Replies

this was not suicide in the classic, morally objectionable sense

Did I present it as if it was?

Yet it was still form of suicide, by even Samson's own words.

Nothing among the rest you touch upon is anything new to my understanding.

At one point you say;

But is this the whole story?

Of course not, though perhaps there's too much to cover in forum comment comboxes. That much, and more is easy enough to grasp.

But if, despite his weaknesses, he was simply accepting (not desiring) his death for the sake of God and God's people --- then it's fitting he should be in the Hebrews Honor Roll. He exemplifies the heroism of self-sacrifice, not the sin of suicide.

But if, if, if...

Except that ---it was still a suicide, nonetheless. He did not ask to live, but asked to die with them in setting and way whatever 'suicide' factor there was, was not clear cut-and-dried commentary about suicide, one way or another. I did not intend for it to be some kind of cut-and-dried example. That would have been impossibility. If any considered that I had -- or were concerned it would taken wrong by somebody -- not my problem, lady. Tell somebody else.

There was one poster on this thread who asked for example of suicide among the righteous. I posted comment to them.

Samson didn't exactly "exemplify the heroism of self-sacrifice" either, due to his own seeking of revenge (here again you get in the neighborhood, make some mention of that, but in doubling back, trying to have too many things both ways at once, didn't quite break the paper due to talking too much both sides of things) even though what Samson did, did serve as comeuppance for the Philistines, demonstrating too that the gifts and calling of the Lord are without repentance.

Being example used of the Lord is humbling. It seems like He makes certain there is always something of that in the mix -- lest men get too full of themselves, or else begin looking elsewhere than Him, trying to get to Him (or obtain something from Him) too fully second-hand, thus in ending result not be His own children, but someone else's.

That word-- hero. For myself, heroes are examples one may follow (even unto death), rather than paths taken by those be paths better avoided.

I get the impression that unless what is said to you conforms to your own preferred narrowization of possible meanings (which may appear so sophisticated and complete to yourself) -- you may not understand what was said to you at all.

Pulling temple of the world down on our own heads (in order to destroy it, and the occupants) I gather is not the Lord's preference ---or else He'd likely as not have smoked this entire place (mankind) by now & done so long ago.

He drowned them all, once. All but 8 souls...

Though I will tell you -- if all there was available to me was the mish-mash of what comes out of your mouth, and the mouths of your cohorts (with a few exceptions) I would possibly contemplate suicide just to get away from you people.