Final answer:
Christians die because, according to Christian theology, death is a part of the human condition due to original sin and mortality. Christian scripture and tradition offer various perspectives on death, ranging from divine punishment to redemptive suffering, while also providing comfort through the hope of eternal life and the support of a faith community.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of why Christians die, despite their faith, has theological and existential dimensions. According to Christian belief, death is a part of the human condition resulting from original sin and a natural consequence of being mortal. In various scripture passages such as JE 16:4, EZ 6:12-13, and others, death is depicted as a result of divine wrath or as a consequence of human actions. Nevertheless, the Christian narrative also includes a message of hope through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who died a grievous but redemptive death, empathizing with human suffering. This narrative has been particularly powerful throughout history, as seen in devotional practices and art, such as the Röttgen Pietà, which emphasized Christ's humanity and suffering.
Moreover, the concept of martyrdom, as depicted by stories like the forty Roman soldiers who died for their faith, confers a spiritual significance to the death of Christians, as martyrs are believed to be awarded crowns of martyrdom. History also shows that during times of great suffering, like the Black Death, Christians sought new forms of spirituality to find solace and meaning in their mortality. Furthermore, research has indicated that people with religious or spiritual beliefs may also cope better with the concept of death due to the comforting prospect of an afterlife and the communal support offered by religious associations.
It is clear that mortality and the phenomenon of death transcend the boundaries of religious identity, affecting Christians and non-Christians alike. In Christian theology, death is not the ultimate end but a transition to an eternal life, a belief that provides a sustaining hope to many believers.