Theology Thursday: We will remember them
Theology Thursday: We will remember them Posted by John Percival, 30 Oct 2014
But should we pray for those who have died? We are rapidly approaching Hallowe’en, the traditional vigil on the night before All Saints’ Day (1st November) and All Souls’ Day (2nd November), and at this time of year many in the Church of England will be offering prayers for the departed.
Less than a fortnight before Remembrance Day, the issue is even more acute in this year of centenary remembrance for the start of World War I. We will remember them… but should we pray for those who have died?
The Church of England resources for the commemoration of World War I encourage us to pray that God would grant “the departed rest” and “grant to those who have died in war your mercy and forgiveness”.
Andrew Goddard helpfully highlighted some of the theological issues surrounding this liturgy on a blog, while also wondering out loud whether evangelicals were bothered about this issue any more.
Certainly for open evangelicals, Tom Wright has spoken perfectly clearly on this topic: “I see no reason why we should not pray for and with the dead, and every reason why we should – not that they will get out of purgatory, but that they will be refreshed, and filled with God’s joy and peace. Love passes into prayer; we still love them; why not hold them, in that love, before God?” (Surprised by Hope, p. 184).
For the rest, see: http://churchsociety.org/blog/entry/theology_thursday_we_will_remember_them#When:07:00:00Z
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