree with this- isn't it possible that a person can be forgiven before committing a sin?
I am the wretch the song refers to.
FFC
Prestigious Senior Member
Posts: 1683
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:11 pm
Christian: Yes
Sex: Male
Creation Position: Young-Earth Creationist
Location: Pennsylvania, USA

Re: Christians who committ suicide

Post by FFC »

Cross.eyed wrote:
Canuckster1127 wrote:
phiver4 wrote:I have always wondered about someone who has given their life to Christ and later on commits suicide. Is this forgivable in God's eyes?
I find no reason in Scripture to assume that this is an unforgivable sin. That certainly doesn't condone it however.
I agree and some may disagree with this- isn't it possible that a person can be forgiven before committing a sin?
Yeah, like when we are saved and God forgives us for sins: past, present, and future?
"Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible." - Corrie Ten Boom

Act 9:6
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
User avatar
Canuckster1127
Old School
Posts: 5310
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2006 11:31 am
Christian: Yes
Sex: Male
Creation Position: Theistic Evolution
Location: Ottawa, ON Canada

Re: Christians who committ suicide

Post by Canuckster1127 »

FFC wrote:
Cross.eyed wrote:
Canuckster1127 wrote:
phiver4 wrote:I have always wondered about someone who has given their life to Christ and later on commits suicide. Is this forgivable in God's eyes?
I find no reason in Scripture to assume that this is an unforgivable sin. That certainly doesn't condone it however.
I agree and some may disagree with this- isn't it possible that a person can be forgiven before committing a sin?
Yeah, like when we are saved and God forgives us for sins: past, present, and future?
In one sense all sins forgiven find their source in one point in time, namely the death and resurrection of Christ. In another sense there is indication in Scripture that there are believers who are saved and yet they are saved by the skin of their teeth, or like being snatched at the last second out of a fire. While salavation I don't believe is an issue for believers sin, there is an issue of reward and a sense of loss or shame when we stand before Christ. I see suicide and any other numbers of willful rebellion against God by believers as falling into this category.

We don't lose our salvation. It does have consequences however, now and in the future.

Positionally and practically there are different issues.
Dogmatism is the comfortable intellectual framework of self-righteousness. Self-righteousness is more decadent than the worst sexual sin. ~ Dan Allender
FFC
Prestigious Senior Member
Posts: 1683
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:11 pm
Christian: Yes
Sex: Male
Creation Position: Young-Earth Creationist
Location: Pennsylvania, USA

Re: Christians who committ suicide

Post by FFC »

Canuckster1127 wrote:
FFC wrote:
Cross.eyed wrote:
Canuckster1127 wrote:
phiver4 wrote:I have always wondered about someone who has given their life to Christ and later on commits suicide. Is this forgivable in God's eyes?
I find no reason in Scripture to assume that this is an unforgivable sin. That certainly doesn't condone it however.
I agree and some may disagree with this- isn't it possible that a person can be forgiven before committing a sin?
Yeah, like when we are saved and God forgives us for sins: past, present, and future?
In one sense all sins forgiven find their source in one point in time, namely the death and resurrection of Christ. In another sense there is indication in Scripture that there are believers who are saved and yet they are saved by the skin of their teeth, or like being snatched at the last second out of a fire. While salavation I don't believe is an issue for believers sin, there is an issue of reward and a sense of loss or shame when we stand before Christ. I see suicide and any other numbers of willful rebellion against God by believers as falling into this category.

We don't lose our salvation. It does have consequences however, now and in the future.

Positionally and practically there are different issues.
Absolutely! Otherwise there would be no reason to walk in God's ways or confess our sins when we blow it. Sanctification is a lifelong process.
"Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible." - Corrie Ten Boom

Act 9:6
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
User avatar
7trumpets
Familiar Member
Posts: 27
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:38 am
Christian: Yes

Re: Christians who committ suicide

Post by 7trumpets »

phiver4 wrote:I have always wondered about someone who has given their life to Christ and later on commits suicide. Is this forgivable in God's eyes?
Its falls under "murder," for its premeditating and killing a child of GOD. Guess who the first one is that they face? It isn't Saint Peter!
FFC
Prestigious Senior Member
Posts: 1683
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:11 pm
Christian: Yes
Sex: Male
Creation Position: Young-Earth Creationist
Location: Pennsylvania, USA

Re: Christians who committ suicide

Post by FFC »

