This book is written by a retired professor of medicine. In it he considers the modern process of dying and its implications for Christians. Today, most people in the West die away from their homes and under the care of professionals, which is a huge change from previous generations. Although death is an enemy, there are spiritual benefits in preparing for it and the author provides nine, including increased dependence on God, healing of relationships and anticipation of meeting with Jesus. At the same time, there are possible spiritual dangers to avoid such as increase in doubt and loss of hope and the author provides helpful advice in connection to those negative experiences.

Death is both common and inevitable, yet there is the opportunity for Christians to prepare for it and make it an occasion of appreciating God’s presence, of engaging in witness to his grace, and of being a time of comfort for family and friends. This book would be of great usefulness for pastors and others as they interact with the dying and the bereaved. It is also a suitable book for all Christians to read because it provides clear advice for preparing for the one certain event in their lives and which gives to them the opportunity of glorifying God as they journey to meet him.

Malcolm Maclean, Greyfriars Free Church, Inverness