Dead Poets, Empty tombs and Christ-Centered Education (September 11, 2009)
There is a classic scene in the movie “Dead Poet’s Society” where Mr. John Keating, played by Robin Williams, makes an incredible and profound point to his new literature students. On the first day of class at a prestigious school, Mr. Keating gathers the young high school students out into the foyer and challenges them to consider the following poetic lines:
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today,
Tomorrow will be dying.
Having captured the attention of these students, shocking them with the reality of life’s brevity, Mr. Keating drives home his lesson with a plea for a change of their personal perspectives on life. While the young men stare at pictures of former students now deceased, Mr. Keating projects the whispers of the alumnus’ legacies of carpe diem, “Seize the Day” and charges these young men to make their lives extraordinary.
Although the “Dead Poet’s Society” does not provide Christ-centered answers to the question of life, the movie does cause one to wrestle with the truth that “life is but a vapor.” This simple yet profound truth is a repeated theme throughout the Book of Ecclesiastes. It’s in these words, Solomon reminds us that “death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this to heart” (7:2). Just how does one grapple with this rather uncomfortable reality? How do parents and Christian schools help children and students to think critically about the fact that life is but a fleeting shadow?
First and most importantly, Christianity offers the only hope to the mortality of this life. In Mr. Keating’s words, this body is simply “food for worms” and “fertilizer for daffodils.” However, the message of Christianity does not end with this somber reality but boasts of the hope of a resurrection. The central truth of Christianity lies in the historical reality of Jesus’ resurrection - Jesus was crucified; He died and was buried; yet, the tomb was found empty! This wonderful truth revolutionized the lives of Jesus’ followers and has changed the world. In response to the resurrection, the Apostle Paul proclaims “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? … But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57) Hence, those that have committed their lives to following Jesus are assured that this mortal body will one day be replaced with an immortal one. As Jesus was resurrected, His followers will be resurrected too.
Christ’s resurrection and our life in Him is core to Christianity and becomes the foundation for one to properly answer the tough questions regarding life’s brevity. With the resurrection, Jesus is vindicated as Lord! Since He is Lord, the proper response is to “seize the day!” Life is to be lived, moment by moment, for the glory of God. Whatever the activity, Christians are challenged to do everything with all of their might, as unto the Lord, and not simply for people. In the realm of education, teachers are challenged to live this out in their preparation, in their classroom instruction, and in their interactions outside of the classroom. Students are challenged to live and persevere through every moment of every activity – including class time, chapel hour, on or off the field/court, in all extracurricular activities, in groups or by themselves – with all of their strength, offering it as worship and service to God. Life is certainly to be enjoyed and lived to the fullest, yet, we must walk out each day with the understanding that all of our thoughts and actions will be evaluated by God (Ecclesiastes 11:9). It is this type of approach that allows one to truly seize the day.
Life is certainly short. For the glory of God, make your lives extraordinary!
