Introduction
What, dear reader, is your most valuable possession? The conclusion answers the question for us all. Welcome to the 40th entry in the Topic Section, which I have dubbed Logic — Theology — Deep Stuff.
Wednesday, May 6, celebrated the 26th wedding anniversary of my youngest brother and his wife. The day also observed the 35th birthday of the daughter of our dear friends Jay and Dorothy. I called my brother to wish his wife and him a happy anniversary. (I was honored to conduct their wedding ceremony.) Additionally, I texted birthday wishes to Jay and Dorothy's daughter.
Further, on May 6, I heard a news segment about Ted Turner's passing that day. A few days later, I found his online obituary at Bevis Funeral Home & Crematory: Obituary: Robert Edward “Ted” Turner, III. The funeral home is in Tallahassee, Florida. Born on 11/19/1938, Ted Turner was 87 when he died.
Ted Turner's Legacy
What is the legacy of Ted Turner? Online, I discovered Turner Enterprises, Inc., which “...manages the business interests, land holdings, and investments of the late Ted Turner, including the oversight of two million acres in the U.S. and more than 45,000 bison.”
From the same source, I read Turner Enterprises, Inc.: Ted Turner Legacy. The extensive column includes eight sections starting with his early life. It continues with the start of the Turner Broadcasting System and CNN. The third and fourth sections focus on Turner's acquisition of the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Hawks and on his sailing accomplishments. The next two sections emphasize Turner's philanthropic and conservationist efforts. The final two sections are about Turner's later years and his enduring legacy.
Ted Turner certainly left a global mark. His focus on benevolence and environmental preservation was commendable. What, however, is Ted Turner's spiritual legacy?
I gleaned additional information from Beliefnet: Celebrity Faith Database: Ted Turner: Agnostic and from “Ted Turner Religion: From Fiery Atheist to Reflective Agnostic,” US News 24, by itsvikbro@gmail.com, 5/7/2026. From those sources, I learned that Ted Turner was raised by strict parents under Episcopalian and Presbyterian Church influences. In his youth, Turner claimed to be a Christian, attended church, and even wanted to become a missionary.
In 1958, however, Ted Turner, at 19 or 20, abandoned his faith after his younger sister died from lupus at the age of 17. Her death shattered Turner's faith. Three years later, in 1963, Ted Turner’s father committed suicide when Ted was 24 years old. Through the years, however, Turner softened his antagonism against Christianity. Turning from atheist to agnostic, he admitted the existence of a higher power. He prayed “to whoever is listening.”
In the Context of the Gospel of Mark 8:34-9:1
The parallel passages to the Gospel of Mark, 8:34-9:1, are Matthew, 16:24-28, and Luke, 9:22-27. The pericope is after Peter's affirmation that Jesus is the Messiah and before Jesus' transfiguration. In the passage, Jesus emphasized the cost of Christian discipleship, which requires self-denial, taking up your cross, and following him (verses 34-35).
Jesus stated in verses 36-37, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”
Three remote contexts come to mind. First, in Luke 12:13-21, Jesus spoke the parable of the rich farmer, whose abundant harvest yielded plans to expand his farm and enjoy life. God, however, told him that he would die that night. Who would inherit his earthly wealth? The lesson is that life does not consist of abundant possessions. Instead, it stores up godly wealth.
Further, Mark 10:17-31 records the young rich man's conversation with Jesus. (Parallels are in Matthew 19:16-30 and Luke 18:18-30.) With kneeling sincerity, he asked Jesus what he must do to have eternal life. The young man was faithfully following the Mosaic Ten Commandments. In love, Jesus told the young rich man to store up heavenly treasure by selling his possessions, giving the proceeds to the poor, and following him. In sadness, the man left, valuing his temporary earthly wealth more than heavenly treasure. He could not see beyond the temporal.
Finally, Jesus told the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. The rich man lived in daily luxury, wanting nothing. Lazarus, in contrast, was a diseased and hungry beggar who lay at the rich man's gate. Both men died. Angels carried Lazarus to Abraham's side, where he was comforted. The rich man, in contrast, was in the agonizing and fiery torment of Hades, where he could not even cool his parched tongue with a dip of water. What was the difference? During his life on earth, Lazarus had followed Moses and the Prophets. The rich man had not. Earthly wealth means precious little in the afterlife. In life, the rich man failed to see beyond the temporal.
Conclusion
Your most valuable possession, dear reader, is your soul. Worth far more than temporal treasure, it is everlasting. You see, death separates the soul from the temporal body. The soul transitions spiritually to everlasting life or death. At physical death, our souls exist everlastingly in heavenly bliss or in Hadean torment.
Until I researched for this article, I did not know that Ted Turner, at an early age, claimed to be a Christian and wanted to become a missionary. The tragic and untimely death of his younger sister, however, turned him against Christianity. In life, he could not see beyond the temporal.
I understand how unexpected tragedy could turn a Christian away from God. My maternal grandparents, both born in 1901, lost their second child. Robert Allen Wood (5/14/1939–1/18/1941) left this world at only a year, eight months, and four days old. My mother was eight years old at the time. I know they grieved the loss of my Uncle Bobby, whom I look forward to meeting in heaven. My grandparents and my mother, however, never turned against God or gave up their Christian faith. In fact, they were the greatest examples of Christians, whom I have ever known, and I have known many great Christian examples.
More personally, I almost died, over ten years ago, on Tuesday, 3/29/2016, when an uninsured driver failed to yield to my right of way. God's providence allowed me to live and recover to the extent that I have. Yes, I was angry with God at times during the painful and early stages of my recovery. With repentance and a deeper study of the problem of evil, however, I buttressed my resolve to ask God to continue to use me in his service as he sees fit. I still live for Christ, who died for me (Galatians 2:20).
Later in life, Ted Turner's views softened, and he at least acknowledged the likely existence of an ultimate being. I wish a Christian had been able to bring Ted Turner back to the saving truth in Christ. It would have saved him from everlasting death (cf. James 5:19-20).
Ted Turner did not “gain the whole world.” Did he forfeit his soul? God will judge at the last judgment (Rev. 20:11-21:8). With his wealth and stature, what could have Ted Turner accomplished for Christ as a Christian missionary and evangelist? The world will never know.
Dear reader, if you walk with Christ, may God's grace sustain you on your journey heavenward! Dear reader, if you are not walking the heavenward journey with Christ, please reach out to me if you wish by emailing me using the Contact Form on the right side of this website. I am merely a former hungry beggar who found the Bread of Life. I greatly desire to share that Bread with you!
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