Earthling
David Henson
Judges 9:52-54 - Abimelech made a dying request based upon his own primitive thinking. I wouldn’t consider this a Bible commentary on suicide as much as it is an excellent opportunity for the skeptic to make the Bible look sexist. 2 Samuel 11:21 seems to indicate that Abimelech's effort was in vain.
Judges 16:29-30 - Samson was the blinded captive of a people who he had killed many of; in other words, he was a dead man. He seized the opportunity much like a good soldier in a similar position would have done.
John 10:17-18 - There are some interesting points about these verses. Note that in the original language Jesus actually says that he was giving his soul (Greek psykhe) in order that he might receive it again. His soul. Verse 17 has Jesus surrendering his soul, in other words his blood or life, so that he might receive it again. This sort of reminds me of heart surgery where the heart is stopped and the person is in effect dead, so that they might live.
Jesus had lived in spirit form in heaven long before the earth was created, and he would live as such again. (John 8:23 / Colossians 1:15) What he was doing was giving his life or blood from the physical body in human form which he had briefly lived. Jesus’ experience could hardly be seen as an example of the benefits of suicide since only Jesus would ever have to make such a sacrifice, and his return three days later is not something that a person committing suicide could expect.
The Bible says that there is no greater love than to give ones life for another. (John 15:13) I doubt that even the most hard core skeptic would see a parent giving their life for a child or a soldier giving his life for country or cause as suicide.
Revelation 9:6 - Revelation chapter nine is talking about spiritual destruction, the sting from the scorpions isn’t even real. That the people would rather die than face the spiritual destruction they have, up to that point, perpetuated as well as have been enslaved to through tradition doesn’t really speak to me about suicide as much as it does a lack of appreciation of life. They are not liberated by truth, they cling to their destructive traditions to the grave rather than give them up.
Judges 16:29-30 - Samson was the blinded captive of a people who he had killed many of; in other words, he was a dead man. He seized the opportunity much like a good soldier in a similar position would have done.
John 10:17-18 - There are some interesting points about these verses. Note that in the original language Jesus actually says that he was giving his soul (Greek psykhe) in order that he might receive it again. His soul. Verse 17 has Jesus surrendering his soul, in other words his blood or life, so that he might receive it again. This sort of reminds me of heart surgery where the heart is stopped and the person is in effect dead, so that they might live.
Jesus had lived in spirit form in heaven long before the earth was created, and he would live as such again. (John 8:23 / Colossians 1:15) What he was doing was giving his life or blood from the physical body in human form which he had briefly lived. Jesus’ experience could hardly be seen as an example of the benefits of suicide since only Jesus would ever have to make such a sacrifice, and his return three days later is not something that a person committing suicide could expect.
The Bible says that there is no greater love than to give ones life for another. (John 15:13) I doubt that even the most hard core skeptic would see a parent giving their life for a child or a soldier giving his life for country or cause as suicide.
Revelation 9:6 - Revelation chapter nine is talking about spiritual destruction, the sting from the scorpions isn’t even real. That the people would rather die than face the spiritual destruction they have, up to that point, perpetuated as well as have been enslaved to through tradition doesn’t really speak to me about suicide as much as it does a lack of appreciation of life. They are not liberated by truth, they cling to their destructive traditions to the grave rather than give them up.