Is death followed by oblivion? Or do we have an immortal soul, that will naturally continue on into another world? The Bible says that neither is true. The Biblical Word affirms that we are flesh and blood creatures, created out of the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7), with a “perishable” nature (I Cor. 15:50). We are not immortal. Our inevitable end would be death and oblivion—unless there is One who can save us. This is what God does through Jesus Christ! Through the Cross and Resurrection, Christ brings victory over sin and death and will raise us into life eternal. Thus the gospel proclaims resurrection. The answer to death is neither grim resignation to an oncoming oblivion nor the fanciful notion that we have some sort of inherent immortality; the answer to death is found in the saving power of Jesus Christ—who lifts us from death to life. As Paul declared, “In Christ shall all be made alive.” (I Corinthians 15:22)

Our inevitable end would be death and oblivion—unless there is One who can save us. Share on X

Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
John 10:27-28
I Corinthians 15:20-22, 49-57

About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.