In our recent discussion group, we turned our attention to a sobering but profoundly important topic—death, not in the abstract but as a deeply human, spiritual, and relational experience. Drawing from Robb Noll’s The Art of Dying: Living Fully Into the Life to Come, we explored how modern culture has drifted far from the Christian tradition of dying well and why recovering this lost art matters now more than ever.
Facing the Unspoken
As Noll notes, contemporary Americans live in unprecedented denial of
death. We’ve pushed it out of sight—out of homes, out of conversation, and too
often, out of church life. This denial may feel like progress, but it comes at
a cost. We’ve lost the ability to help people die well and to mourn well. We’ve
forgotten that death is not just a medical event—it’s a deeply spiritual one.
Christian tradition once upheld the “good death,” an approach where final
moments became a time of reconciliation, repentance, spiritual preparation, and
ultimately, a testimony to faith in Christ. As St. Isaac the Syrian once
advised, we should prepare our hearts for the inevitable hour, greeting it not
with fear but with peace and purpose.
Dying Has Changed—But the Call to Faith Remains
Death used to arrive swiftly through infection or injury. Now, chronic
illness often means that we experience a slow decline. While this brings its
own set of burdens, it also offers a grace-filled opportunity: to spend time
with loved ones, mend relationships, prepare spiritually, and leave a legacy of
faith.
Noll emphasizes that the choice to pursue aggressive medical care must be
weighed carefully. We should balance our hope for healing with a willingness to
accept that our earthly life will end. This isn’t giving up—it’s preparing our
souls for what comes next.
Recovering the Christian Vision of Death
In the 1800s, death was infused with spiritual meaning. Obituaries told
of faith, last words were sacred, and death was often viewed as a threshold
between two worlds. By the 20th century, however, heavy sedation and the
sanitization of language dulled the spiritual impact of death. What was once
public and instructive became private and clinical.
But it wasn’t always this way. The Christian tradition included “Ars
Moriendi”—the art of dying—a discipline in which believers mentally prepared
for death long before it arrived. The dying process was embraced, shared, and
seen as an opportunity for testimony and transformation.
Dying Well Requires Community
Noll challenges us to rethink our roles as family, friends, and church
members. The dying need more than care—they need presence. We are called to
walk with them, say important words (“I love you,” “Please forgive me,” “I
forgive you,” “Thank you”), and honor their final journey. Being there matters
more than saying the right thing.
Equally important is the Christian funeral. Rather than a generic
farewell, a Christian funeral should tell the story of the gospel and connect
it to the life of the one who has died. It shapes our grief and reinforces the
hope we have in Christ.
Allowing Space for Grief
Grief is lonely, awkward, and overwhelming, but it must not be avoided.
As Noll reminds us, we need to mourn deeply in order to heal honestly. The
church must not suppress lament—it must make room for it. Through shared
mourning and ritual, the broken community begins to heal and rebuild.
Toward a Culture of Resurrection
As our population ages and more of us care for aging loved ones, the
church has an opportunity—and responsibility—to embrace the elderly, not
marginalize them. We need a multigenerational vision that gives older members a
renewed sense of mission and allows younger believers to learn from those
nearing the finish line of faith.
Ultimately, Noll urges us to foster a resurrection culture. If we cannot
learn to die well, reconciled to others and prepared to meet God, we cannot
truly learn to live well.
Living Today with the End in Mind
The book's final chapter reminds us that death should shape how we live.
A good death—a life marked by love, peace, and trust in Christ—begins long
before the moment of departure. We can help prepare for that day by building
strong family ties, speaking openly about end-of-life hopes, and trusting in
the resurrection promise.
As we reflected on Noll’s book, one message rang clear: dying well is not
something we stumble into. It is a sacred process, and like all spiritual
disciplines, it requires attention, preparation, and faith. May we be a
community that embraces this calling, not in fear, but in the full assurance of
life to come.
Comments
Post a Comment