Embalm the corpse in euphemism's sage
Denials: let us speak of passing on,
Of nature's sleep, of being borne upon
An angel's wings, of rest - but never rage
Against the dying light, enfeebled age
Engulged by futile protest. Wretched con -
It sanctions anguish over one who's gone,
Yet masks death with the trappings of a stage.
This pagan mindset, satisfied grim Death
Can gently be dismissed as natural
Because inevitable, is bereft
Of hope and truth alike. The biblical
Claims both: before Christ's deathless life's applied
Comes pitiful lament: "and then he died!"
- Carson, D.A. Holy Sonnets of the Twentieth Century. Baker Books. 1994.
This verse reflects the corrected, appropriate response Christians should have toward death. Death entered the world as a result of disobedience (Rom. 5.12-14; 1 Cor 15.21). To downplay death's wretched impact is to deny reality, deny the Gospel, deny the need for a Saviour.
While pushing the edge, this segment from a M*A*S*H episode (note: as far as I know, a non-Christian screenwriter or source, though clearly influenced by a Christian mindset) aptly displays an anger at death, treating death as an enemy to be battled.
[Hawkeye] You ever
get the feeling there's a war going on? There's always a war going on.
War is the world's favorite spectator sport.
Give me some more skin sutures.
Everybody knows war is hell.
Remember, you heard it here last.
War isn't hell.
War is war, and hell is hell.
And of the two, war is a lot worse.
[Father] How do you figure that, Hawkeye?
[Hawkeye] Easy,
Father. Tell me, who goes to hell?
[Father] Sinners, I
believe.
[Hawkeye] Exactly.
There are no innocent bystanders in hell.
But war is chockfull of them little kids, cripples, old ladies.
Except for a few of the brass, almost everybody involved is an innocent
bystander.
…
No
pulse!
Amanda! Adrenaline! Bag 'im! Gloria! Bicarb! Where's the adrenaline? Into the
I.
V.
Tubing.
Come on! Come on, damn it! I'm gonna go inside.
Give me a knife.
Rib spreader! Hurry up! Hurry up! Come on.
Come on.
Live, damn it.
Live.
Don't let the bastard win.
I'm getting a pulse.
It's getting better.
All right.
Let's close up.
Chest tube.
Pressure's coming up.
[B.J.] Nice goin', Hawk.
- …
[Potter] Seen
enough, Colonel?
[Colonel] A little
hot-tempered, isn't he?
[Potter] Yes, and
this is one of his cooler days.
Well, I told you Pierce wasn't the man you were looking for.
Fine doctor, but undisciplined.
I should add he hates brass.
[Colonel] I'll include that in my report to the general.
[Potter] According to Pierce, the only medical attention generals require is a
daily high colonic.
[Colonel] Incredible.
[Potter] Have a good trip back.
Sorry you had to waste all this time.
[Colonel] Listen, Potter.
Yes, Colonel?
[Colonel] In the
operating room, when Pierce was trying to save that man's life, he said
"Don't let the bastard win. Who was he talking about?
[Potter]
Death. When it comes to death, Pierce is a sore loser.
[Colonel] It's a part of life, part of war. And we're soldiers.
[Potter] Maybe we are, but Pierce isn't.
He's just humoring us by wearing that uniform.
He's one doctor who'll never be nonchalant where death is concerned.
He'll always take it personally.
[Colonel] He could crack up with that attitude.
[Potter] You're right.
https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/view_episode_scripts.php?tv-show=mash&episode=s05e20 Accessed 2018-09-15. Modified slightly for formatting
Excusing the questionable theology, the point of absolute hatred toward death is commendable.
May we, may I, grow in this hatred toward death, and the corollary, the love and embrace of life as found in Jesus.
I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14.6, ESV)
