The Theology of Death

(Hardback)

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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
Reviewed by Myles Werntz, Baylor University, Religious Studies Review, June 2009
"This is a good book that refocuses attention on a subject often brushed aside." - Publishing News * Publishing News *
"This fascinating book touches on the phenomenon of cremation, 'woodland burial', on ideas of afterlife and resurrection, taking into account views as diverse as Mormonism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Davies' erudition and finesse with is subject is remarkable, yet his style remains accessible. It would be very helpful for someone studying death ritual or comparative religion." - Jonathan L Zecher, Theological Book Review, Vol 21 No 1, 2009 -- J.L. Zecher * Theological Book Review *

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.