Edith Schaeffer remembered for her resistance to death

Edith Rachel Merritt Seville Schaeffer was buried in Rochester, Minn., yesterday next to her husband, Francis Schaeffer. She had died in her sleep in Switzerland at age 98 on March 30, the day before Easter.

Her son-in-law, Udo Middelmann, led the graveside service, and earlier preached at a service at First Covenant Church of St. Paul, Minn. Middelmann emphasized Edith Schaeffer’s spontaneity, determination, love for people, kindnesses to thousands, and resistance to death, that last great enemy and horror for human beings created in the image of God.

Her resistance to death, Middelmann said, was neither futile nor only a matter of feelings: It was rooted in her belief in the truth of God revealed in the Bible. Because Christianity is true, we can and should wage long struggles against death, which God hates.

Middelmann said we should look forward to that great time when all creation will be renewed and Christians will be reunited with the bodies committed to the earth. Life is not futile because it is to be lived in the presence of the God Who loves His people and sent His Son to live among us and offer Himself for us.