Immortal: How the Fear of Death Drives Us and What We Can Do About It

by Clay Jones

Is There Life After Death?

For many, death is terrifying. We try to live as long as possible while hoping that science will soon find a way to allow us to live, if not forever, then at least a very long time.

Whether we deny our mortality though literal or symbolic immortality or try to turn death into something benign, our attempts fail us. But what if the real solution is not in denying death’s reality, but in acknowledging it while enjoying a hope for a wonderful forever?

Clay Jones, a professor of Christian apologetics, explores the ways people face death and how these “immortality projects” are unsuccessful, even destructive. Along the way, he points to the hope of the only true immortality available to all—the truth that God already offers a path to our hearts’ deepest longing: glorious resurrection to eternal life.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, Death

272 pages, Paperback

Published April 28, 2020

About the author

Librarian Note: This profile contains more than one author. Those listed below have multiple books listed on GoodReads.

Clay Jones (2 spaces): political cartoonist
Clay Jones (3 spaces): gardening

Reviews

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is timely in terms of what's going on in the world at the time of publication (pandemic) and personally, as my husband and I care for parents with dementia. Death stinks and we'd all like to avoid it if we could.

The majority of the book covers various ways people try to avoid death. The wealthier people have come up with some wild schemes! It would be laughable if it weren't so sad. And Jones bluntly points out the futility of all such immortality projects. The universe will eventually blink out of existence; we will be forgotten, and all our human efforts will be worthless.

Embedded in each chapter is the Christian view. The contrast is effective. The Christian hope of a glorious eternity spent in the presence of God so far outstrips any other view of death or eternity, it seems there would be no contest for believers. But Jones is also clear about what this faith demands of us: everything.

So, we must have a robust vision of a glorious eternity with God to believe giving up other things our minds and bodies want is worth the tradeoff. The final two chapters focus on the disciplines and teaching that will help Christians develop that robust vision.

This book was time well spent. Thank you, Clay Jones.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this book and immediately wanted to know what others thought about the fear of dying. We have recently had several deaths of people that are close to us, so this was perfect timing. I find it interesting to read about ways that people are trying to make these "immortality projects" work for them to where they can live longer. I have not heard about these and found it interesting that people think they can prolong their life with these projects.
My belief is the same as Clay Jones, the only way to face death is to know that there is only one way to get to heaven and that is through God's son, Jesus. No one else can save you. Look at the Bible and how long it's truth's have held out. Amazing that the Bible was written years and years ago and it's truth is still evident even today. Jesus dies on the cross for all of us to have everlasting life and that is our one and true way to face the fear of death.
I appreciate Clay Jones and his approach to these theories/projects that are being tried. It definitely gave me some enlightenment.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an advanced copy of this book.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been one of the most impactful books I've ever read for both my faith and my existential dread of death. I have been afraid of death since elementary school. I was desperately obsessed with vampires because of this fear, because they did not die. I wish this book was around in college when I had my last existential crisis. I think everyone should read this book, Christian or not. I think the first several chapters will make you think hard about how you live your life and why. It challenges the idea of the legacy, living on through children, accomplishing something, being remembered, being famous, and also the flip-side of living a few more years by healthy living or freezing your brain or uploading it to "live forever". Basically, everyone dies, and most people don't like the idea of death, so this book is applicable to just about everyone. Even if you object to the conclusions of the author, it will make you think. Highly recommended!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone wants to live forever, and everyone is trying to do so. However, many people either do not admit that this is what they want or realize that this what they are trying to accomplish in what Dr. Jones calls “immortality projects.” While many of us may automatically think of cryogenics or the pursuit to upload consciousness into a machine as “an immorality project,” Dr. Jones effectively argues that such things as: excessive dedication to healthy, social media, mindful-living, the desire to “make a difference,” or even the desire to be desirable are also attempts to be immortal—either physically or idealistically. Despite all of these attempts to transcend death, none of them are successful. But there is one that is: Christianity. Jones argues and proves that not only is Christianity the only successful way to transcend death, but unlike any other option, it is backed by facts.
In exposing the ridiculous lengths and wishful- thinking that non-Christians entertain to either prevent or ignore their impending death, Jones proves that is it not Christianity which has put hope in a superstition but rather the world. He does this by showing the failing of current science to preserve human through cryogenics, the impossibility of uploading consciousness, the temporality of investing in a legacy, and the futility of numbing yourself by either drugs or “living in the moment.” All of these immortality projects are vested in hopeful delusions against proven reality—none of us gets out of this alive. Christianity however, and its message of eternal salvation is rooted in the verifiable facts of the Resurrection. In an effect tactic, Jones presents the facts of the Resurrection after survey all of the fantastical “immortality projects.” This packs a strong punch as the truth of Christianity weighs on the reader in the face of human fallacy. Jones, then persuasively stresses that not only is Christian salvation the only option with facts behind it, but the eternity that awaits the Christian outshines anything this world has to offer. This is good news because even if humanity finds a way to live forever, the universe is in countdown.

