Tag Archives: death

Being As Vague as Possible

Near the end of Heinz Schirk’s film on the Wannsee Conference, Heydrich tells Eichmann to “be as clear as necessary and as vague as possible” in the execution of his duty. This statement is a formulation of the principle of the lie that breeds death and is directly opposed to education’s quest for the truth that sanctifies life. Where the affirmation of the truth of the sacred is concerned, one must be as clear as possible and only as vague as necessary.

–David Patterson, When Learned Men Murder, 24

Approaching Death to the Kingdom

Everywhere one goes he finds the gaping grave swallowing up the dying. Tears of loss, of separation, of final departure stain every face. Every table sooner or later has an empty chair, every fireside its vacant place. Death is the great leveller. Wealth or poverty, fame or oblivion, power or futility, success or failure, race, creed or culture–all our human distinctions mean nothing before the ultimate irresistible sweep of the scythe of death which cuts us all down. The gravesite may be a fabulous Taj Mahal, or a massive pyramid or an unmarked forgotten spot of ragged grass, or the unplotted depths of the sea. Still one fact stands: death reigns.

Apart from the gospel of the Kingdom, death is the mighty conqueror before whom we are all helpless. We can only beat our fists against the tomb without effect. It does not yield; it does not respond. But the Good News is this: death has been defeated; our conqueror has been conquered. God displayed His Kingdom’s power through Christ’s victory over the cross. In the face of God’s Kingdom, death was helpless. It could not hold Him; death has been defeated; life and immortality have been brought to light. An empty tomb in Jerusalem is proof of it. This is the gospel of the Kingdom.

–George Eldon Ladd

True or False: Satan is the Opposite of God

false. God has no opposite. Satan was created by God, and is therefore subject to Him: Colossians 1

29. Write a brief paragraph describing how God has broken Satan’s power.

Jesus demonstrated power over the devil in his ministry on the earth (Gen. 3:15; I John 3:8) through sinlessness (Matt. 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13), truth (red letters), healing (see all healing cases), deliverance (Mark 3:22-27, Matt. 9:32-33, 12:22, 17:14-18; etc.), sacrifice (see crucifixion), and resurrection (Acts 26:14-18, Hebrews 2:14-15), thereby defeating temptation, lies, sickness, bondage, sin, and death. This is not to say we do not still experience what Christ defeated, but if we believe in Him, His power through His Spirit, enables us to conquer some elements now, others eventually (II Cor. 2:11; Eph. 6:10-18; Rom. 8:31-39; Jas. 4:7; I Peter 5:8-10; Rev. 12:10-11)

True or False: That’s Just the Way I Am

false. There is only one “I Am” who is unchangeable. You and I? We are to be conformed to His image.

29. Write a brief paragraph describing how God has broken Satan’s power.

Jesus demonstrated power over the devil in his ministry on the earth (Gen. 3:15; I John 3:8) through sinlessness (Matt. 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13), truth (red letters), healing (see all healing cases), deliverance (Mark 3:22-27, Matt. 9:32-33, 12:22, 17:14-18; etc.), sacrifice (see crucifixion), and resurrection (Acts 26:14-18, Hebrews 2:14-15), thereby defeating temptation, lies, sickness, bondage, sin, and death. This is not to say we do not still experience what Christ defeated, but if we believe in Him, His power through His Spirit, enables us to conquer some elements now, others eventually (II Cor. 2:11; Eph. 6:10-18; Rom. 8:31-39; Jas. 4:7; I Peter 5:8-10; Rev. 12:10-11)