In the midst of life.

When you are Dying A Personal Exploration of Life, Suffering, and Belief, Philip Wetherell, Foreword by Bishop Tom Butler, 228pp, Gilead Books, Malton, North Yorkshire, 2011, £7.95; ISBN – 13: 978-0-9568560-0-5

When I came across this arresting title I realised that I knew who the author was and wished that I had known him better. Philip Wetherell, was an Anglican priest with a worldwide perspective on Christianity through his active involvement in development organisations. He was struck down with motor neuron disease in 2007 and for most of his last three years was dependent on his wife Gaby and carers for all his day to day physical needs. With the help of amazing computer technology he wrote about his life and the challenging and important issues that he grappled with during this debilitating illness. Gaby has done well to have his reflections published in what has turned out to be a very thoughtful, stimulating and honest book. Philip had doubts about many aspects of traditional Christianity so I sensed that we would sometimes agree to disagree. Nevertheless, I was impressed by his discussion of suffering and his balanced approach to assisted suicide. His very sensible treatment of human embryology research contrasts markedly with the hysterical reactions of some Christians. I liked his careful study of Mark’s gospel to find the Principles behind Jesus’ life and teaching.

In 2010, a few months before he died Philip wrote an Easter sermon for a prison chaplain to read to the prisoners. The sheer physical effort involved must have been enormous. He aired some of his uncertainties and pointed out that seeing the light is for most of us ‘a gradual growing and understanding, just as it was for the disciples’ [p223]. I think he was mistaken in describing Mary Magdalene as a former sinner but I’m sure he would have liked my idea that if an apostle is one sent with a message then Mary Magdalene was certainly an apostle for she was sent to tell the men about the living Jesus.

The Burial Service of the Book of Common Prayer reminds us that, ‘In the midst of life we are in death:’ so this is a book for anyone to read and with Professor Keith Ward ‘I hope that it will be widely read.’