The Age of Dementia

pilgram · #1 04-26-2014, 12:38 PM

With the increase of dementia in society more and more families are being impacted every day. I recently lost a grandparent to this tragic disease. I haven't shared my inner thought life question about their eternal destination with anyone until now. Just wondering if anyone else has personally been affected by this in their own family and if anyone has done a bible study on what God says about someone that passes away when they don't even have their right mind. If they were a sinner but didn't have their right mind when they passed would God allow them into heaven? Also someone that has lived for the Lord but loses their right mind where would they end up say if they sinned after they got dementia?
These questions trouble me the more the more I think on them considering how much dementia is increasing across the world. Feel free to add your thoughts about this important topic that doesn't seem to get much attention. Everyone I know just wants to sweep it under the rug. After all dementia is uncomfortable for all concerned since the person who has it isn't that person anymore to all the people that were connected to them....

pilgram · #2 04-27-2014, 08:43 AM

Hopefully someone knows the answers to these questions.

Sasha · #3 04-27-2014, 11:46 AM

Dementia is just a disease of the brain. It's no different than someone dying of heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, diabetes, or any other disease. The difference is that any brain disease will affect the personality of the person because that's where our personality is controlled.

As for the actions taken by people who suffer from brain diseases, that is for God to decide. He knows all and understands.

I once took care of a UPC pastor who had Alzheimer's. In the end stages, he was physically abusive to his wife and would call her the filthiest names I've ever heard. In his right mind, he would never have done those things. I believe God rewarded him for what he did while in his right mind, as I believe He should.

pilgram · #4 04-27-2014, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sasha

Dementia is just a disease of the brain. It's no different than someone dying of heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, diabetes, or any other disease. The difference is that any brain disease will affect the personality of the person because that's where our personality is controlled.

As for the actions taken by people who suffer from brain diseases, that is for God to decide. He knows all and understands.

I once took care of a UPC pastor who had Alzheimer's. In the end stages, he was physically abusive to his wife and would call her the filthiest names I've ever heard. In his right mind, he would never have done those things. I believe God rewarded him for what he did while in his right mind, as I believe He should.

No offense, as I said in the opening post I'm looking for those that have found the answers to my questions in scripture not people's personal beliefs. Thanks for sharing and caring for that Pastor though.

Sparrow · #5 04-27-2014, 01:47 PM

Pilgrim, I am sorry for your loss. My family is currently dealing with this same disease. My FIL was diagnosed years ago with schizophrenia and then about 2 years ago he was diagnosed with dementia as well. Like you, I have way more questions than answers. A couple of things I have wondered is if accountability plays in here seeing as how this disease robs the family member of sane reasoning. Another question I have concerns Romans 1:20. Are mentally ill people also w/out excuse? As I said, lots of questions but no answers.

pilgram · #6 04-30-2014, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrow

Pilgrim, I am sorry for your loss. My family is currently dealing with this same disease. My FIL was diagnosed years ago with schizophrenia and then about 2 years ago he was diagnosed with dementia as well. Like you, I have way more questions than answers. A couple of things I have wondered is if accountability plays in here seeing as how this disease robs the family member of sane reasoning. Another question I have concerns Romans 1:20. Are mentally ill people also w/out excuse? As I said, lots of questions but no answers.

Appreciate your condolences Sparrow. Sorry to hear about your FIL. I've heard/read that some believe all mental illness is from the enemy. I know that my Grandmother was addicted to TV and we know TV is insidious for putting our minds into a alpha state where what is broadcast is put into our subconscious mind. Serious stuff that most don't consider. Like you I have more questions than answers but I am right now praying about it and asking God for understanding about this topic.

Sasha · #7 04-27-2014, 04:11 PM

There is a lot we just don't know. We have to trust that God is a just God and knows all and sees all.

CC1 · #8 04-27-2014, 04:35 PM

I have a relative who was a UPC pastor / minister and was diagnosed with early onset dementia in his late 50's a few years ago. One of the saddest things I have ever witnessed. While so far nothing has happened like Sasha described experiencing I know at some point that is very possible as I know of other situations where a godly person in their right mind becomes something very different.

I have to believe that God is a just God and he knows the heart and the mind when it ws whole of these folks suffering from this terrible disease. I believe they will be taken care of by God but I can't specifically point you to a scripture. I just take the word of God in its totality and believe what it teaches us about God gives us confidence he will be just with them and honor their status with God before they were not in their right mind.

KeptByTheWord · #9 04-27-2014, 09:57 PM

Have you ever paid attention to the things that run through your mind? Wild, crazy things sometimes... The things that run through our minds sometimes would be things we would never want anyone else to know we are thinking....

We have a will that God has given us that allows us to ignore the things that run through our minds. Our will is the key that allows us to filter out the thoughts we think, whether they are thoughts to keep and dwell on, or those to boot to the curb, so to speak.

With dementia it is a disease of the brain, where the will has been separated from the mind, and basically the thought life is unfettered, loose, and without anything to rein it in. Without being in your right mind, or having your will to corral the wild thoughts that run through your mind, then those who suffer from dementia, are simply speaking what they are thinking, without the will to delineate good from bad thoughts etc.

With that understanding, imagine your mind unfettered without your will to reign it in. Would you like everyone to know the thoughts that run through your mind unchecked? Imagine that is the case with someone suffering from dementia, and understand that the difference between them, and you, is that they have lost their ability for the will to function as it should. This understanding should bring clarity to the situation, and hopefully sympathy that we should have with those who suffer from dementia.

Pertaining to your question, whether it is a salvational issue.... we have a God-given will that is given to us to make choices in life. When that will becomes separated from the mind, as in the case with dementia, the Lord would not hold anyone responsible for the condition of the mind without the will in its rightful place.

pilgram · #10 04-30-2014, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Have you ever paid attention to the things that run through your mind? Wild, crazy things sometimes... The things that run through our minds sometimes would be things we would never want anyone else to know we are thinking....

We have a will that God has given us that allows us to ignore the things that run through our minds. Our will is the key that allows us to filter out the thoughts we think, whether they are thoughts to keep and dwell on, or those to boot to the curb, so to speak.

With dementia it is a disease of the brain, where the will has been separated from the mind, and basically the thought life is unfettered, loose, and without anything to rein it in. Without being in your right mind, or having your will to corral the wild thoughts that run through your mind, then those who suffer from dementia, are simply speaking what they are thinking, without the will to delineate good from bad thoughts etc.

With that understanding, imagine your mind unfettered without your will to reign it in. Would you like everyone to know the thoughts that run through your mind unchecked? Imagine that is the case with someone suffering from dementia, and understand that the difference between them, and you, is that they have lost their ability for the will to function as it should. This understanding should bring clarity to the situation, and hopefully sympathy that we should have with those who suffer from dementia.

Pertaining to your question, whether it is a salvational issue.... we have a God-given will that is given to us to make choices in life. When that will becomes separated from the mind, as in the case with dementia, the Lord would not hold anyone responsible for the condition of the mind without the will in its rightful place.

Hopefully that last sentence is the case bro.