Is God Still at the Bedside?: The Medical, Ethical, and Pastoral Issues of Death and Dying

Review Journal of the American Medical Association "A wonderful addition to the literature that explores end of life, dying, and death in contemporary society, from a Christian theological or pastoral basis."Choice "An accessible presentation of sophisticated scholarship on a wide range of topics that surround end-of-life care. . . . Highly recommended."Studies in Christian Ethics "A rich resource. . . . A comprehensive, practical and theological guide."Theology Today "A valuable contribution to the library of a student, minister, or health-care professional."Catholic Library World "I cannot recommend this book too highly. . . . Such a readable volume which is well worth the price."Edmund D. Pellegrino, M.D. - Georgetown University Medical Center "Sooner or later most of us must participate in decisions affecting our own or a loved one's end-of-life care. However sophisticated we may be about the issues, we can all be grateful for the wisdom and practicality of this volume by ethicist-theologian Abigail Rian Evans. Her years as teacher, minister, and scholar have been ably distilled in this vade mecum for a journey all of us must take."Canon James Woodward - College of St. George, Windsor Castle "Abigail Rian Evans brings to the narrative of this book several decades of learning, listening, and reflecting. She guides the reader through some complex theological geography. The book is carefully researched and well organized, and the reader can be assured of wisdom as Evans breaks open scripture and tradition so that the pastor can offer a distinctive Christian presence. This book is a model of how to think and respond theologically. I hope it will be widely read and used."Harold G. Koenig, M.D. - Center for Spirituality, Theology, and Health, Duke University Medical Center "As interesting as it is insightful, Is God Still at the Bedside? confronts the difficult questions at the edge of life head-on, employing a broad range of angles and approaches to explore its challenging subject matter. Evans's faith-filled, commonsense study will be useful to doctors, nurses, pastors, and anyone else called to minister medically or spiritually to the bodies and souls of the dying."Bruce Epperly - Lancaster Theological Seminary "Abigail Rian Evans is one of the leading voices in the interplay of theology, medicine, and health. This book of hers is magisterial in scope and insight. Evans covers the whole range of issues in medical ethics and pastoral care related to issues of death and dying. This text belongs on the bookshelf of hospital chaplains, pastors, bioethicists, theologians, and health-care providers. Comprehensive and evenhanded, Is God Still at the Bedside? describes the main issues facing patients and their families and those who care for them medically and spiritually. Essential reading for anyone concerned with death and dying, medical ethics, and pastoral care from a Christian perspective."C. George Fitzgerald - Director, Spiritual Care Service, Stanford University Medical Center "Many readers will appreciate the comprehensive approach that Evans takes to the challenging topic of death and dying. . . An insightful and enlivening book."Raymond A. Dunmyer - St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Montevallo, Alabama "The most comprehensive study of end-of-life issues that I have seen. . . Is God Still at the Bedside? is a lucid, timely, and enormously relevant book that combines religious knowledge, excellent scholarship, and practical guidance. I am happy to recommend this book with enthusiasm." Is God Still at the Bedside? by Abigail Rian Evans offers an expert interdisciplinary Christian perspective on the complex web of issues surrounding death and dying. Evans here combines first-person stories and interviews with research gathered from the medical, theological, legal, ethical, and pastoral disciplines. Her comprehensive, insightful work will not only benefit families struggling with diffic