As doctors and nurses, we are often involved with people who are facing death and with their relatives. As Christians, we have a certainty about resurrection and life everlasting. Or is ours the Platonic view of the immortality of the soul, which we take to be Christian teaching? And does it matter?
Geoff Walters says it matters very much. This is a well-written and readable book which has the academic support of originating as a successful PhD thesis. Rev Dr Walters starts his exploration from the standpoint of a minister listening to bereaved people. Having shown the need for a deeper understanding he searches the Scriptures and the writings of the Church Fathers to explore the concepts of resurrection and immortality. He applies his findings to the support of bereaved people, and to our own understanding of grief and our practice in the face of bereavement.
What did Paul mean when he wrote 'We do not want you to grieve like the rest of men who have no hope'? and Jesus, when he said 'I am the resurrection and the life'? Is grief consistent with our faith or are we letting the side down? Should the funeral service be a triumph, or is it alright to be real? And is it true that 'Death is nothing at all . . . I have just gone into the next room . . .'?
These questions are addressed by pastor and theologian and are relevant to the practice of most of us. The book is a good read, but it also encourages reality and deepens faith.
The study indirectly changed the life of the book's author, for Geoff Walters has recently moved from a pastoral ministry in a large town-centre church to be the senior chaplain of the Pilgrims' Hospices.
Reviewed by
Anthony Smith
(Medical Director, Pilgrims' Hospices of E Kent)