Communication Between Cultures

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the

kingdom of heaven.

These two core collections of Christian ethical standards clearly demonstrate that

Jesus’message was the universal belief in the Golden Rule (“You shall love your neigh-

bor as yourself”) and a deep sense of compassion. As Matthews points out,“Giving

money and goods needed by others has long been a part of Christian living.”^78

Christianity and Notions About Death

Even though death is a universal experience, every worldview and religious tradition

has discovered a way to mark the event with its own interpretation. That is, regardless

of the explanation advanced, religious and secular traditions attempt to enlighten their

members about death. Explanations of death, regardless of the tradition, examine the

following six questions:“What is the purpose of death? Does existence end at death?

If not, what happens after death? Are we embodied in a similar form or in a different

form? Is there a final judgment? And how are we to prepare for our own dying?”^79

The Christian answers to these questions are not simple for two reasons. First,

there is a great variety of Christian denominations. Second, interpretations of the

Old and New Testaments often differ. However, regardless of the name of the Chris-

tian denomination or the teachings it follows, there is a theme about death that links

them. All explanations begin with the clear admonition in Ecclesiastes 3:2, namely,

that there is“a time to be born, and a time to die.”From this scripture grows the

foundation for the explanations about death and the afterlife. One of the central

explanations is that the manner in which people lived their life is the most significant

element in determining their“union with the Lord.”As Jackson notes,“One cannot

live wrong and die right.”^80 Matthews summarizes this core belief as he writes,“Most

Christians believe that those who have lived a righteous life will live happily in the

presence of God in heaven; those who are wicked will endure hell.”^81 Many turn to

John 11:25–26 for the following words of guidance and inspiration:“I am the resur-

rection. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies, he will live, and whoever lives

and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”^82 A similar passage is found

While death is a
universal experience,
every worldview and
religious tradition has
developed a way to
mark the event with
its own interpretation.

© Taylor Ingalls

122 CHAPTER 4•Worldview: Cultural Explanations of Life and Death

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