Finishing Well to the Glory of God: Strategies from a Christian Physician

by John T. Dunlop

Most people want to finish life well, yet so few take the time necessary to carefully think through what that entails. Some say it means contentment, happiness, and freedom from pain. Many desire to simply maintain their dignity and enjoy their family and loved ones. These are reasonable goals; yet, there is a more profound, uniquely Christian approach to the end of life. John Dunlop, a medical doctor who has practiced for over thirty years and specializes in geriatrics, combines his medical expertise, firsthand experience with patients, and firm commitment to Scripture to propose nine strategies for finishing life well. He shows how with proper physical, emotional, and spiritual preparation, aging and death need not be a fight to the finish but a purposeful resting in the arms of the Savior. Theologically robust and practically relevant, this book will prove to be a sensitive and helpful resource for anyone facing end-of-life issues.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Self Help, Health, Christian Non Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2011

About the author

JOHN DUNLOP, M.D. (Johns Hopkins University, 1973), practices medicine in Zion, IL, and serves as an adjunct professor at Trinity International University. He is board certified in geriatrics, holds a masters degree in bioethics, and is a fellow of the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity.

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would absolutely recommend this for any Christian nearing the end of life or caring for someone who is nearing the end.

[Myra]

A very helpful and practical book full of wisdom about facing the reality of death and the many issues and decisions that accompany it. I appreciate the compassion with which this Christian doctor writes.

[D. Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall very good.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and hopeful. My only knock is that it doesn't address how to cope when the dying are mentally incapacitated.

[Kandice K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully, gently and compassionately written

I cannot say enough good things about this book. I recommend people to read this long before illness. Dr. Dunlop has expertly brought hope, peace and dignity back to the process of dying. As a born again believer of Jesus, I did not fear death--until I faced severe sepsis/sepsis shock. God met me in the emergency room and assured me that my time was not yet up. It was then, that I truly understood the brevity of my life and purposed to live my life with intention, purpose and mission. I bought this book as I was recovering, because I realized that although I was not afraid of death, I was afraid of the dying process. This book, written from a God-honoring perspective, helps individuals with terminal conditions look at all the treatments available and learn how to weigh whether they will benefit the person or prolong suffering.

[Bob Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insights from a Christian Geriatric Physician

A sensitive and helpful look at death and how Christians can still show the glory of God while dying. With many personal anecdotes, Dr Dunlop shares a Christian view of death and dying, with advice for “ending well.” He also discusses ethical implications, from a Biblical viewpoint, when choosing quality of life over quantity of life when the “price’ of that life extension is filled with pain and suffering. I highly recommend this book.

[Laura-Jo Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read, and will probably reread at different points in life. I don’t think most people enjoy talking about dying and how to do so, but this author does such a good job at explaining things from a gospel perspective. Before this book I hadn’t given much thought about how I want to go when it’s my time, but it gave great insight on important decisions and discussions to have with your loved ones.

[En Yi WEI · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book by the good doctor.

IMHO, a must-read for pastors and those who seek to minister to those still in the land of the dying.

Actually, since we are all in the land of the dying, read it!

[Jessica Bang · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Beth Sherwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent help for thinking Biblically about the end of life.

[Elizabeth Edgren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as revelatory as I'd hoped, this book was more basic and a little more "preachy" than I'd expected.

[Ann Mccormick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one that we ought to read and think about, especially as we age and approach death or as we have loved ones near death.

[Joshua Fang · Rating 4 out of 5]

helpful and practical advices on how to finish the last 20 years of life.

[Kathleen Justice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. I plan to purchase a copy for my pastor and for my daughter who works in the medical field. As a mature adult, I gained a lot of knowledge that will help me navigate through the aging process. Highly recommend!

[Shawn Yoder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book with much practical advice from someone with a lot of experience in this area. I got this book through our local library system but I will be purchasing it for myself to keep as a reference.

[Dottie Parish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finishing Well to the Glory of God is a wonderful, beautiful, outstanding book. Dr. Dunlop offers nine strategies for finishing well beginning with #1 Live Well and #2 Let Go Graciously to #8 Switching Gears from Cure to Comfort Care and #9 Rest in Jesus. Every chapter (strategy) is thought provoking and instructive. Biblical teaching runs throughout helping the reader understand the Christian perspective on each subject. Each chapter ends with a beautiful prayer and meditation. Strategy #7 Make Appropriate Use of Technology details the medical choices we face today. In addition appendix 2 offers Examples of Technology. The biblical teaching on God’s love, suffering, life and death defines the heart and soul of the Christian faith and will deepen the walk of every reader who digests these teachings. This is a valuable book to be studied, thought about, discussed, read and reread. Finishing Well is a unique and excellent guide that will help Christians live well and finish well to the glory of God.

[Jennifer Zartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book raises important issues to consider as we grow closer to the end of life than its beginning, or as we care for elderly parents. Dr. Dunlop speaks from wisdom gained by experience as well as his study of scripture. Our culture prefers to avoid thinking of death and dying, but it is critical to face these issues if we want to have closure for ourselves or our families, and if we hope to die at home and in peace rather than in a hospital or nursing home. We won't all have that option, but good preparation and communication can increase our chances of dying well. This book can help with that.

[Nancy Jackabon]

Currently reading it.