Why aren't Christians seeking martyrdom?

Question

All you Christians want to talk about is how spiffy Heaven is and how you can't wait to get there. Yet at the same time Christians are just about as terrified of death and fascinated with living as long as possible to the next guy.

Now, if this world is so sinful and evil and awful, why do you want to stick around for so long paying your car leases, refinancing your mortgages, and deciding which health club plan is right for you?

Suicide is plainly forbidden by your religion, so that's one excuse for why you people aren't immediately offing yourselves after conversion. Fine. Let's posit that God doesn't want you to pull the trigger because He's hoping you'll do something useful with yourself and for His Kingdom.

Do you really think His amazing plan involves a white picket fence in Nebraska, a Toyota Camry, and a 401k?

Explain to me how exactly I'm supposed to take you guys seriously about your belief in "Heaven" when you're really planning to stay on Earth as long as possible.

Answer 1

Well, seeking martyrdom is putting the Lord to the test. He calls people to a variety of works. There are people in Nebraska who need to hear about Jesus too.

I agree that there should be more Christians stepping out and reaching the nations with the Gospel. This is especially true in what is called the 10/40 window. But not everyone is called to that type of work.

It is in the mundane, the daily grind, living your faith before people, that Jesus has called the majority of His followers. We are all called to share our faith, but that doesn't necessarily mean in the mission field.

(Oh, and I've already done the missions thing, so I'm not a hypocrite, thankyouverymuch.)

Answer 2

First of all - suicide is not banned by all branches of Christianity. It is a vexing dilemma and one no one should take without much thought and prayer. It is a desperate step of those who are deeply troubled. Martyrdom is not the same. There have been some great Christian martyrs who truly believed humankind would benefit from their sacrifice and more importantly that it was the will of God.

There have been martyrs of other faiths of course and they may have had equally strong convictions. I am not qualified to comment on these.
I would suggest though, that martyrdom, which others might call suicide-bombing, which often causes the death of innocent people is sinful and certainly nothing to be proud of. There is cause and effect in all that we do and people making the decision to destroy others when they give up their lives should think carefully about the consequences of their proposed actions. Often these events actually do more harm to their cause. Murder, under whatever guise, is wrong.

Christians believe that this life on earth is precious and God given but also that it is not the end when they die. No one has come back from heaven to tell us what it is like so we base our knowledge of the promises of Jesus.

It is human nature to want to stay with what you are comfortable with even if heaven is very attractive. No one has suggested in the Bible that Jesus was 'happy' to leave this earth in the way he did, or to leave his family, but he obeyed the will of God and died to save our sins. Alive in human form he could only be with a few, as the Holy Spirit (post resurrection) he can be with as all. Christians look forward to being in heaven but even so want to make the best of this life in preparation. I am not aware of any alternative that is remotely like the prospect of heaven.

Answer 3

First of all allow me to enlighten you and all your readers. You see Heaven is NOT a place where you go to...Heaven is a concept that you are supposed to bring here to earth. Simple.. No one dies and goes to heaven or hell; that is a myth...So we stick around here as long as possible until "..Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" Get it? When disease and hunger and wars and all evil things have passed away; when there is no more sorrow, no more tears and finally when the last thing to be conquered is death itself.

So don't ever imagine you are going anywhere if you die except into oblivion from whence you came. AAH but at last immortality is just around the corner; the Genetcists are at hand. If we could only stop fighting and shouting and practising the dog eat dog mentality; if only, if only mankind would, could focus their brain power on learning the way of life instead of the way of death...then will we experience heaven, on earth, not somewhere out there in the Northern Sky>>>>>>LOL.
Jesus told people where the Kingdom was a long time ago.....when he was questioned by the Parisees in Luke 17; 20,21....and in Matthew 22; 32.."God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.."

Martyrs are sadly mistaken and most people on earth too...But for you good people... hold on, hold on just a little while longer, the Kingdom is soon upon you.

Answer 4

We live in this world, and because of that we need to live our lives for however long it will last. If that includes spending our lives working, and a long retirement, than that is what happens. No one knows when they will die, and because of that we need to live our lives in way which will prevent us from being a burden on society.

Working also allows us to help others more effectively by earning money. We should look forward to heaven, and live are lives in the most moral way we can; this is where our religion comes into play. We should live our lives on this earth as best we can, but we should always be aware that we are mortal, and that one day we will die and will face the judgement of our creator who will decide whether we go to Hell or Heaven.

Answer 5

You are right about alot of what you said!

The Apostle Paul would have your Answer for you. It is in the New Testament.
I will tell you how Paul woulda' answered this Question.
I am torn between the two, to go to be with the Lord Jesus is far better, but to stay down here and help you (teach them what he had learned from Jesus) will help you!

Note: when you walk long enough and close enough with GOD, you can choose to leave when you get ready--and you do not have to commit suicide (hurting your body enough so that you, a spirit, have to leave your body for good) you can leave your body on purpose--which is Not Self Murder (suicide).
Hope this helps.
Ditto.............

Answer 6

As much as we want to go to Heaven we've been give a mission here on earth first. We need to go to all people and baptize and make disciples out of them so they can come be in Heaven with us. We're trying to increase the population of Heaven and decrease the population of Hell.

Answer 7

"if I give my body to be burned and do not have love it prophets me nothing" 1 Corinthians 13

trusting God in this world, and working through your problems with Him gives God more glory than trying to end it all and escape problems and in the end more rewarding

in a sense believers were said in Revelation that they didnt love their lives even to death. But it means laying down your sinful choices and each day turning to God and turning your face and heart toward His will... physically dying is not as hard as dying to sin

Answer 8

well you do have a good point about not wanting to die. hey who really want to leave families and friends that we all really care for. hey even followers of Christ is Humans, if you read in the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (b.i.b.l.e) it also states that even CHRIST was fearful of death...so if Christ was afraid to die.well that says a lot for us as being simple humans beings with feelings. God Bless

Answer 9

Many modern Christians are seeking a form of martyrdom by pretending that they are being persecuted and discriminated against. A coward's martyrdom, if you will.

Answer 10

what good would Martyrdom do me? Suicide would be a slap in the face to God who gave me the family I have, the spouse I love as well as my kids...as well as the body he gave to take care of...why would I dropkick all of his blessings to be a martyr??