An intimate and compelling work from a beloved minister facing his own imminent death
On February 4, 2008, Forrest Church sent a letter to the members of his congregation, informing them that he had terminal cancer but promising to sum up his thoughts on the topics that had been so pervasive in his work-love and death. The goal of life, Church tells us, “is to live in such a way that our lives will prove worth dying for.” This moving book is imbued with ideas and exemplars for achieving that goal.
“I read Love and Death as soon as it came out. The greatest gift I could give every one of you is to just tell you to go read this book.” —President Bill Clinton
“Forrest Church is one of our great prophetic intellectuals and compassionate voices.” —Cornel West, author of Race Matters
“Forrest Church, a deeply spiritual but always practical visionary, is a minister to us all with this moving and instructive book on the lessons of life and death.” —Tom Brokaw
“Forrest Church blesses us with his eloquence, his faith, and, mostly, his love.” —Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People
“In the midst of an extremity for which there is no euphemism—the prospect of his own imminent death—Forrest Church has written a book that defies the usual adjectives. It is poignant, moving, candid, and eloquent.” —James Atlas, author of My Life in the Middle Ages
“This beautiful book by a matchless preacher, poet, and author is Forrest Church in his finest hour.” —Senator George McGovern
- Love & Death has been named one of the Best Spiritual Books of 2008 by Spirituality and Practice
- Listen to Forrest Church's interview on The Diane Rehm Show
- Watch to Forrest Church on PBS's Religion & Ethics Newsweekly