Books
Bible Basics
By Bill Dillon
The Despair of Disbelief
Introduction
Dr. Carl Sagan, evolutionist and agnostic, in his new book, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, says that evolution should be “shouted from the pulpits”.
Also, Dr. Sagan, who is suffering from a rare bone disease, wrote in Parade news magazine on March 10 that:
“I would love to believe that when I die I will live again. That some thinking, feeling, remembering part of me will continue. But as much as I want to believe that, and despite the ancient and worldwide cultural traditions that assert an afterlife, I know of nothing to suggest that it is more than wishful thinking.”
He concluded by saying that even though thousands of religious people have prayed for him, that he doesn’t believe, “If there is a God, his plan for me will be altered by prayer.”
Furthermore, he says of facing death without the certainty of an afterlife that “it hasn’t been a problem”.
These sentiments tell us of “The Despair of Disbelief”. How about it? Is there life after death? Is there more beyond this world?
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Discussion
Dr. Carl Sagan is one of the most acknowledged scientists of modern times. He was named “Humanist of the Year” in 1981 and was featured in the “Cosmos” television series, shown around the world. In a Parade magazine article (included in the Baxter Bulletin) on March 10th, Sagan said:
“Four times now have I looked Death in the face... I would love to believe that when I die I will live again, that some thinking, feeling, remembering part of me will continue. But...I know of nothing to suggest that (an afterlife) is more than wishful thinking. He said ‘I cannot conceive of a god who rewards and punishes his creatures.’”
Is Sagan correct? Is there life beyond the grave? While we are sorry to hear of Dr. Sagan’s fight for life and wish him the best possible health, yet, we must take issue with his disbelief in the immortality of man’s soul. The poet H. W. Longfellow wrote words much closer to the truth:
“Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal.
‘Dust thou art, to dust returneth’
was not spoken of the soul.”
Bobby Deason has written a story entitled:
What Then?
A granddad was talking with his grandson who was about to graduate from the twelfth grade (high school). He asked the boy, “What are you going to do now?” The boy replied, “Get a job and work this summer.” “That’s good, son; what then?” asked the grandfather. The grandson said, “Then I’m going to college in the fall.” “Great,” was the grandfather’s reply. “What then?” The boy answered, “I want to study law and pass the bar exam and become a lawyer.” “That’s fine, what then?” said the grandfather. “I want to become a judge,” the boy retorted. “That’s a good profession,” grandfather encouraged. “What then?” “Well,” responded the boy, “I’d like to become a Supreme Court justice.” “That’s wonderful; you have set for yourself a very noble and attainable goal,” grandfather replied. “What then?” “Grandfather!” the young man retorted, “I’d be a justice until I died.” “That’s true son. What then?” The young man had planned for his life on earth, but not for life eternal. His grandfather wanted him to see the other side of life — the most important side.
Down through the long years of time, the question of “what lies beyond?” has, no doubt, entered into man’s mind. In every heart, there has been and is a yearning to know what will be beyond.
Job
According to some, the book of Job was written before the books of Moses. We do know the book of Job is one of the earliest.
In this great Old Testament book comes a question from the lips of Job himself, “If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14). That question is by no means an unusual one, nor is it an isolated one. In generation after generation, under varying circumstances and situations, the question has echoed and echoed again. “If a man die, shall he live again?”
Cain
Adam and Eve were the first parents and Cain was their first born son. Abel was also born. In course of time, Cain killed Able. Is it not possible that as Cain stood over the body of his freshly murdered brother Able, that he may have asked the question, “If a man die, shall he live again?”
Noah
Time passes and man increased in number, so also did he increase in iniquity. The wickedness of man became so great in the earth that every imagination of man’s heart was evil continually (Genesis 6:5). During these dark and immoral times, God decreed the end of all flesh. Noah found grace in the eyes of God and was commanded to build an ark, and in the ark, animals of the earth and Noah’s family were preserved. All outside the ark of safety would be lost. Perhaps the shrieks and death screams of desperate people on the outside, perishing in the flood water engulfing the earth could be heard. With death all about him, is it possible that Noah asked himself the question, “If a man die, shall he live again?”
Judas
The man who betrayed his Lord tightens the knot about his neck; Judas Iscariot is about to take a leap into eternity. Before he does, is it possible that he too could have asked himself the question, “If a man die, shall he live again?”
You
My friends, when death’s icy grip chokes your throat, will you ask the question, “If a man dies, shall he live again?” Dr. Sagan doesn’t think so. That’s regrettable. I hope he changes his mind. Approximately 5 billion human beings live on this planet and every few seconds, another leaves. It is all important to leave it in the right way. The great tragedy is that most will not. Truly, “No man will go to heaven when he dies who has not sent his heart thither while he lives” (Colossians 3:1-2, 1 John 2:17). “Raccoon” John Smith, one of the distinguished preachers of the pioneer, said these words just before he died on February 28, 1868:
“What a great failure, after all, would my long and checkered life have been but for this glorious hope of a hereafter.”
One said heaven is “the perfection of all that can be said or thought.” Shakespeare wrote that heaven was “the treasury of everlasting joy.” My friends, heaven is what awaits!
Beyond death there is life.
Beyond the temporal there is the eternal.
Beyond the carnal there is the divine.
Beyond the earthly there is the heavenly.
For every earthly toil, there is a heavenly thrill.
For every earthly discord, there is a heavenly harmony.
For every earthly crisis, there is a heavenly comfort.
For every earthly darkness, there is a heavenly delight.
For every earthly pain, there is a heavenly perfection.
For every earthly suffering, there is a heavenly safety.
For the Christian, the grave is but a gateway into all that is glorious, wondrous, precious, fabulous, harmonious, joyous and tremendous. A gateway from . . .
earthly gloom . . . into heavenly glory
earthly rubble . . . into heavenly riches
earthly problems . . . into heavenly peace
earthly miseries . . . into heavenly mansions
earthly tribulations . . . into heavenly jubilation
earthly labors . . . into heavenly pleasure.
Conclusion
Let the Word of God guide you into all truth. Truth will set you free. The Bible teaches that preparation for death is to hear, believe and be baptized (Acts 18:8). And, then, live the Christian life until God chooses you for eternity.
Remember the question, “If a man dies, shall he live again?”
The answer is yes!! Thanks for tuning in, and good day.
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