Remember Death

 In our western 21st century world – we’ve forgotten death!  We hide it.  We hide from it.  Matthew McCullough sets out in this book why we need to remember it. Remembering our mortality is, he argues, strangely liberating, freeing us to reflect on what really matters and who really matters.  

The Bible talks a lot about death, and as with all Biblical content, there’s a purpose to it.  McCullough helps us to see how recognising death and thinking about what it means for us, allows us to live true, faithful and joyful lives. That said, the book isn’t really about death; it’s a book about Jesus and therefore a book about hope.  When the reality of death fades to the background, the promises of Jesus often seem abstract, belonging to another world from the one we’re living in. To know Jesus should be to know joy.  Yet so often our joy in life is checked by pride, fear, envy, futility, dissatisfaction, and a host of other cares.  An honest awareness of death puts these enemies of joy in their proper place, so that in turn the victory of Jesus can shine in its proper light.

What do we gain when we are found in Christ?  We gain exactly what death shows us we need.  We gain a Father.  We gain a belonging as secure and immovable as the powers of heaven.  We gain an identity which will not fade.  We gain an inheritance waiting to be revealed.  And we can also fully enjoy the wonder, beauty, and blessings of this world.  As C S Lewis said, “Aim at Heaven and you will get earth thrown in: aim at earth and you will get neither”.

There’s a big paradox exposed in this book: remembering death brings joy – true, inner, deep, joy.  If that sounds unreal, I’d urge you to read it.  It’s not long – 180 pages or so – and a profoundly helpful read. 

James Geddes