When a Christian Faces Death

by Rev. Richard Bolland

Pastor Bolland was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer. Expecting to live around six months, he wrote this short book, which includes some biographical details, his thinking about whether to try long-shot treatments, comforting Scripture passages and hymns, thoughts about burial and cremation, what not to say to someone in his situation (stuff like, “Well, we’re all going to die.” It’s true, but seems like it trivializes the real situation the person is going though), and his “End Times To Do List” (practical things to do to prepare, e.g. showing your spouse how to pay the bills).

He recommends a book I hadn’t heard of by Johann Gerhard called “Handbook of Consolations.” Quoting a hymn by Gerhard (LSB 756):

God gives me days of gladness,

and I will

trust Him still

when He sends me sadness…