
A Time to Mourn: Grieving the Loss of Those Whose Eternities Were Uncertain
ISBN: 9781527110670To a Christian, the death of an unbeliever is heartbreaking. But even in the darkness of grief, there can be light. Will Dobbie's nuanced examination of the hope found in the Bible offers more than shallow comfort.
The death of unbelieving loved ones is a taboo. Often we don't know how to grieve, or how to comfort Christian friends who have experienced that loss. Where do we find hope when all seems hopeless? The answer is in the character of the God who reveals Himself in the pages of Scripture.
With the tone of a pastor, who knows how hard it is to lose an apparently unbelieving friend, Will Dobbie directs our eyes towards the One who alone knows for certain the destiny of the departed. He points us to the God who, in the case of the lost, shares our heartache and comforts us, the God who is loving and compassionate as well as just and holy and wise. Ultimately, he shows us the God who is glorious.
Will does not shy away from tough questions along the way. If hell is real, how loving is God really? What about predestination? What about those who were never able to hear the gospel? What about infants? What about those with severe mental disabilities? What about those who commit suicide? And in the case of someone I dearly loved, who was unsaved, how can I have any peace, any closure, ever again?
If you are mourning a loved one whose eternity was uncertain, or seeking to comfort someone who is, this book offers not shallow consolation, but the truth and solace of Scripture.
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Author: After serving in the British Army, Will Dobbie went into full-time ministry in 2006. He moved to London to plant a church in 2013. In 2021, he moved to the US to plant again. He enjoys running and reading. He is married with two boys. Endorsements: Sound, sensitive and scriptural. Dobbie's bedside manner brings comfort to the sufferer and gives them confidence in the justice, grace, and mercy of God. … a beautiful condensation of what we can know about our Father's tender care. Knowing God in this way will prove a balm in the midst of sorrow and strength in the face of debilitating weakness. Thoroughly recommended. In the footsteps of his Saviour, Will Dobbie has walked into the darkness to bring light and comfort to all who mourn. This is a wise and gentle book, full of grace and truth - full of Christ, the man of sorrows and shepherd of the downcast. It will be an immense help not just to those who mourn, but those, too, who want to walk with sufferers in their grief. Will Dobbie has done us a great service in this deeply biblical and theological book. His theology is robustly reformed, his heart is warmly pastoral, and his counsel is wonderfully God-centered and realistic. I warmly commend this most helpful book. … gospel filled, tender and kind, practical and theological. Anyone who has grieved a loved one that died apart from faith needs to read this book. Will Dobbie has broken the silence on a difficult (and almost taboo) subject with pastoral compassion, realism, and biblical faithfulness. … a remarkable resource that helps our anxious hearts find peace in the God who's ways are above ours. No book can heal a broken heart, but this work draws you face to face with the One who can. … an accessible, compassionate, unflinchingly biblical application of the gospel to the heart-wrenching experience of uncertain loss. A must-read for those seeking solace and understanding in the face of profound grief - a reminder that, in Christ, there is comfort for every affliction. We all need this book! Will Dobbie doesn't reassure us with empty sentiments or cliche verses, but with the very character of our good God Himself. In this sorrow, there is no better anchor. I thank God for Will Dobbie's soldier's courage. It has meant that when confronted with the horror of the death of loved ones, who have rejected Christ, he has not shied away, but forced himself to engage biblically and pastorally with this grievous subject. The result is a book on God's character that I wish I had read 30 years ago at the start of my ministry. Some topics get spoken of less often. I've never preached a full sermon to comfort those who have lost someone with an uncertain eternity. This is why I'm thankful Will Dobbie has done more than preach that sermon. He's written a faithful, honest, and comforting book I can give others to explain one of the most troubling experiences in the Christian life.
--Rob Ventura, Pastor, Grace Community Baptist Church, Providence, Rhode Island
--Stephen Spinnenweber, Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian church, Jacksonville, Florida
--Derek W. H. Thomas, Senior Minister of Preaching and Teaching, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina
--Jonty Rhodes, Minister, Christ Church Central, Leeds, UK
--Christopher Ash, Writer-in-Residence, Tyndale House, Cambridge
--Christina Fox, Counselor, retreat speaker and author
--Joel R. Beeke, Chancellor, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan
--J. Garrett Kell, Pastor, Del Ray Baptist Church, Alexandria, Virginia
--Eric M. Schumacher, Podcaster; songwriter; author, Ours: Biblical Comfort for Men Grieving Miscarriages
--Natalie Brand, Bible teacher and author of Priscilla, Where Are You? A Call to Joyful Theology
--Rico Tice, Evangelist; Co-founder of Christianity Explored Ministries
--Benjamin Vrbicek, Pastor, Community Evangelical Free Church, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; managing editor, Gospel-Centered Discipleship
Additional Information:
Cover: | Softcover |
Number of Pages: | 80 |
Publisher: | Christian Focus Publications |
Publication Date: | 2024 |