Death, Where Is Your Sting: Dying and Death Examined

Anglican clergyman Reiss (Sceptical Christianity) contemplates what happens (or doesn’t) after death in this middling survey of religious teachings about the afterlife. Reiss begins with a selective summary of views of the afterlife found in world religions (primarily Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism) and ancient Greek philosophy. Christianity’s robust theology concerning life after death is then unpacked as Reiss describes thoughts on the afterlife from such formative thinkers as Origen of Alexandria, John Calvin, Martin Luther, and René Descartes before dipping at greater length into theories about Jesus’s resurrection and how it became the linchpin of Christian belief: “what is most important about belief in the resurrection now [is that] Jesus’s life and death remain a motivating factor and example in the way countless people throughout the world live their lives.” Unfortunately, Reiss brings little new to the discussion, and he rarely goes deeper than surface level. Turning away from historical analysis, the book’s most insightful chapter applies ideas about dying to ethical topics of assisted dying and euthanasia, urging readers to plan in advance to ensure one’s wishes for end-of-life care are clear. This perfunctory work will only benefit those looking for a basic introduction to Christian thought on the afterlife. (Aug.)