Sunday, February 11, 2018

WHEN IS IT RIGHT TO DIE? by Joni Eareckson Tada



WHEN IS IT RIGHT TO DIE? is an updated book about death and dying from a Christian perspective. It is nonfiction. Joni Eareckson Tada, the author, begins her book with a Preface and Special Thanks, which are acknowledgements for those who helped make this book possible. Tada spreads her content across three sections and ten chapters. She follows this with an Epilogue and an Appendix of the Hippocratic Oath. Then she ends with Notes citing sources used to research material for each chapter. Tada is the CEO of JONI AND FRIENDS, an organization that provides and spiritual help to those with special JONI AND FRIENDS also equips churches in helping those with disabilities. Tada has written numerous books, which include WHEN GOD WEEPS and one among several memoirs, THE GOD I LOVE.

This is not light, entertaining reading. It's about death, dying, suffering, disabilities, and illness. The author, Joni Eareckson Tada, knows by experience what she is writing about. She has been paralyzed from the neck down for decades. She has faced infertility and has never been able to bear children. Nor has she apparently been able to adopt. She and her husband, Ken, model true love and marriage. I really admire them. Recently, Joni has fought breast cancer. I have read many of her other books and heard her on radio. So her conservative but well-informed and deeply spiritual worldview, as reflected throughout this book, did not surprise me in the least. I did not realize she faced breast cancer until I read this book. Though this book is serious and profound, it is interesting and greatly encouraging and motivating. This is one book I do not want to give away or donate.

I recommend this book for anyone concerned about death, dying, disabilities illness, or depression. All pastors, counselors, and any church leader working with people should read this book and apply its lessons. There are plenty of books dealing with sanctity of life issues as they apply to the beginning of life. There are fewer books focusing on the sanctity of life as it pertains to end-of-life issues. This is a must read book and it is for all people 18 and over. A youth version of this book is needed.

I have received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to give a positive review of this book.

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