Sin creates separation, and that separation is vividly evident in physical death (Rom. 6:23). Death separates husbands from wives, parents from children, and friends from friends. While believers possess the sure hope that all who are in Christ will be physically raised at the second advent (1 Cor. 6:14), that doesn’t negate that the death of loved ones is deeply painful and disorienting.
The following resources, curated by the Ligonier editorial team, seek to bring comfort and strength to believers walking through the suffering, loss, and grief associated with illness and death.
Surprised by Suffering: The Role of Pain and Death in the Christian Life by R.C. Sproul
In this classic book, Dr. R.C. Sproul argues that pain and death have a purpose in the Christian life. Rather than being surprised by suffering, we should expect difficulties as we live in a fallen world. The first half of the book addresses the topics of suffering and dying, while the second half addresses life after death. This book can provide counsel and comfort both for the suffering as well as for those ministering to the suffering.
Facing the Last Enemy: Death and the Christian by Guy Prentiss Waters
We often try to avoid thinking about death, but the Bible addresses this reality head-on. In this book, Dr. Waters provides biblical answers on death, dying, and the afterlife, seeking to instill confidence for the believer in the face of life’s final battle through faith in Christ’s victory. This resource can serve Christians who are fearful of death, facing their own death, or seeking to care for a dying friend or family member.
What Happens after Death? by Richard Phillips
This pamphlet provides a brief overview of how Christians can come to grips with death. After exploring how Jesus and noted Christians in history have responded to death, the author provides an explanation of the experience of death, the final judgment, and the eternal state in order to impart biblical clarity on these issues.
Grief Undone: A Journey with God and Cancer by Elizabeth W.D. Groves
This book recounts the story of how the author and her husband walked through his terminal cancer diagnosis. Honest yet hopeful, it shows how faith transforms suffering by looking to the God who is with His people. The book also serves readers by modeling healthy and God-honoring grief.
Dying and Death: Getting Rightly Prepared for the Inevitable by Joel Beeke and Christopher Bogosh
In this book, the authors contend that meditating on death and dying can be a profitable endeavor. Divided into three sections, part one provides a theological overview of dying and death. Part two looks at Jesus’ dying and death, identifying the comfort that it gives believers. Part three transitions to contemporary concerns with ethical issues related to dying and death.
This article is part of the Recommended Resources collection.
Ligonier Ministries