7trumpets wrote:
phiver4 wrote:I have always wondered about someone who has given their life to Christ and later on commits suicide. Is this forgivable in God's eyes?
Its falls under "murder," for its premeditating and killing a child of GOD. Guess who the first one is that they face? It isn't Saint Peter!
Thankfully as a child of God it is He that we face and not another human being like ourselves. David and Moses, two titans of the faith, were both guilty of premeditated murder, but God forgave them and used them because He knew the true condition of their hearts and that they (their hearts) were towards Him. Everybody screws up big sometimes...some of us most of the time. Thankfully we have a big God with a lot of grace. Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound.
"Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible." - Corrie Ten Boom

Act 9:6
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
User avatar
BavarianWheels
Prestigious Senior Member
Posts: 1806
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2004 12:09 am
Christian: Yes
Sex: Male
Creation Position: Day-Age
Location: Southern California

Re: Christians who committ suicide

Post by BavarianWheels »

7trumpets wrote:
phiver4 wrote:I have always wondered about someone who has given their life to Christ and later on commits suicide. Is this forgivable in God's eyes?
Its falls under "murder," for its premeditating and killing a child of GOD. Guess who the first one is that they face? It isn't Saint Peter!
I understand this can be seen as such, but I cannot rule out totally the above comments and would more likely side with them than this.
.
.
User avatar
Canuckster1127
Old School
Posts: 5310
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2006 11:31 am
Christian: Yes
Sex: Male
Creation Position: Theistic Evolution
Location: Ottawa, ON Canada

Re: Christians who committ suicide

Post by Canuckster1127 »

7trumpets wrote:
phiver4 wrote:I have always wondered about someone who has given their life to Christ and later on commits suicide. Is this forgivable in God's eyes?
Its falls under "murder," for its premeditating and killing a child of GOD. Guess who the first one is that they face? It isn't Saint Peter!
There will be muderers in heaven. The first one they face may be King David.
Dogmatism is the comfortable intellectual framework of self-righteousness. Self-righteousness is more decadent than the worst sexual sin. ~ Dan Allender
User avatar
Kurieuo
Honored Member
Posts: 10038
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 6:25 am
Christian: Yes
Sex: Male
Creation Position: Progressive Creationist
Location: Qld, Australia

Re: Christians who committ suicide

Post by Kurieuo »

phiver4 wrote:I have always wondered about someone who has given their life to Christ and later on commits suicide. Is this forgivable in God's eyes?
Yes, it is forgivable. Why wouldn't it be?

However, an extreme works-based theology would argue that a person committing suicide shows they really weren't Christian, just as one not continuing in good works would show a person is not really Christian.

Opposite this would be a grace-based theology would argue that forgiveness is completed once and for all in Christ. As such, it is no longer an issue of sin that separates us from God, but rather an issue of whether we accept such forgiveness and Christ through whom it is offered.

I believe we are all forgiven - Christian and non-Christian alike. God's forgiveness through Christ has atoned for any and all sin. Therefore, if someone is so emotionally or psychologically distraught to the extent they take their own life, then it does not matter, for since Christ died for us sin is no longer the issue that separates us from God. This is certainly good news (gospel).
User avatar
7trumpets
Familiar Member
Posts: 27
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:38 am
Christian: Yes

Re: Christians who committ suicide

Post by 7trumpets »

Canuckster1127 wrote:
7trumpets wrote:
phiver4 wrote:I have always wondered about someone who has given their life to Christ and later on commits suicide. Is this forgivable in God's eyes?
Its falls under "murder," for its premeditating and killing a child of GOD. Guess who the first one is that they face? It isn't Saint Peter!
There will be muderers in heaven. The first one they face may be King David.
:roll: You cannot kill a spiritual body, only GOD can blot out. The first one they face is GOD.
User avatar
B. W.
Ultimate Member
Posts: 8355
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 8:17 am
Christian: Yes
Location: Colorado

Re: Christians who committ suicide

Post by B. W. »

phiver4 wrote:I have always wondered about someone who has given their life to Christ and later on commits suicide. Is this forgivable in God's eyes?
I have to ask - phiver4 - are you personally thinking of such a course for yourself or known someone who has?
-
-
-
Science is man's invention - creation is God's
(by B. W. Melvin)

Old Polish Proverb:
Not my Circus....not my monkeys
phiver4
Familiar Member
Posts: 46
Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2007 12:39 pm

Re: Christians who committ suicide

Post by phiver4 »

B. W. wrote:
phiver4 wrote:I have always wondered about someone who has given their life to Christ and later on commits suicide. Is this forgivable in God's eyes?
I have to ask - phiver4 - are you personally thinking of such a course for yourself or known someone who has?
-
-
-
B.W.
Me? not at all. I have personally known people who have and this question has always perplexed me as it is not addressed (as far as I can find) in the Bible.
Post Reply