Theology, Death and Dying

by Ray S. Anderson

Publisher:

Wipf and Stock

, 2012

Overview

How do we make sense of death—in theology, in philosophy, in experience? How do religions other than Christianity deal with death and with dying? In the now predominantly secular societies of the West, what are we to make of the theologies of death developed by writers such as Becker, Hick, Thielicke, and Macquarrie?

Ray Anderson tackles his subject with clarity and without sentimentality. He discusses first the treatment—and indeed, the denial—of death by contemporary Western society, and its place in other religious traditions. Going on to discuss the origins of a Christian theology of death, he examines the legacy of Judaism and seeks to lay the foundations for a Christian anthropology in the unity of the body and soul. Death, he argues, is alien to God’s determination of our personhood. Outlining a classic Christian understanding of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, he explores the implications of the Passion for our own mortality.

Even if the sting of death has been removed, the experience of dying and bereavement remains. Ray Anderson considers pastoral approaches to dying in the light of his observations and arguments and makes his case for a reintegration of the experience of dying into our communities.

Key Features

• Examines the concepts of death and dying across cultures and religions
• Discusses pastoral Christian looks at dealing with death

Contents

• The Question of Death and the Christian Answer
• Death and the Contemporary Mind
• Towards a Theology of Human Death
• Divine Judgement and Life After Death?
• Christ’s Victory Over Death
• Christian Hope and Life Beyond Death
• Christian Perspectives on Death and Dying
• The Human Ecology of Death and Dying

Top Highlights

“Death is not a limiting concept which gives meaning to life; rather, the meaning of death must be found in the meaning of the death of Jesus Christ.” (Page 11)

“Christian theology, therefore, is theological reflection upon the meaning of God’s action in Jesus Christ.” (Page 5)

“Death itself cannot provide us with the answer to death, for the dead and death are in the same category. No one who questions death has experienced it, because it lies beyond experience. And no one who has experienced death can be questioned about it!” (Page 3)

“‛Death when one does not think about it is more bearable than the thought of death when one is not in danger.’^{27” (Page 13)}

“It is not death we are to fear, but God who is the Lord of death even as He is the Lord of life.” (Page 42)

Product Details

• Title: Theology, Death and Dying
• Author: Ray S. Anderson
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Print Publication Date: 2012
• Logos Release Date: 2016
• Pages: 178
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Death › Religious aspects--Christianity
• ISBNs: 9781620322116, 1620322110
• Resource ID: LLS:OLOGYDEATHDYING
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T02:02:38Z

About Ray S. Anderson

Ray S. Anderson (Ph.D., University of Edinburgh) is senior professor of theology and ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, where he has taught since 1976. He is also a contributing editor to Journal of Psychology and Theology. He has written many books, including An Emergent Theology for Emerging Churches (2006), Judas and Jesus: Amazing Grace for the Wounded Soul (2004), The Soul of God: A Theological Memoir (2004), Spiritual Caregiving as Secular Sacrament: A Practical Theology for Professional Caregivers (2003), Dancing with Wolves While Feeding the Sheep (2002), The New Age of Soul: Spiritual Wisdom for a New Millennium (2001), Living the Spiritually Balanced Life (1998) and The Soul of Ministry: Forming Leaders for God's People (1997). Anderson's articles and book reviews have been published in a wide array of scholarly and popular periodicals.