Faith
Why Death Feels So Unnatural to the Human Soul
Faith Facts
- A British pastor observed how a 95-year-old parishioner’s faith deepened as her physical body weakened in her final days
- Christian theology teaches that human discomfort with death stems from being created for eternal life, not mortality
- True peace with death comes only through faith in Christ and the hope of eternal life in heaven
Death remains one of humanity’s greatest sources of discomfort and fear, even in a culture that tries to hide it behind sterile medical environments and euphemistic language. But according to Rev. Jamie Sewell, a British pastor who has walked alongside many believers through their final days, there’s a profound theological reason for this universal unease.
Reverend Sewell recently witnessed the passing of a 95-year-old member of his congregation. As her body grew weaker, he observed something remarkable: her faith grew stronger. This paradox illustrates a fundamental Christian truth about the nature of death and why it feels so foreign to the human experience.
“We find death so hard because we were made for eternity,”
Sewell explains, pointing to the biblical understanding that humanity was originally created for immortal communion with God.
The discomfort we feel when confronting death isn’t simply fear of the unknown or grief over loss. It’s a deep spiritual recognition that death is an intruder—something fundamentally contrary to our divine design. From a Christian perspective, death entered the world through sin, disrupting God’s original plan for His creation.
This theological framework helps explain why even societies that try to sanitize or rationalize death never fully succeed in making people comfortable with it. No amount of medical advancement or philosophical reasoning can remove the sting of mortality because the problem is spiritual, not merely physical or intellectual.
According to Sewell’s observations, believers who have cultivated a living relationship with Christ throughout their lives often experience a transformation as death approaches. Rather than succumbing to despair, their faith intensifies. They begin to see beyond the failing body to the eternal reality that awaits.
“We only make peace with it when we find the hope of heaven,”
Sewell notes, emphasizing that this hope isn’t wishful thinking but a confident expectation rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Bible presents death as a defeated enemy. Through Christ’s victory over the grave, death has lost its ultimate power over those who trust in Him. This doesn’t eliminate the grief and loss that accompany death in this world, but it fundamentally changes the nature of our relationship with mortality.
For the elderly parishioner Sewell accompanied, her weakening body became a vessel for strengthening faith. As the physical reality of this world faded, the spiritual reality of the next became clearer. This pattern repeats in countless deathbed scenes across history, where believers have testified to experiencing profound peace and even joy as they approach eternity.
The Christian perspective stands in stark contrast to secular approaches to death, which often oscillate between denial and despair. Without the hope of resurrection and eternal life, death remains an absurdity—the ultimate negation of meaning and purpose. But with Christ, death becomes a doorway rather than a dead end.
This hope transforms not only how we die but how we live. Recognizing that we were made for eternity gives purpose and direction to our earthly existence. It reminds us that our current struggles are temporary and that our true citizenship is in heaven.
The apostle Paul captured this tension when he wrote about death being swallowed up in victory. He acknowledged the reality of death’s presence while proclaiming its ultimate defeat. This biblical realism doesn’t minimize grief but places it within a larger framework of hope.
Sewell’s ministry experience confirms what Scripture teaches: death feels unnatural because it is unnatural. We were created for life, not death. The discomfort we feel is actually a signpost pointing us toward our true home—a restored creation where death will be no more.
As America continues to grapple with an aging population and questions about end-of-life care, the Christian perspective offers something medical science cannot: hope beyond the grave. While compassionate care for the dying remains essential, the ultimate comfort comes from knowing that physical death is not the final word.
For families watching loved ones decline, Sewell’s testimony offers encouragement. The weakening of the body doesn’t have to mean the weakening of faith. In fact, for many believers, the approach of death clarifies what truly matters and draws them closer to the Savior who conquered death on their behalf.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith Facts
- The Restoration Movement produced three distinct fellowships by 1906, with Churches of Christ emerging as a conservative, Bible-focused body
- Early 20th-century leaders in Indiana, Tennessee, and Texas held differing convictions on the Holy Spirit, millennial teaching, and church institutions
- The conservative Texas tradition ultimately shaped the doctrinal identity that guided Churches of Christ for much of the twentieth century
A new book from Abilene Christian University Press offers a detailed look at the doctrinal battles that forged the identity of Churches of Christ in the decades after 1906. The volume, the first of three planned works, draws on essays by eight authors who trace how congregations navigated questions of Scripture, worship, and church order.
