Death is an uncomfortable, often painful subject. We grieve at the deaths of our loved ones, and we work to avoid death for ourselves.  Yet, if the Lord tarries, death waits for all people - even more absolutely than taxes.

Not only does death present a tremendous loss for us in this life, this subject also squarely confronts the issues of Heaven and Hell. Unpleasant. Controversial. And clearly the subject of fanciful folklore in all directions and dimensions.

The Hebrew Sheol, and the Greek Hades, are not the grave. The grave is where the body goes. Sheol and Hades is where the departed spirits go. (For this brief discussion, we'll regard them as equivalent.)

Gehenna, however, is their final disposition. Hades is cast into Gehenna at the end (Rev 20:14). (In fact, their topology appears to be opposites: Hades is presented as geocentric - inside the earth; Gehenna is in "the outer darkness.")

It is significant that Jesus spoke much more about "Hell" than He did about Heaven (about 5 to 1). The very concept of the need for a Savior presupposes the avoidance of the otherwise certain destiny of desolation and eternal punishment. The good news is that you and I are the beneficiaries of a love letter: a letter written in blood on a wooden cross erected in Judea about two thousand years ago and which is the fulcrum of all history and the entire universe. The crucifixion was not a tragedy: it was a crowning achievement. His achievement makes it possible to avoid an otherwise certain destiny.

The Physics of Immortality
There are many in the secular world who do not even take the existence of the "afterlife" seriously. There are many who do, however. Frank J. Tipler, Professor of Mathematical Physics at Tulane University, is a major theoretician in the field of global general relativity, that rarefied branch of physics created by Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose. In pursuing a mathematical model involving the end of the universe, Tipler (a professed atheist) came to two conclusions (one obvious, and one stunning):

1) Using the most advanced and sophisticated methods of modern physics, and relying solely on the rigorous procedures of logic that science demands, he discovered a proof of the existence of God. (You're thinking, "No kidding, Dick Tracy!")

2) He also now believes that every human being who ever lived will be resurrected from the dead.

He claims to have arrived at these conclusions about God and immortality "in exactly the same way physicists calculate the properties of an electron." (While I personally disagree with much of his published book, this turnabout for a professed atheist is interesting. You can learn more about the resurrection from the most important chapter in the Bible: 1 Cor 15.)

A far more insightful book is by Erwin Lutzer, One Minute After You Die.  Our briefing pack, "Heaven and Hell" also explores the intrinsic architecture of man, why he is immortal (saved or not). In it, we attempt to repair some of the misconceptions about Sheol, Hades and Gehenna, and the real nature of our present physical reality, as well as some of the more problematic issues involved in the "afterlife."

For most people, death is a fearful prospect, a black unknown.  For the believer, death offers an entrance into the presence of Almighty God, our Savior, our friend.  As we lose precious loved-ones, we mourn - but not as those who have no hope (1 Thess 4:13).  In Christ, we have hope in the life after death, as well as His constant care and direction in this present world.

Put shouting "fire" in a crowded theater aside, freedom of speech is one of the most fundamental rights that Americans enjoy. The liberty to speak one's mind, to offer one's views - even if those views are obnoxious to those around you – is one of the great blessings of living in a free country.

Yet, we sometimes find the strangest people hindering free expression. The Obama Administration, which would be expected to uphold free speech rights, has in fact pushed for limiting freedom of expression in the name of making peace with oppressive regimes. While describing the importance of free speech on one hand, the US pushed to pass a resolution that also condemned those who used their free speech to speak against religion - specifically Islam.

Historically, there have been limits set on free-speech; as in the "fire" example, self-expression has been historically been out-ranked by safety issues. Self-expression can also be demoted according to cultural standards of decency. For instance, Roger Federer can use foul language on the tennis court all he wants, as long as those words don't get picked up on live television. And while we no longer take traitors out and shoot them, national security still trumps over the right to a loose tongue. There have always been limits on freedom of speech for the safety and decency of society.

Yet, our freedom to speak our minds should not be tampered with, regardless of whether our views could offend somebody.

After Muslims rioted in Europe over cartoons depicting Mohammed, Muslim countries pressed the United Nations to pass a resolution condemning articles or cartoons that defame Islam. In an effort to reach out to Muslim countries, the Obama Administration has recently backed a UN resolution that on one hand states that freedom of speech is essential, and yet condemns attacks on religion. The resolution is no law in itself, and is mostly a feel-good concession to Islamic nations, but it is a far cry from promoting true freedom of religion and religious expression in already oppressive Middle East countries.

Certain forms of "expression" are understandably outlawed in a healthy society, things like child pornography and threats to murder people. Religious viewpoints, on the other hand, are absolutely protected free speech.  Americans support freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press, which means allowing those freedoms even when we disagree with what is said.

In fact, religion and politics are two things that should be specifically open to criticism, because they are areas in which it is vital humans have solid understanding of what is true and good. In the spirit of hacking out the truth or the best policy, people are allowed to say what they think - no matter how offensive one person's religious or political views are.  We have to remember that the Truth is often considered offensive, and when we start censoring one group, we all are endangered.

By backing Muslim calls for limiting freedom of speech when it comes to religion, the US has given a moral victory to those countries where human rights are regularly abused in the name of Islam.

James Heiser comments:

"The administration's position should hardly be a shock because the Left almost always speaks of "rights" in terms of group identity — not the individual. Thus every right must be evaluated in terms of identity politics and class struggle (white vs. black, male vs. female, rich vs. poor, bourgeoisie vs. proletariat) and described in terms of victimization and liberation. For the Left, the individual does not have identity or rights — such things are possessions of the collective to which one belongs. Therefore, the administration's position enunciated before the UN Human Rights Council coincides with the interests of Islamists: silencing critics of Islam by making it impossible to criticize their perverse (by Western standards) and militant worldview."

The UN Human Rights Council passed the resolution on Friday.  Christian groups have already launched a campaign to protect Christians in Islamic lands.  The resolution is seen as a danger to religious minorities and dissenters.

Strategic Perspectives Conference

Coeur d'Alene, ID October 23rd - 25th

Perspective is our most valuable asset!

In today’s world information is easy to come by. In fact, information glut is a problem we all struggle with, with so many media vying for our attention. Internet, radio, television, newspapers, magazines, and more are all screaming loudly about what is happening in the world today, but there is one thing that Christians need that they don't offer.

Perspective.

The Koinonia Institute is a Christian Think Tank and, as such, fills an important void by bringing some of today’s brightest Christian thinkers together to share their insider’s perspectives on today’s events and how they relate to the Bible.

Speakers will include: (visit the website to listen to interviews with several of the speakers for a preview of their presentations)

For more information, or to purchase tickets, click here:

Special/Early Bird  Pricing Ends this week