Comments on: I deleted my post on suicide: The conversation was good, but not the potential consequences.

By: Are Public Rebukes Okay? My Advice | Fallen and Flawed

Are Public Rebukes Okay? My Advice | Fallen and Flawed — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:01:30 +0000

[...] you posted and then waited for word to get back to the potential offender. I saw this happen with a suicide post my Abraham [...]

By: David

David — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 23:49:26 +0000

Hey Abraham,
Don’t be too worried man. I am definitely not a psychiatrist, but played one on my rotation in medical school. People often are afraid to mention suicide to potential victims of the tragic act. However, it has been proven in several studies that asking about suicide in no way increases “suicidal ideation” as the docs would call it. In fact, asking if they would go to Hell was the most consistent question asked when talking with people on the brink of suicide on the crisis ward. It was also was an amazing open door to talk about the Gospel. I DO NOT think you should have deleted it. If anyway finds your post on suicide, you most certainly would not lead them to go through with it. If anything, holding Christ up as our sufficiency and tearing down the walls of works based righteousness could only be helpful in their illness.
Press on Brother, and tell Tyler Kenney I think he is the man.
David

By: ls

ls — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:15:56 +0000

it’s still on my google reader, so i got a chance to read it, but i understand your decision to delete it.

i had actually listened to that podcast a while ago, though, which brought a lot of clarity.

thanks.

By: jessica mell

jessica mell — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:18:16 +0000

i’m thankful that you are actively concerned with loving up-building.

By: ghoulintheattic

ghoulintheattic — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 05:50:31 +0000

heyy, wow.

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:51:14 +0000

I too am disappointed that you have removed the post. It needed to be said.

By: Deron

Deron — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:43:06 +0000

Another great and unique reason to read your blog.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:10:49 +0000

This just happened with an awesome believer in my church. We were all stunned including his family. Our pastor preached a most fitting sermon at the funeral. http://www.smic.org/resources/sermons/192-gary-philip-cody-memorial-service-part-2
The response has been incredible.

By: Abraham Piper

Abraham Piper — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:42:25 +0000

Not at all, Charles.

By: Charles Jannace

Charles Jannace — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:33:58 +0000

Wow, was it something we said?

By: Bryan

Bryan — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:37:23 +0000

Wow- it’s rare to see “I’m sorry” in the blogosphere. Thank you.

By: SharonAbelle

SharonAbelle — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:53:58 +0000

Thanks for linking to the full message, thus giving me that blessing of your Dad’s comments.

Close to 30 years ago, I lingered very close to the line of suicide for some months.

During that time, I sat in a Sunday morning Bible class and heard a well known, Bible-based believer scathingly say, “I do not believer any believer could EVER commit suicide or consider suicide.”

If I hadn’t been so terribly heartsick and weary that morning (I thought at the time) I would have just raised my hand and quietly said, “Oh. Let me explain it to you.”

By: Hannah

Hannah — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:28:55 +0000

One of the most frustrating things about blogging is probably one of the best– that feedback keeps me awfully honest.

I get so annoyed about having to be ultra-careful in what I choose to write, but then again, picking my words carefully is something I should do more often (in my speech, for example!).

Anyway, just thinking about the responsibility of writing to an audience.

By: Harlan

Harlan — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:08:01 +0000

My understanding of suicide is tempered by the six suicides I see in scripture. Look at the lives of each one, none are godly. Look at the Phillipian jailor, the Lord prevented his attempt.
Our comfort to the living will not change the condition of the dead.
This is a much longer discussion, but I believe it is best for all of us and especially those inclined towards suicide to remain agnostic as to the final state of any particular suicide.

By: Chris Brauns

Chris Brauns — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:44:34 +0000

Wise.

By: cland13

cland13 — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:38:28 +0000

Funny I posted a similar post yesterday in response to a question from one of my students at our student ministry blog, and before I posted it I thought of the possible consequences you’re talking about…i still posted it but made sure to add some further commentary before I did.

By: Kent Shaffer

Kent Shaffer — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:21:17 +0000

I appreciate that you kept your apology to 22 words.

By: nathan

nathan — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:18:07 +0000

That’s cool. Sometimes, the risk isn’t worth the entry. I just did a post on my blog on a pure heart in the raging battle against pornography. And part of me feels – still – that the consequences of a misunderstanding cooiuld be bad.

By: Abraham Piper

Abraham Piper — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:48:22 +0000

Thanks for your thoughts, Amber.

You can still read the funeral message where the quote was from if you want to.

It’s better and safer in the context of the whole message, obviously.

By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:38:19 +0000

I have to say I’m disappointed the post is gone. As the niece of a Christian who committed suicide, I read the original post and thought, “Finally. Someone said it out loud.” Too many people think that the inability to survive a mental illness that ultimately ends in suicide means you can’t possibly be a Christian. And too many people let a grieving family know that. I know why you deleted it, but thank you for posting it in the first place.

By: Ann

Ann — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:26:48 +0000

I understand and respect your decision, although I thought the original quote was also quite insightful. Wise call, I think.