The Theology of Death

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The first part of the book is grounded in biblical issues and in historical and philosophical theology. It seeks to establish several schemes of death theology related, for example, to early Christianity's Jewish cultural milieu, to belief in Christ's resurrection and to Christology, to issues of millennial belief and to an emergent liturgical practice. The rise of notions of the soul in relation to medieval thought and practice and the place of death in reformation theology are both covered, as is the role of the nineteenth and twentieth century. Finally the rise of biblical theology is considered, especially in the twentieth century. The second part of the book takes up several contemporary models of the theology of death. The first pursues a traditional acceptance of an other-worldly afterlife, the second explores worldly analysis of eternal life as a quality of contemporary existence devoid of any future state. The third develops the worldly model and considers a wider sense of self as a part of an ecological view of the world as a divine creation and explores the meaning of birth-life and death amidst a divine environment. The Theology of Death aims to offer some sharply defined schemes to focus thought in a Christian environment in which death, hell and heaven have almost lost their place. The topic of hope is a key element and the book explores the birth and fostering of hope within Christian traditions.

Reviews

Mention -Book News, February 2009
"Pastors, read these rich essays" - Church Times
"I commend it not just to students of theology but to any minister who wishes to obtain a thorough and insightful theological underpinning to their pastoral work and preaching." Richard Greatrex, www.thegoodbookstall.org.uk
"Professor Davies...has produced a well-constructed thesis in an attempt to provide a series of links between the two great unknowns...I urge not only all those to whom Professor Davies has directed it, but also the wider readership that is interested in the subject to obtain a copy and to make good use of it." The Christian Parapsychologist, 2009 -- John F. Ashby
"...richly ecletic in style...liberating, full of hope and spiritually rewarding." Theology, November 2009
"It is amazing that in less than 200 pages the author can present so much information, and in addition, that he opens thought provoking perspectives to the reader...this is a challenging book with many triggers for thought." Journal of Reformed Theology 3, 2009
"[T]his is an excellent book for those interested in a new, imaginative, and contextualized approach to the theology of death. the 'traditional' elements of eschatology, judgment, hell, heaven, purgatory, appear within a different, less systematized approach, more integrated with life itself. Throughout its ten chapters, the book invites us to discover the present reality regarding death, particularly in the Western world, with the transformation regarding customs pertaining to the corpse, coffin and cross; baptism and marriage; liturgies, life and death; heaven and hell; longings; grave, grove and rapture; cremation, burial and change; life-death balance and to live and live again. At the same time, the book highlights the challenges that confront Christian Churches and the way in which they can continue to keep the radical faith in life that Christ brings." --Ramon Martinez de Pison, Saint Paul University, Theoforum Vol. 39 No. 3, 2008 -- Ramon Martinez de Pison, Saint Paul University
"The Theology of Death is undoubtedly a masterful and comprehensive study about death and our varied attitudes toward his inevitable life event. Certainly this text is unique in that it directly confronts a cultural taboo with historical contexts, religious influence, and human experiences. This scholarly treatment of death is destined to be a classic study for theological practitioners and for those seeking to fully live life in spite of the reality of death.... This captivating text is complete with an impressive bibliography, footnotes, and a helpful index. This title is recommended for all libraries." -- John-Leonard Berg, Catholic Library World -- John-Leonard Berg * Catholic Library World *
"A solid study on the subject of the Theology of death...This is a good book that refocuses attention on a subject often brushed aside."-Publishing News * Publishing News *

Author Bio

Douglas Davies is Professor in the Study of Religion and Director of the Centre for Death and Life Studies at Durham University, UK. He is the author of Natural Burial (2012), The Theology of Death (2008) and A Brief History of Death (2004). He is also the editor, along with Lewis Mates, of The Encyclopedia of Cremation (2005). Professor Davies is a Fellow of the British Academy, as well as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and of the Learned Society of Wales.