By the early twentieth century, the Restoration Movement had separated into three distinct groups. Churches of Christ stood apart for their commitment to congregational autonomy and a plain reading of the New Testament.
The collection opens with Daniel Sommer’s 1889 Address and Declaration, which set the tone for separation from the Disciples of Christ. Subsequent chapters highlight the contributions of David Lipscomb and respected African-American leaders such as Preston Taylor, S.W. Womack, and Marshall Keeble.
“Allen and Hicks are to be commended for editing a splendid and illuminating volume. Readers interested in the history of Churches of Christ will eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series.”
Three regional traditions emerged, each with its own convictions. Leaders in Tennessee upheld belief in miraculous divine action and a future millennial kingdom, while Indiana voices favored noninstitutional simplicity and resisted Bible colleges. The Texas tradition, emphasizing the Word alone and strict obedience to positive commands, gradually gained dominance.
Through influential publications like R.L. Whiteside and C.R. Nichol’s Sound Doctrine series and N.B. Hardeman’s Tabernacle Sermons, the Texas perspective reached congregations across the nation. By the 1930s, the Gospel Advocate had become its leading voice.
The book closes with primary source excerpts that allow readers to hear the founders in their own words. Christian families and church libraries will find this careful history both instructive and encouraging for the challenges of today.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith Facts
- Bank of America closed a Christian ministry’s account in 2020 citing internal policies against certain business types.
- Multiple ministries and faith-based organizations have reported similar account closures from major financial institutions.
- Faith-based groups are increasingly facing challenges accessing traditional banking services across the United States.
In 2020, Bank of America informed a Christian ministry that its account was being closed because the institution had chosen not to service certain types of businesses. The ministry initially believed this decision was isolated to their organization alone.
Further investigation revealed that other faith-based groups had encountered the same treatment from the same financial institution. The pattern suggests a broader policy affecting religious organizations seeking banking services.
“I thought we were the only ones. We weren’t.”
This experience highlights growing concerns among Christian ministries about access to essential financial services. Many traditional banks appear to be reevaluating their relationships with faith-based organizations.
The closure of accounts for religious ministries raises questions about religious liberty and equal access to financial services. Christian organizations across the country are exploring alternative banking options that align with their values and mission.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith Facts
- A group of pastors gathered to pray over Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton at a campaign rally, calling on God for supernatural favor in the final weeks before the Senate election.
- The clergy specifically invoked Romans 13, urging divine support for Paxton as he seeks to represent Texas in the United States Senate.
- The public prayer event reflects a growing trend of faith leaders openly supporting conservative candidates who align with traditional Christian values.
A group of Texas pastors publicly prayed over Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton at a campaign rally this week, asking God to grant him favor with voters in the final stretch of his Senate bid.
The clergy cited Romans 13 during the prayer, reminding supporters that governing authorities are called to serve as ministers of God for justice and order.
Pastors for Paxton gathered to pray over @KenPaxtonTX at his rally today in Conroe. Pastors @Steve_Riggle and @BuntrockJames led us in asking God to grant him wisdom, strength, and protection as he serves Texas. ???? https://t.co/8GQVrU5zxO
— Pastors For Paxton (@pastors4paxton) October 20, 2026
“Give him favor with voters.”
Paxton, who has long positioned himself as a defender of biblical values on issues like life, marriage, and religious liberty, welcomed the spiritual covering from the pastors in attendance.
The event underscores the deep connection many conservative voters in Texas feel between their faith and their political choices.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
-
Self-Reliance2 years agoTrump’s Bold Move Uncovers Massive Social Security Fraud
-
Faith2 years agoNew Clues Emerge in Noah’s Ark Mystery
-
News2 years agoGovernor Walz’s Rhetoric Sparks National Controversy
-
News2 years agoMel Gibson’s ‘The Passion of the Christ’ Sequel Title Announced
-
Family2 years agoTexas Lawmaker Targets Furries in Schools
-
Freedom2 years agoMaine Lawmaker Challenges Sports Fairness Controversy
-
Family1 year agoCanada’s Controversial Policy Sparks Ethical Debate
-
Faith11 months ago
Congress Hears Pleas for Nigerian Christians