[BlueFalkon95 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review run date was set for 28 April 2020 for Netgalley, unfortunately life stood at a standstill as I finished the final semester and three subjects of my studies. On 28 March 2021 I was set to write the review and my health became an emotional roller coaster so here I am today 03 October 2021 going to write my review will be post on my blog, Facebook blog, Amazon.com.au, goodreads, kobo, googlebooks and iBooks.

To some death might be terrifying and others might question if there’s life after death. This book is ideal for Christians and non-Christian or those just seeking answers to questions that might be unanswered or unknown. The book helps readers searching for clues or ideas regarding the unknown answers to the question of life after death. The book sets a description of terms and the studies around life after death.

My WordPress blog is http://bluefalkon95adorationofallgenr... My Facebook reader blog page link, is https://www.facebook.com/BlueFalkon95...
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harvest House Publishing via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.
#Immortal #NetGalley

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a trip the author took me on!

It started out playful and silly- downloading our consciousness to a hard drive, freezing our bodies for future reanimation, then it got progressively serious and landed on positively depressing.

Thinking about death is no fun.

But, between it all was little drops of encouragement. The Christian has a different view of death. This book was written for the Christian, and while I read a review that said it is for everyone, I’m not convinced. The non-Christian will probably be distracted and irritated with Jones’ commentary and Bible quoting.

The whole time I was reading this, a J. Warner Wallace blog post was floating around in the back of my brain:

https://coldcasechristianity.com/writ...

All in all, very entertaining for me. I have never engaged in what Christianity says about the afterlife other than the final destinations of heaven and hell. The book finishes by describing what God does for the faithful at the end of their earthly lives: resurrected, perfected, resplendent and renowned. Interesting.

[Zak Schmoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's face it. There is a lot of death in the world. Whether we are talking about violence or the virus, you really cannot watch five minutes of the news without being faced with someone's mortality. That makes you think about your mortality, and a lot of people are incredibly uncomfortable with that topic.

Clay Jones has written this book to encourage you as a Christian. This world is not all there is. We don't need to get wrapped up in some type of secular immortality project. We have a real hope in the assurance of our salvation through Jesus Christ.

If you are someone who might be overwhelmed with all of the darkness around us, I would recommend this work. It will remind you of the many dead ends that tempt us to find our own immortality and the importance of anchoring our true hope in the only place it should be.

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

The study of afterlife surely interesting. Its because we don't really know how afterlife works, and people afraid of uncertainty. In this book, the author give us many things people did to pursue immortality, either in literally form or symbolic form.
As expected from an apologist and philosophy professor, the author explained many ways people try to pursue it. But, The author also argue that all of them was vanity. People would never succeed, except you found The Way. The Way whom already conquered death and give us many snippet in the Bible about afterlife.

[Keith Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for all living humans to know

Very readable, extensively footnoted. Given the high probability of our ultimate death, it is more than comforting to know that the God of the universe has better plans for us than to remain dust in a box. It is sad that so many bright people would choose to deny his plan to try their own.

[Blake Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent read about the ways that people face death and try to overcome it. The last part of the book points to the hope given in the Bible. The author goes into great detail to explain different ways that people try to live forever.

[Tim Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book opened my eyes to a couple different ways people can view death. Chapter 3 made the biggest impact on me. That is where Jones discusses the different ways people try to obtain immorality. Things like naming buildings, having children, making an impact on the world, etc.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the truths of this book particularly meaningful at this stage of life (retired, feeling the effects of aging, perceived lack of significance,etc). Thank you for the encouragement that these truths brought to my soul.

[Nicole Bannister · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Enjoyed everything about this book there was nothing I didn't like about the book. I Would recommend this book to anyone. I would gladly reread it again.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Jones has written a very timely book. In it he examines the fear of death that drives us and the way—literal and symbolic—that we try to stave off our mortality.

[thomas schell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of human response

The book covered a lot with regards to our existence. To define the human condition can be difficult and faith is always needed and wanted.

[Lee L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good writer. Easy to understand and Biblically-noted discussion on Heaven & Death.