Dying and Death: Getting Rightly Prepared for the Inevitable

by Joel R. Beeke, Christopher W. Bogosh

Can any good come from thinking about death? Our natural tendency is to answer that question no! But what if our meditation on death was informed by a theological understanding of death, a recognition of the comfort Jesus’s death affords Christians, and ethical guidance for dealing with death in these complicated days of modern medical developments? Rather than being morbidly unhelpful, authors Joel R. Beeke and Christopher W. Bogosh contend that meditating on dying and death can be profitable, even necessary, for us. Are you prepared to say that your death will be “gain” (Phil. 1:21)?

Genres: Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Death, Audiobook, Counselling, Christian Living

120 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2018

About the author

Joel R. Beeke (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is the chancellor and professor of homiletics and systematic theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has served as a pastor since 1978 and currently ministers at the Heritage Reformed Congregation of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the editor of the Puritan Reformed Journal and The Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth magazine, the board chairman of Reformation Heritage Books, the president of Inheritance Publishers, and the vice president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society.

Beeke has written and coauthored 120 books, edited 120 books, and contributed 2,500 articles to Reformed books, journals, periodicals, and encyclopedias. He frequently lectures at seminaries and speaks at Reformed conferences around the world. The Lord has blessed him and his wife Mary with three children and eleven grandchildren.

Reviews

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

“No man would find it difficult [to die] who died every day.” Charles Spurgeon

“If you die wrong the first time you cannot come back to die better a second time.” Robert Murray M’Cheyne

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

“He who does not prepare for death is more than an ordinary fool. He is a madman.” Charles Spurgeon

“Seek grace to love, therefore, as one prepared to die temporally, and to die as one prepared to live eternally.” Joel R. Beeke

“Lord, keep me from a sinful and too eager desire after death. I desire not to be impatient. I wish quietly to wait till my blessed change comes.” George Whitefield

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone being treated for Stage IV Cancer & knowing chemotherapy isn't always successful this book was very comforting & encouraging.

Living knowing one is dying is definitely helpful in keeping an eternal perspective on life.

The last chapter summarized our state as believers very well, the day of our death is when we're finally free from the sorrow of sin & death.

[Danieltituscom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps the greatest thing about this book is that it exists. Perhaps the greatest benefit the reader will receive is spending the time reading and thinking about death biblically. It is worth the read.

[Kevin Prewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, readable work. Very encouraging. Yet, a plea to prepare for the inevitable.

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so comforting and enlightening. I enjoyed it thoroughly!

[Pig Rieke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I only listened to this one on Hoopla.

In this combined work, Beeke and Bogosh write to educate their readers on dying and death from a biological and theological viewpoint. The result is a book that made this listener look forward to the “everlasting rest of the saints” with their Redeemer as well as highlight the necessity of practically preparing others for our death.

While all of the content is excellent, the choice of said content was confusing at times. In sum, it seems that multiple companion works in a series would be more helpful i which more discussion could be given to the various topics.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a joint offer by two gents who know death well. A pastor who has seen his congregation enter life and enter death, and a nurse who has cared for patients in their last moments. What this means is that you get a balanced view of death in this book. From Bogosh, we get a rundown of what happens before death, what goes on during end of life or palliative care, how to think about death from a medical perspective, and how to balance grief and self-control. From Beeke, we get plain scriptural truths about death from the example of Christ at Gethsemane and Golgotha, as well as the puritans who knew suffering and melancholy like few others.

[Annelise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for Christians. We can be so focused on the here and now that we spend little time thinking about what is most important — eternity.

I found Christopher Bogosh’s information on transplants to be really eye opening. I also really appreciated his views on how much effort we put into staying alive when faced with a disease or illness, that we will ravage our bodies with treatments to avoid death. We as Christians have so much hope — yet are terrified of death and avoid it at all costs. This book really helps you think through those issues.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stirring book, flaming the embers of love to Christ that will prepare a Christian for death. Helpful medical details about death brought into a biblical perspective, such as the idea of brain death and its incompatibility with a pro life position. The devotional parts following Christ through Gethsemane to the cross are superb. I want several copies to give away.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good and helpful Christian resource on approaching and facing death, as well as the much needed consideration and anticipation of it. I highly recommend taking the time to read this short book, even several times throughout your lifetime. It also could be a useful tool and gift to share with others, either through ministering to them by means of the content, or gifting them the book itself to read and grow as they consider death and the journey of dying.

[Michael Burchfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and accessible primer on death and dying from a Christian perspective. I found this book very helpful both pastorally and practically. It can be used to aid people in preparing for the final journey out of this life and into the next; and can even be used for evangelism, since the gospel is communicated clearly in more than one place in the book.

[Adam Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some helpful and comforting reflections on approaching death from a Christian perspective, including a discussion of end-of-life care. I would have appreciated more focus on the practical side of preparing for death, though.

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wholesome. A right corrective for those who love this life too dearly.

[Emily K · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible book. This book gave me a lot to think about but also was so encouraging.

[Ty Brunet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a refreshing book to help the reader consider death and dying. It offers a gospel-centered perspective with helpful medically professional information.

[Rocky Woolery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, concise, and very helpful when considering death and dying from a Christian perspective.