A Review by Jared Shaw
September 13, 2011, is a day I will never forget. Very early in our marriage, we learned that my wife had conceived. We were young, excited, and nervous all at once. Everything seemed fine until the night of September 12. Maggie was bleeding and couldn’t stop it. The next day, at her first OBGYN appointment, our fears were confirmed. Maggie had miscarried our first child. For two or three years, I wrestled deeply with the question, “Where is my miscarried infant?” During my first semester of graduate classes, I read Dr. John MacArthur’s book Safe in the Arms of God, a balm to my aching heart. After reading it, I was convinced that my deceased infant was truly safe in the arms of God.
Book Structure
MacArthur’s book details the mystery of election and how God can never act outside of his nature. It is organized in a simple, clear way. He begins by sharing stories from people he has counseled, who have lost infants or young children. In these sessions, he often focuses on God’s character, especially important when he talks about what happens to the children of parents who do not believe. Throughout the book, he reminds readers of God’s mercy, kindness, and the comfort God gives to those who are grieving.
Personal Impact
The main issue with which I wrestled dealt with the doctrine of election. Are all infants elected before their death? I personally believed that infants who die would be in heaven, though I couldn’t articulate my points very well. I needed confirmation.
MacArthur posed a question that shattered my pride and simultaneously healed my heart. Is God a God of mercy and compassion? That question gave me pause. Through my tears of joy came the confirmation that my child was in the loving presence of Jesus and would never experience the ugliness of sin. This baby would never have to suffer the pains of life because he is in the presence of an eternal, perfect, loving Father. Dr. MacArthur details these ideas throughout each page of his book, and every chapter is filled with biblical texts that serve as a balm to other weary hearts.
Church Fellowship in the Midst of Loss
Death is something that touches everyone. Some have faced miscarriages, while others have lost older children or family members who lived to old age. What is special about Christian teaching is the promise that we can overcome death because God became a man whose finished work on the cross and his resurrection defeated the power of death, hell, and sin, giving victory to those who believe. Following are three theological points from McArthur’s book that can help us in seasons of grief.
1. Death is a product of sin be it a baby that died in the womb or a grandfather who died of old age; however, Christians, are not condemned by it. The baby will never experience sin’s fullness, and those who die in Christ at an old age have overcome sin forever.
2. Christians can remind one another of the goodness of God. Even in the death of a loved one, God is good. To quote Dr. MacArthur, “All death can do for a believer is deliver him to the presence of God.” All death can do for an infant is deliver him safely into the arms of a loving God.
3. Finally, we can call to mind that the fellowship we have is eternal. Either we will be reunited with our loved ones in death, or we will be reunited with them when Christ returns. All death can do is remind us of our eternal home and the fact that all who are in Christ have an eternal fellowship.