As lawmakers continue to use religion and religious ethics as a guide, questions of life after death are not only eternal, but urgent.
As lawmakers continue to use religion and religious ethics as a guide, questions of life after death are not only eternal, but urgent.
Afterlife & reincarnation, Christianity (general), Religious
Death, Where Is Your Sting? is about both the process of dying and the question of what, if anything, happens after death. Robert Reiss knows the answers to his questions have eluded philosophers and theologians past, but he gives a compelling argument as to why we should continue to ask the question in light of new evidence from neuroscience and new interpretations of the New Testament. Paying close attention to the contested issue of assisted dying, Reiss shows that questions of life after death are not only eternal, but urgent, as lawmakers continue to use religion and religious ethics as a guide.
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This is a courageous essay, thoughtful and un-illusioned. It is not surprising that it has been published in this imprint of the publisher, John Hunt. March '22 Church Times. ~ Church Times, Review
Death, Where Is Your Sting?: Dying and Death Examined explores the existential dilemma of death, which has confronted philosophers, theologians, and every human being. Death, Where Is Your Sting? draws upon both scientific evidence and the Christian New Testament to weigh questions of life after death. Thoughtful, evenhanded, deeply spiritual, yet practical-minded in its approach to real-world quandaries, Death, Where Is Your Sting? is highly recommended. ~ Michael Carson (Reviewer), Midwest Book Review
Key questions include what is meant by eternity, whether we need to think of body and soul as separate, whether we can we speak of eternal life for us as individuals and indeed what can we believe about God in the light of ever-increasing scientific discoveries. He bravely concludes with a statement of where his own beliefs rest after his journey of exploration. His conclusions on the issue of the ‘afterlife’ I find challenging. His personal journey to get to this point provides an invaluable summary of theological thinking on this issue and is fascinating and thought-provoking. FULL REVIEW in Progressive Voices - Issue 39 - December 2021 ~ Progressive Voices , Review
5* Rating. We all have to face death; think about it now. A thorough and helpful review of many views on what follows death, if anything. The writer concludes with his own position and further thoughts on assisted dying. ~ J. Martineau, Amazon
4* Rating. Grasping the nettle of a tricky subject. A thoroughly researched and illuminating exploration of a sensitive topic - a challenging read that has helped to move my thinking on. ~ saraband, Amazon
This book is about both the process of dying and the question of what, if anything, happens after death. Starting with theology and ending with an overview of the authors' conclusions, this is a thorough and deeply thoughtful process of Death and the right to die. ~ Karen Kilby (Reviewer), NetGalley
This reflective book shows with generosity and openness how an Anglican priest in the present day, whose experience and vision has been informed by many years of pastoral commitment and care, might confront the reality of death on the basis of the accumulated theology and philosophy which we now find upon our bookshelves. Bob Reiss has organized his material carefully and thoroughly, and many readers will be grateful to find so many significant doors opened up to them. But this is more than a survey of arguments. The author’s own search for an understanding that appears both realistic and faithful gives life and character to the whole book and yields a particular attraction and value. ~ Andrew Chandler. Professor of Modern History, University of Chichester.
What happens to us when we die? Everyone has asked themselves that question. Bob Reiss offers us a wide-ranging account of different religious and philosophical perspectives, both historical and contemporary, on death. Whether you agree or not with his personal conclusions, you will find his book a truly fascinating and illuminating one. ~ Brian Pearce, Former Director of the Inter Faith Network for the UK
Spoiler alert: at the end of his book Bob Reiss writes: I therefore personally share Dag Hammarskjold’ view ‘For all that has been, Thanks! To all that shall be, Yes!’ But I do not see any individualistic conscious life after death as part of what shall be. Perhaps it is not really such a spoiler because unless you take the journey into the afterlife with Dr Reiss as your guide you will neither appreciate nor understand how rich is the material that has led him to his conclusion. One can only be thankful to him for providing such a pleasurable read on a topic which is, for many, so full of dread. ~ David Richardson AO OBE formerly the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Representative to the Holy See.
