Earlier this month, former president Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100. While factors like double-digit inflation, high unemployment and the Iran Hostage Crisis doomed his re-election bid, and negatively impacted his legacy as president, it is undeniable that Carter was one of, if not the most pious and devout president in the history of our nation. He spoke openly and often about his Christian faith, attended worship services regularly, and for decades even taught Sunday School at his Baptist church.
So it came as a bit of a shock to watch his state funeral and hear the John Lennon song “Imagine” being performed. This popular song, written in 1971, opens with the line, “Imagine there’s no heaven.” Someone who had been stranded on a desert island since 1970 might have assumed that since this song was sung at the funeral of a devout Christian, the next line would say something like, “Wouldn’t that be a cold, horrible thing when we bury a loved one? Thank God we don’t have to imagine that!” But of course, that’s not how the song goes. Instead, it goes on to say how wonderful it would be if everyone lived without the hope of an eternity spent in the mansions of heaven which Jesus himself promised and prepared. If only everyone denied the reality of heaven (and hell, for that matter), the world would be a far better place, according to one former Beatle.
That’s hardly the comforting message of the gospel of Jesus Christ I expected to hear at President Carter’s funeral. I don’t know if Carter himself chose this song, or if it was members of his family who decided that this should be sung at his state funeral. From what I’ve read, however, “Imagine” was one of Carter’s favorite songs. So, even if he hadn’t personally picked this song for his funeral service, I can only assume he would not have been unhappy to know it was sung.
It’s difficult for me to reconcile the Christian faith Carter professed with this song’s message that the world would be better off if we all lived without the hope of heaven. But I suppose a charitable view would be that his fondness for this song focused mostly or entirely on the parts that expressed a hope that one day we could all live in peace with one another, rather than the parts that denied the most basic and comforting tenet of Christianity.
But the purpose of a Christian funeral is not to showcase the deceased’s favorite songs or even to tout their accomplishments. The purpose of a Christian funeral is to give comfort to those who mourn by pointing them to Jesus, his atoning death, his glorious resurrection, and his amazing promise of heaven to those who trust in him. A Christian funeral is an opportunity for tears to be dried through the reminder that life in this world is not all there is, but instead, a perfect, eternal life awaits God’s people.
When the criminal being crucified next to Jesus turned to him and said, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom,” Jesus didn’t answer him by saying, “Sorry. You’d be better off giving up that foolish notion. Just imagine there is no heaven. But cheer up! At least you’ll be out of your misery soon.” Instead, he looked this criminal in the eye and promised him, “Today, you’ll be with me in paradise.” That man died with this promise ringing in his ears. I hope the promise, “Today, you’ll be with me in paradise” was what was ringing in Jimmy Carter’s ears when he drew his last breath, too.
• Brent Merten is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Juneau, a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. “Living and Growing” is a weekly column written by different authors and submitted by local clergy and spiritual leaders. It appears every Saturday on the Juneau Empire’s Faith page.
