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Dying Well
We cannot choreograph our own death, but we can die well.
This is a book for those who are facing death. It is also for their relatives, friends and carers.
John Wyatt looks at recent trends in dying. He examines the 'art of dying', a Christian tradition from the past. We see opportunities for dying well and faithfully, real-world examples of personal growth and instances of reconciliation and personal healing in relationships. On the other hand, there are also challenges to the fears and temptations that dying can bring.
We learn from Jesus' example as we focus on his words from the cross. The wonderful news is that we can look forward to 'a sure and steadfast hope', the amazing hope of resurrection and its implications for our lives today.
This is a book for those who are facing death. It is also for their relatives, friends and carers.
John Wyatt looks at recent trends in dying. He examines the 'art of dying', a Christian tradition from the past. We see opportunities for dying well and faithfully, real-world examples of personal growth and instances of reconciliation and personal healing in relationships. On the other hand, there are also challenges to the fears and temptations that dying can bring.
We learn from Jesus' example as we focus on his words from the cross. The wonderful news is that we can look forward to 'a sure and steadfast hope', the amazing hope of resurrection and its implications for our lives today.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2018
16 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 5, 2018
Dying for a future
This is the tenth book on death and dying that I have read in as many months. It is far and away the best because it is the only one that offers any hope to the reader. Intensely practical and honest, this book looks frankly and openly at the before and after of dying. It will be invaluable to the person who has received diagnosis of a terminal illness as to the stages through which they will pass during the weeks and months ahead. And it also offers answers to the 'what next' questions that inevitably arise. A truly invaluable resource for the busy pastor as well as for those who will walk alongside the dying person.
This is the tenth book on death and dying that I have read in as many months. It is far and away the best because it is the only one that offers any hope to the reader. Intensely practical and honest, this book looks frankly and openly at the before and after of dying. It will be invaluable to the person who has received diagnosis of a terminal illness as to the stages through which they will pass during the weeks and months ahead. And it also offers answers to the 'what next' questions that inevitably arise. A truly invaluable resource for the busy pastor as well as for those who will walk alongside the dying person.
November 6, 2019
This book deals with the topic of dying in a positive, constructive way. It covers areas that ought to be broached in conversation and has a pro-forma for how a person who is known to be dying may express a statement of wishes and values as well as advice for nominating a health and welfare lasting power of attorney and making advanced care decisions. Though this book could be used by anyone, (preparing to die applies to us all, though some get more chance to preempt death than others), there is specific advice for a Christian and their family and some prayer guides. The book is informative and gives good practical advice. It is also reassuring with inspiring examples of how people have dealt well with death when taking their turn to fall asleep and wake to the everlasting day has approached.
July 23, 2021
A very good book about ars moriendi from a Christian perspective
Clear writing, truth is spoken in a concise and considerate manner. It comprises a multitude of aspects of dying, from medical care, to fears, to learning from Christ's death.
"In response to these fears, it has struck me that, in his grace and compassion, our heavenly Father allows us to practise what it is like to die faithfully, to die as a believer and follower of Christ, every single night of our lives. You know precisely what it feels like to die in Christ: it is like falling asleep"
"To push the analogy a little further, the person who falls asleep in Christ is not only giving way to sleep after a long, gruelling and exhausting day, falling asleep in total safety and security, but falling asleep on the first night of the holidays, with all the anticipation, excitement and joy of waking up in the morning"
Clear writing, truth is spoken in a concise and considerate manner. It comprises a multitude of aspects of dying, from medical care, to fears, to learning from Christ's death.
"In response to these fears, it has struck me that, in his grace and compassion, our heavenly Father allows us to practise what it is like to die faithfully, to die as a believer and follower of Christ, every single night of our lives. You know precisely what it feels like to die in Christ: it is like falling asleep"
"To push the analogy a little further, the person who falls asleep in Christ is not only giving way to sleep after a long, gruelling and exhausting day, falling asleep in total safety and security, but falling asleep on the first night of the holidays, with all the anticipation, excitement and joy of waking up in the morning"
October 25, 2021
Very helpful
Decided to read this as I'm a Christian believer aged 71. John Wyatt has given me lots of useful information and ideas about how to prepare for the end of life on this earth. I especially liked his drawing attention to the 9 Scripture references to "falling asleep in Jesus". I didn't realise there were so many and that the early Christians focused on this understanding of death.
Decided to read this as I'm a Christian believer aged 71. John Wyatt has given me lots of useful information and ideas about how to prepare for the end of life on this earth. I especially liked his drawing attention to the 9 Scripture references to "falling asleep in Jesus". I didn't realise there were so many and that the early Christians focused on this understanding of death.
March 19, 2025
Thought provoking book about a hard subject. Unfortunately, it’s a subject all of us will eventually face, either for ourselves or a loved one, and Dr. Wyatt does a great job of making you think about how to handle death - and how not to handle it as well -as a Christ follower.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
December 9, 2019
Very useful and practical book. It is helpful in its understanding of Christian theology regarding death and the resurrection, and it is a helpful resource for those who are wanting to plan appropriately themselves or with a loved one.
April 30, 2021
This is my second time to read this. The first time I read it with a friend who's a nurse, kind of with a professional eye. This time was more personal and I found it very helpful. In particular it helped inform my prayers for a friend. It's a very practical book and one I would highly recommend.
November 10, 2018
A valuable resource for both those close to death and those caring for someone close to death. Written from a Christian perspective for a Christian audience.
September 17, 2022
A must read for everyone to embrace our mortality.
January 2, 2024
Increasingly hidden from public view, medicalised and privatised, death and the process of dying have been progressively removed from ordinary life. The health professions and the church have colluded with this. John Wyatt argues that this has been to our detriment, as dying can be a time of growth, healing, and reconciliation. In marginalising it we have lost so much.
Digging back into Scripture, to the ancient church tradition of ars moriendi, and drawing from his own clinical experience, John’s book is a much-needed antidote to the modern marginalisation of this universal human experience. In actively engaging with impending death, we can deepen our faith, help others come to terms with our departure, and find fresh spiritual depth in our living.
Full of hope, practical advice, scriptural depth and personal testimony, 'Dying Well' is going to be indispensable to pastors, chaplains, medics, nurses, and others involved in the care of the dying.
Above all, it is something that every Christian needs to read and engage with as we look to our own future hope in Christ and come to terms with our own mortality.
Digging back into Scripture, to the ancient church tradition of ars moriendi, and drawing from his own clinical experience, John’s book is a much-needed antidote to the modern marginalisation of this universal human experience. In actively engaging with impending death, we can deepen our faith, help others come to terms with our departure, and find fresh spiritual depth in our living.
Full of hope, practical advice, scriptural depth and personal testimony, 'Dying Well' is going to be indispensable to pastors, chaplains, medics, nurses, and others involved in the care of the dying.
Above all, it is something that every Christian needs to read and engage with as we look to our own future hope in Christ and come to terms with our own mortality.
May 23, 2018
This book was very well written, I have always been afraid of dying and reading this book has brought things into the open and allayed some of those fears. From human emotion to the Bible, this book helped me to understand dying in a way nothing else ever has.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews