LIFE AFTER DEATH INFLUENCING LIFE BEFORE DEATH

What happens to us when we die? The answer to this question goes right to the heart of our worldview, and therefore determines the way we live.

The concept of reincarnation, as taught in Hinduism and Buddhism, is much more complex than most people realize.  But whether the aim is nirvana or just a higher status in the next life, the idea informs and motivates a system of morality that influences whole societies.

The Christian teaching about Heaven and Hell, while subject at times to gross misrepresentation, has likewise informed and motivated a moral basis for living. Evangelical Christians understand that Heaven is not attained by good works but by faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour. Nevertheless, because the same Bible that teaches the reality of Heaven and Hell also teaches a standard of morality, the two will always be linked.

Previous generations in Australia (and other Western nations) broadly accepted the Heaven or Hell scenario for life after death so that, even if it came down to a “hope-I-make-it” attitude, people tried to live by moral standards such as honesty, faithfulness in marriage and respect for the property of others, things covered in the Ten Commandments.

On the other hand, when people believe that there is nothing on the other side of death, there can be no firm basis for a system of morality. If there is no reward after death for a moral life, and no retribution for an im-moral one, individuals are left to choose for themselves what they feel will most benefit them in this present life. This may include elements that turn out well for society but the opposite is at least equally likely.

If belief in the reality of both Heaven and Hell leads people to a moral life based on Christian principles, it must surely benefit society at large. If it leads people to explore the claims of Christ, resulting in personal salvation through faith in Him, the benefits for those people will be eternal and, to the extent that they are sincere in their Christian faith, it will also benefit all who come into contact with them.

THE CULTURE OF GIFT-GIVING

Throughout history, people have given other people gifts for all sorts of reasons. We usually refer to such gifts as presents because we present them to the receiver.

Jacob gave a present to his brother Esau, hoping that it would appease his very justifiable anger and pave the way for a reconciliation.

The present was 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams, female camels with their young, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 male donkeys (Genesis 32:13-15).

A little bit too much to fit under a Christmas tree, don’t you think?

Abigail brought a present to David and his men when she realised that her husband had offended them. Her gift was 200 loaves of bread, two wineskins full of wine, five sheep that had been slaughtered, a bushel of roasted grain, 100 clusters of raisins, and 200 fig cakes (1 Samuel 25:18).

On other occasions, people brought gifts to honour a king. This was the intention of the Magi who came to see the baby Jesus in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:11).

In many cultures around the world today, gift giving is linked to special annual festivals and celebrations. Each culture mandates the sort of gift that is appropriate for each specific occasion. For instance, I’ve read that clocks, handkerchiefs and flowers are inappropriate gifts in China because they are all associated with death and funerals. Anyone planning a trip to Japan will be wise to study up on that country’s elaborately significant gift-giving rituals.

These days there are whole websites dedicated to the culture of gift-giving, what to do and what NOT to do. But the thing that is most important, ultimately, is not the gift but the attitude in which it is given. The key words here are respect and appreciation.

If there is such a thing as a Christian culture of gift-giving, may I suggest that it will go beyond just giving what is expected, giving because you have to. It will not be about impressing the other person or showing off. Rather, it will be prayerful, thoughtful and gracious, motivated and wrapped in the pure love of God.

ADDING RICHNESS TO CHRISTMAS CULTURE

The weeks leading up to December 25th, here in Australia at least, are filled with hype and expectation. Everything points to that one day. Christmas is coming! Santa is coming! Favourite relatives are coming! By the time Christmas Day actually does come, little children are practically bursting with excitement but their parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles are jaded, exhausted and broke.

And then… suddenly… it’s all over.

What was all the fuss about? Some nice new age-appropriate toys to play with (even if you’re in your forties, fifties or older!) A bigger than usual meal with the usual crowd and all the cleaning up afterwards. Leftover turkey and ham on sandwiches on Boxing Day while you watch the cricket on TV.

