Here’s what the Bible really says.
New Testament scholar N.T. Wright recently addressed the sensitive issue of suicide and its relation to salvation on his podcast. He responded to questions from a listener who had encountered children asking whether people who commit suicide can still go to Heaven. Wright acknowledged the emotional weight of such questions, drawing from personal experience within his own family, and emphasized the importance of compassion and deeper theological understanding when addressing this topic.
Wright explained that asking why God allows suicide ties into the broader question of why suffering exists in the world. He rejected the idea that God micromanages human actions and instead highlighted that God values human maturity and freedom. In a world marked by brokenness, tragedies like suicide often occur without clear reasons, reflecting the complex nature of human life and suffering.
He also challenged the common belief that Christianity is solely about souls going to Heaven. Instead, he emphasized the biblical view of resurrection and new creation, where God will ultimately restore all things. According to Wright, the more meaningful question is whether a person remains in relationship with Jesus, rather than whether they pass a specific moral test at the end of life.
Wright strongly opposed the notion that suicide is an unforgivable sin, labeling such beliefs as harmful and incorrect. He pointed out that most suicides are the result of deep suffering, mental illness, or despair, not deliberate rejection of God. Wright expressed hope that God’s presence is with those in pain, even in their darkest moments, and that Christ, who experienced abandonment and death, is able to embrace and restore those who have suffered.
Adding to this perspective, theologian John Piper asserted that the good deeds of believers are not erased by later failures or tragic ends. He emphasized God’s faithfulness to reward genuine acts of goodness and highlighted scriptures that promise divine recognition of these deeds. Piper reassured listeners that for true Christians, God’s grace and judgment remain secure, regardless of how their lives may end.