Grave Concern

Photo by pcrm Dorego on Unsplash

The shamelessness of corporate media sunk to new depths on Monday, August 4th. Joaquin Oliver, a victim of the Parkland, Florida shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, was “resurrected” for an AI video interview with CNN’s Jim Acosta. The event was sanctioned by the victim’s family to commemorate what would have been Oliver’s 25th birthday. In a move less shocking, the image and voice of the departed teen was used to endorse the exact position of CNN—that of reducing “gun violence.” The video interaction using the image of Oliver was as unconvincing as believing that the motives of the news network were pure. The fact that Acosta advertised and then locked down comments on his X profile reveals a certain level of guilt in his case, an acknowledgment that this move would be met with the negative feedback it deserves.

As we move forward in the AI frontier, we should be aware that the usage of this technology will grow ever darker. It may be fascinating at first to see Michael Jackson come back and moonwalk for the last time or Babe Ruth give a final message telling the kids of today to keep sluggin’. However, it doesn’t take a programmer to acknowledge that this technology will ultimately be used in the same way as the news headlines or radio broadcasts of yesteryear: to convince the general public of the position they should hold on a given matter.

Thankfully, the Bible addresses every dilemma that can be postulated across the physical and spiritual divide. What would one say if he or she really could return from the grave? As a parent, I admit the events at Parkland are unfathomable. I feel like I should tread lightly, but am also animated by disgust at CNN’s hubris. When tragedies occur, families are hit hardest. Yet those who are not loved ones still have questions.

Jesus addresses this topic in Luke 13. The audience asks for clarity regarding “the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices,” possibly a reference to Jews who were part of a “hit” by disguised Roman officials at a festival to put down what was feared by the state as an insurrection (v. 1). Another tragedy occurred when eighteen died when the tower of Siloam fell upon them (v. 4). The question they asked is the same as some will ask during modern catastrophes. What did these people do to deserve such horror?

Jesus uses this teaching moment to emphasize the brevity of the here and now. The simple fact is that not all of us will die in rocking chairs, fondly remembering our grandchildren. Life is a vapor (Jas. 4:14) and we would do well to “number our days,” as Moses asked (Psa. 90:12). Jesus taught that a life without repentance ultimately leads to a tragic ending, regardless of the painlessness of our final hours: “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (v. 5, NKJV).

There are many true resurrections found in the Bible from which we can rely on a pure message. In the Old Testament, the prophet Elijah raised the son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kgs. 17:17–24), and Elisha raised the son of the Shunammite woman (2 Kgs. 4:18–37). In both cases, the children were restored to life, but no words from them are recorded after their resurrections. Another resurrection occurs when a dead man is hastily buried in Elisha’s tomb, and upon touching the prophet’s bones, he revives and stands up (2 Kgs. 13:20–21). Yet again, the narrative provides no speech or testimony from the revived man.

In the New Testament, Jesus performs several resurrections. Jairus’ daughter is brought back to life in Mark 5 and Luke 8, but she does not speak in the biblical record. Similarly, the widow of Nain’s son is raised in Luke 7, and though the text says he began to speak, the content of his words is not preserved. Perhaps the most well-known resurrection Jesus performed was that of Lazarus in John 11. After being four days dead, Lazarus is called out of the tomb and returns to life, but Scripture offers no recorded words from him upon his return. He is later seen dining with Jesus (John 12:1–2), and his very presence causes many to believe, but again, no direct speech is quoted.

The Book of Acts includes additional resurrections through the ministry of the apostles. Peter raises Tabitha (Dorcas) in Acts 9, and Paul revives Eutychus after he falls from a window in Acts 20. In both instances, the individuals are restored to life, but no words from them are recorded.

A unique and mysterious resurrection occurs in Matthew 27:51–53, when, after Jesus’ resurrection, many holy people rise from their graves and appear to many in Jerusalem. These resurrected saints likewise leave no spoken testimony in the biblical text.

In the apocalyptic language of Revelation 11, two prophetic witnesses are killed and resurrected before ascending to heaven. While their actions are described in dramatic detail, no direct words are attributed to them post-resurrection.

The silence of these resurrections may seem puzzling, but this is because we could have no authority greater than Jesus on the matter. Jesus’ own resurrection is the only one in Scripture where detailed post-resurrection speech is recorded. After rising from the dead, Jesus speaks with Mary Magdalene, the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and the apostles. His words include comfort, instruction, and the Great Commission—the repentance and baptism that leads to eternal life (Matt. 28:18-20). Jesus is the lone exception of one who came back from the grave and actually spoke because of His authority based on God’s power over death.

Jesus is the one who answers the question, “what would one who came back really say?” No, Jesus does not refer to the account of someone in a deep coma on the operating table and talk about the minutes of darkness and what said person witnessed during a brief interlude. He gives us the words of life because He conquered death, even the cross (Phil. 2:8-11).

What about one who could not be resurrected but who is in the grave now? Would he or she have a message? In addition to the many physical resurrections recorded in Scripture, Jesus gave a striking account in Luke 16:19–31 that offers a window into the afterlife. In this narrative, Jesus tells of a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus who both die. Lazarus is carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom, a place of comfort, while the rich man finds himself in torment in Hades. Unlike parables, which typically do not name characters, this account names Lazarus and Abraham, suggesting it is a true historical event. What makes this passage especially significant is the rich man’s desperate plea that someone be sent from the dead to warn his still-living brothers. Abraham replies that they have Moses and the prophets and that even if someone were raised from the dead, they would not be persuaded.

The good news is that all the technology we’ll ever need can be found in our Bibles. Peter’s confession of Jesus’ deity is often noted in Matthew 16:13-20, but consider also what Peter revealed at the thought of leaving Jesus: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Answers from beyond are insufficient without Christ’s insight. Unfortunately, people will continue to look for answers beyond the grave and ignore these words until He returns (2 Tim. 3:1-5; 2 Pet. 3).

“Artificial Intelligence,” programmed by godless engineers, cannot improve on the information that the rich man already had in Luke 16. No matter how convincing technology gets, we should feel confident these questions have been answered sufficiently. As preachers, we are asked to preside over funerals where we are either unsure of the departed person’s salvation or are aware that the deceased individual never repented nor was baptized. What do we say to the family who has asked us to conduct such services? The answer is to respect both the words of the Bible and the silence—even from beyond the grave. God’s words are so impactful that they cross the divide. What any departed soul would tell you has no relevance beyond what Jesus and the rich man said. We can rely on the one who is the preeminent figure of history, Jesus, who said: “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). This is humanity’s chief concern, and only Jesus Christ carries the keys to unlock that realm (Rev. 1:18).