Discussing Death
Preparing for Glory: Biblical Answers to 40 Questions on Living and Dying in Hope of Heaven, Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage. Phillipsburg: P & R Publishing, 2024. Softcover, 182 pages.
Like every pastor with some years in his rear-view mirror, I’ve had much to do with death in my ministry. I’ve known saints who were well-prepared in every way to go home to be with the Lord. I’ve known those who were prepared in some ways and unprepared in others. Then there have also been those who made no preparations of any kind. Those situations often bring the most difficulty for those left behind. It can be difficult to have conversations around death, which is why a book like this can be such a huge help.
The author became familiar with her topic through experiences with her parents, as well as her 22 year old son. She writes, “In the valleys of grief, sorrow, and affliction, I have discovered that the Bible offers profound hope” (p.13). She shares that hope through answering 40 questions related to death.
Here are a few of the questions Turnage answers:
- What happens to us when we die?
- What will life be like in the new heavens and new earth?
- How do we know which medical means to employ at the end of life?
- What is a spiritual legacy, and how do we create one?
- What is anticipatory grief?
- How do we grieve when we don’t know a loved one’s eternal destiny?
Each of the questions is answered in a brief chapter that includes a Bible reading, prayer, and questions for reflection. Each chapter also has something I’ve never seen in a book before: a QR code that will link you to more resources related to the topic of the chapter.
Most of the book gives sound biblical answers and counsel. The only chapter where I put a question mark was the one on cremation. Turnage writes, “Cremation isn’t against biblical counsel, but many theologians and pastors recommend burial because they believe it more clearly honors the dignity of the body” (p.92). Then a short bit later, “…many theologians agree that both burial and cremation are biblically acceptable options” (p.93). Historically the Christian church has rejected cremation. The body of a deceased person is still a human being. Therefore, that body should be treated honourably and the best way to do that is burial, akin to sowing the seed in anticipation of the harvest (1 Cor. 15:36-49). I was recently in Singapore and I learned about funerary practices in this tiny and extremely land-poor nation-state. Cremation there is often a necessity and there’s little that can be done about that. But that’s not an issue in land-rich countries like Canada and Australia. We have the option to do what’s best.
Aside from that point, this would be a helpful book for every believer in their “sunset years.” It could be used as a devotional or read on its own. It’d also be helpful for pastors and elders as they engage in conversations with members about death. Death can be difficult to discuss, but it’s something 100% of us are going to face unless Christ returns first. Turnage helps us have those difficult discussions and make every necessary preparation for our homecoming.
Originally published in Clarion 74.03 (February 28, 2025)
