Suicide and the God of Grace
A Collection of Christian Reflection
- Counseling, Grief & Mental Health
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2025
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Publisher's Description
Suicide is a painfully intrusive reality around the world, touching many Christian families as well. These theological reflections are designed to assist pastors facing one of the hardest funerals imaginable as well as inform other readers, family, and spiritual care givers who live in the aftermath of tragedy. Biblical passages and the history of Christian thought are scanned with some surprising results. There is a persistent openness to God's grace embracing death by suicide, redeeming the last moment of life. From Aquinas to Luther to Barth, influential theologians refused to call suicide an unforgiveable sin, though they always discouraged it. There is a surprising congruence between ancient and modern, Protestant and Roman Catholic, in some of these approaches. Without attempting to speak God's final word on any victim of suicide, the editor finds a middle way between outright condemnation and universalism. Contributors offer actual sermons used for suicide funerals. This book invites all who wrestle with suicide's spiritual questions to engage with a tradition more compassionate and nuanced than many might expect.
Endorsements (4)
“Suicide remains the last taboo topic among Christians. Pastor Mark Koonz rescues silence with long-overlooked scriptural insights. While sinful, suicide is nowhere ‘the unforgiveable sin’ in the Bible or in centuries of Christian reflection. Acknowledging our confusions and questions, find here a conversation opening toward the God of grace. This book will be welcomed by clergy, caregivers, families, and friends struggling with the wrenching ‘Whys?’ and the ‘Now What?’ left behind by those they love.”
“Pastor Koonz’s reflection and exquisite anthology on one of the most painful issues is a blessing to pastors and family who bear the grief for one who could no longer endure the pain that can shape a life. Such loss leaves us with the question of the psalmist, ‘How Long, O Lord?’ Here is help for those of us who seek to speak a healing word, a word that leads from death to eternal life.”
“Mark Koonz has given us just about the finest book we have on thinking like Christians about suicide. With compassion and concision, Mark lets us listen to the testimonies of Scripture, the most insightful theologians, past and present, and contemporary pastors and preachers in order to answer the question, ‘Just what do Christians believe about suicide?’ Preachers will find immediate, insightful help with how to care for and speak with people dealing with suicide. All Christians are sure to receive aid from Mark’s wonderful labor of love.”
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