THE further Britain moves away from the Christian faith, the greater is the spiritual ignorance of the population. The more “the glorious gospel of the blessed God” is despised, the deeper the darkness grows. The growing darkness is very much evidenced, for instance, by many thousands of people looking to astrologers, fortune-tellers and mediums for guidance about their future. A recent survey by the University of Leeds showed that “organised religion, in particular Christianity, is losing a battle against alternative religions and non-religious belief systems.”
Another indication of spiritual darkness was the reaction of most people to the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales. We do not refer to the sense of shock and sorrow. “There perhaps never was an occasion on which the nation more sincerely or more generally lamented the loss of any of its Princes, or felt more disposed to participate in the sorrows of the Royal Family” – these words were written by Thomas M’Crie after the death and funeral of Princess Charlotte of Wales, in 1817, but they are quite as descriptive of recent public mourning at the death of Princess Diana. We ourselves, like others, were saddened and solemnised by the awful suddenness and the horrifying circumstances of her departure, at an early age, from this world. We felt, and do feel, deep sympathy for the grieving, motherless sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. Our prayer is that they and other mourning members of the Royal Family may experience the comfort which comes from God, “the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3), and that the sore loss of a beloved mother may be blessed to the young Princes so that they would truly seek, know, fear, love and serve the Lord. However, we are bound to say that many things said and done during the days following the death of the Princess showed a dismal lack of spiritual understanding among the people.
It was significant that most inscriptions on floral tributes and in books of condolences spoke not of the dead Princess but to her. Similarly, during the funeral service the Dean of Westminster, when supposedly commending her soul to God, addressed not God but the deceased, saying, “Diana, our companion in faith and sister in Christ, . . .” Likewise, Earl Spencer in his tribute to his departed sister, spoke to her directly. Addressing the dead as if they are yet alive has its roots in the Romish superstition of addressing and praying to the saints, and often indicates a reluctance to accept that the deceased person is gone forever. It is one way of trying to minimise the stark and solemn reality of death and the separation of the soul from the body, and certainly is a clear indication of spiritual ignorance.
The finality of death as far as having further opportunities to be at peace with God are concerned, is something that we are not naturally disposed to accept, but true believers are convinced of it. They know from the unerring Word of God that at the moment of death the soul goes immediately to heaven or hell, to remain there eternally, and that the body returns to the dust from which it came, to remain there until the resurrection of the dead. When Anglican clergymen pray for the souls of the deceased, it is little wonder if many people besides Roman Catholics think that somehow or other there is hope of salvation after they die. At the funeral of the Princess, the Dean said, “We are gathered here to . . . to commend her soul to almighty God.” He also said, “Let us commend our sister Diana to the mercy of God, . .” And the choir sang, “Give rest O Lord to your handmaid, who has fallen asleep.” When death comes it is utterly futile to pray for the person who has died. Praying for the dead betrays the most abysmal spiritual darkness. It is impossible for any change in our spiritual state to occur after we die, for as Ecclesiastes 11:3 reminds us, as the tree falls, so shall it lie. The unchangeableness of that state is shown also in Revelation 22:11, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.”
Yet it seems that it was taken for granted by clergy and people that the soul of the Princess entered heaven. The Dean described her as “one with all the faithful, living and dead”. But what warrant did he have for coming to this conclusion? The great day of judgement alone will reveal without any shadow of doubt who are the righteous servants of God and who are not, for it will be a day when God will not only make up His jewels but also when we shall all clearly “discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not” (Malachi 3:18). Meantime we are to note the insistent teaching of the Scriptures: that only they who have been “born again” are in the kingdom of God in this world, and will be found in the kingdom of God above at last (John 3:3). Christ says, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven,” Matthew 18:3. The Word of God plainly shows us that those who opt for the hollow happiness of this world and live in forgetfulness of God cannot be classed as regenerate, righteous, and godly, whatever good works they may do or however much they may be praised for the charitable work they may engage in.
Our national spiritual darkness was indicated also by the idolising of the Princess in numerous tributes. To show proper civil respect at the death of those of high status is one thing; to speak of them as if they were to be worshipped is deplorable. After the funeral of Princess Charlotte of Wales, M’Crie wrote, “The recent religious service avowedly called for a tribute of respect to the memory of the illustrious personage deceased. And was there not every reason to think that multitudes who engaged in it had no higher or sacred end in view? Amiable as the Princess undoubtedly was, and severe as is the loss sustained by her premature and sudden death, was there no danger of extravagant, and even impious adulation being offered to her memory, in addresses to God, and in addresses to the people in the name of God?” Again, his words are applicable. Princess Diana, at her death, was frequently spoken of in terms that were more than adulatory; they were in fact of quite a religious nature. Some people described her as a “patron saint”, “a light for the world” and an “icon”, while others spoke of gathering for her funeral as a “pilgrimage”.
It was striking that in the reported expressions of grief on the part of the general public, acknowledgement of the God of heaven was conspicuous by its absence. It is true, of course, that the name of God was used frequently during the funeral. But while the occasion was professedly one for worshipping God it had more of the nature of a worldly concert than of the true worship of God which is to be “in spirit and in truth”, and “with reverence and godly fear”. How offensive, to say the least, was the inclusion in the service of a worldly song extolling the Princess, sung by a singer whose immorality is public knowledge. But such is the spiritual darkness that pervades the country that the singer was, as the press put it, “centre stage during the funeral”, and records of the song are selling in unprecedented numbers. Those who think that such worship is acceptable to the Majesty of heaven are under a grave delusion indeed.
The death of Diana, Princess of Wales, has focussed the thoughts of many on topics such as the future of the Royal Family, and the intrusion of the media. The question is, How many have thought, “God is speaking to us as a nation not only by the Scriptures but also by His providence in suddenly taking away the mother of an heir to the throne”? Not only is God saying that we, individually, are to prepare to meet Him, but also that we, nationally, are to return to Him in repentance. May He enlighten us in our darkness, and lead us to give the highest place to Christ who says, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). ☐