What Happens When I Die? by Marcus Nodder

Questions Christians Ask

by Marcus Nodder

We all have questions about death. Despite the strong assurance the Bible gives us about life beyond the grave, Christians are often troubled by other questions. What will happen on the day of judgement? Will we have bodies in heaven? Will there be rewards?These short, simple books are designed to help Christians understand what God has said about these questions in the scriptures.Suitable for all Christians - especially those with questions about death.

Genres: Christian, Theology

Paperback

First published June 1, 2013

About the author

Marcus Nodder is senior pastor of St Peter's Barge - a floating church in London's Canary Wharf. Based on a converted Dutch freight barge moored on West India Quay, the church has two main operations - a Sunday church for those who live in the Docklands area, and a midweek church for those who work in the Canary Wharf offices. He worked briefly in banking before training for Christian ministry at Oak Hill College. He is married to Lina and has four children and a beagle called Sally.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short book that answers questions about what death is like for the Christian - how should we grieve, what happens after we die, what is the new heaven and new earth like, etc. Each chapter also contains a sidebar about topics like whether soul sleep is in the Bible and will there be animals on the new earth. Not a deep book, but pretty good for a quick read.

[Thaddeus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great simple little book giving a biblical answer to a common question. Perfect for a new Christian or giving to non-Christians to explain the Christian view of death and the afterlife. Well written and a good read!

[readwithjesss · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great, short and simple read which, as intended, prompted me to ask more questions. It’s not trying to answer life’s greatest mysteries, debated by generations of scholars, within a mere 60 pages. It’s trying to introduce biblical concepts and provide scriptural references to dive deeper.

Will you allow God to strengthen your faith through testing times? Will you see it as loving preparation for the ultimate test of faith, when you are called to walk through the valley of the shadow of death? Will you trust that he will walk you safely to the other side?

I particularly liked the chapters about eternity and our resurrection bodies (what happens when we die and when Jesus returns). I haven’t read Revelation yet, so I also found the imagery of our names being in “the book of life” pretty interesting.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation‬ ‭21:4‬

Life is about relationships, not just location. The Bible story begins in a garden but ends in a city because what lies ahead is life in community as people of God. At the heart of God’s new city will be relationship with God himself. Revelation 22:4 says they will see his face - that is closeness, not relationship at a distance. He will wipe every tear from their eyes - a picture of great intimacy, love and care.

[Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another small book in thegoodbook company's series, Questions Christians ask ... What happens when I die? and other questions about heaven, hell and the life to come.

In short, it does what it says on the tin! It's a much better offering than the previous one I read. Six short chapters with 9 inserts dealing with other questions. Each chapter focuses on the exposition of a main Bible passage and is well done.

Two short paragraphs really stood out for me, both in the same chapter, What will it be like to die?, and both on the same page, page 60 ... 'There are various motivations in the Bible for living to please the Lord - there's gratitude for his grace to us; there's love for the Lord; there's living out my new identity in Christ; there's the warning that no fruit is a sign of no faith; there's the call to be like our heavenly Father; and there's this prospect of being called to account by Christ.' Ans also ... 'For the Christian, dying is moving house, changing clothes, going home, and so we can face death with confidence and courage, but we also know that dying is giving account, and so we make it our aim to please the Lord.'

A solid 3-star read!

[Deborah-Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is perhaps one of the most asked questions of all. What happens when we die? Is there an afterlife? What's all this talk of judgment? Is soul sleep real? Will pets go to heaven? Nodder answers all of these questions with a certain thoughtfulness and sensitivity. Particularly when we ask the question: what do we say when someone who is not a Christian passes away, Nodder uses his pastoral wisdom to offer empathy rather than judgment. I found his writing very high quality and even though it is a relatively short book, he packed in a lot of different theological arguments and concerns.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nodder answers the question of the book's title in succinct and helpful ways. Every chapter is a question and ends with more of a niche question as a sidebar. This is a great resource to help people clear up what the Bible teaches about life, death, the afterlife, judgment, heaven and hell. Every pastor needs to be clear on where he stands on the Bible's claims about the end of life, especially when counseling families who have lost a loved one. Give this book to new Christians, to confused Christians, and to Christians dealing recently with reality of death in lives.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much appreciated this book. It was a quick read (finished in about an hour) and was surprisingly rejuvenating. It discusses some great questions (like will pets be with us during our bodily resurrection?) without claiming to have all the answers. I appreciate the many Biblical citations and observations about key verses. It was very easy breezy to read, using comfortable language like I was talking to a friend. I suspect that other Christians will find comfort in it if they have death anxiety.

[Jill Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short succinct summary of the evangelical Christian view of life after death. However the idea that sould 'go to heaven' (or otherwise) between physical death and the Great Resurrection I found very unexpected and unconvincing. My understanding of the consensus view is that one 'sleeps' until then, though to the person him/herself it will feel like no time has passed at all, as though after a dreamless night's sleep.

[Adam Bloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of the Gospel. I listened to it through Audible, but I'll be buying a physical copy to read more slowly and possibly give out copies to people who need a short primer on Christianity (I am a pastor and often give our short resources like this one).

[Jordan Gillette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very thankful for this series of books and find them all very helpful. I appreciate the work to write a concise book that gives solid information.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet- easy read. Very informative about the life to come after Jesus’ return. I don’t feel like it touched enough on what happens after people die before the rapture.

[redder reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accessible introduction

[Mark A Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death is often ignored or marginalized in our day, yet the Bible confronts the inescapably reality of death—and what awaits on the other side of that door—with powerful truths. Nodder unpacks them in expedient fashion, pointing to the hope found in Christ’s victory over the grave and the promised new creation. Helpful sidebars addressing common questions concerning the new heavens and earth (like recognizing others, having pets, etc.) add to this short book’s value.