Aussie culture makes a big deal out of Christmas but some sense of anti-climax is inevitable because the culture is shallow. Festive food, family and friends are all good and important but a culture that disparages the undergirding meaning of Christmas, namely the coming of a Saviour into our world, will always be tempted to ask: “Why do we bother?”

“It’s just something we do,” you might answer. “It can be a lot of fun if we get everything right, and if no-one spits the proverbial dummy about something that was said – or something that wasn’t said but should have been!”

Christian culture is an opportunity to inject richness and meaning into fun little traditions that fill not only Christmas Day but the whole lead-in period as well. If Christmas Day is the destination, shouldn’t we also enjoy the journey getting there? The tree, the decorations, the cards, the carols, the different way we relate to people we meet on the streets and in the shops. These are all clues about how we can enjoy the season, not just the day.

If it’s all about Santa, it will all come down to a few minutes unwrapping presents on a single day. If it’s all about the meal, it will come down to an hour or so around the table. But if it’s about Jesus, it can be a whole season of witness. Multiple acts of preparation that are meaningful in and of themselves. Celebrations that are more than just a drudgery because they honestly and authentically share something of the love of God.
 

I could wish you a Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays if that’s what you prefer, but this Christmas I would like to wish you richness of meaning throughout the whole season. A Christmas season that is busy but not frantic, connected but not painful, joyful but not superficial. In other words, Christmas celebrations that are rich and deep.

And, for me, that means a Christmas season where Jesus is honoured and celebrated.

MISSIONS AND CULTURE

The early missionaries (eg, in the nineteenth century) did a wonderful job of reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They sacrificed themselves to make Christ known and, for that, they are to be highly commended.

Some missionaries, however, made the incorrect assumption that British or American culture was civilised and godly, while the people they were trying to reach lived in un-civilised, un-godly cultures. The result was that, along with the Gospel, they imposed a foreign culture.

In all cultures, there are things that are good and things that are not so good. Even in Aussie culture, we can identify some good things(eg, a sense of fairness, equality for all, mateship) and some bad things (eg, alcohol abuse, gambling, negative attitudes towards authority.)

Missionaries are now much more conscious of their own cultural blindspots. This enables them to see redemptive features in the cultures where they are working. In other words, they find the customs and rituals that actually point to Christ. God loves diversity and He has an infinite range of expressions for His truth. The Word of God then clarifies and explains these things, pointing people to God the Father, creator of all things, and to Christ, the one and only Saviour.

Christian missionaries should indeed bring new culture wherever they go. But it must be Christian culture, not the culture of their home lands. And they should pray constantly for wisdom to understand this vital difference!

ALL THINGS DECENTLY AND IN ORDER

1 Corinthians 14:40 says: “Let all things be done decently and in order.” What does this mean for Christian culture? Some Christians seem to think that man-made organisation stifles the Holy Spirit, and that we should simply let the Holy Spirit do His thing, no matter what chaos might ensue.

John 3:8 is a favourite verse for those who want man to take his hands off God’s Church. “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes.” The passage actually refers to those who are “born of the Spirit”, rather than the Holy Spirit himself, but even so, the verse does not imply chaos and confusion.

Some churches allow (and, in fact, encourage) a great deal of congregational participation in their whole-church gatherings. In other churches, the minister does everything, from beginning to end, and the congregation merely speaks and sings what is written in their liturgy or hymnbooks. Either way, someone, usually the senior minister, is ultimately responsible for the right and proper running of church meetings.

Even in his discussion of spiritual gifts in Christian gatherings, Paul insists on certain constraints. Two or three can bring a message in tongues but someone must interpret. Two prophetic messages cannot operate at the same time in the same group.

Paul is not putting himself over and above the Holy Spirit but he recognises that God is  a God of order.

In our homes, our work/school and our church, Christian culture requires an orderliness that honours God and allows things to be done with maximum effectiveness. The Holy Spirit is not opposed to good policy and planning. To follow His leading is not to abandon common sense.