Contemporary culture is not always hostile to the belief in life beyond death, but much mainstream church life and theology has become strangely reticent about it. Research suggests that among churchgoers less than half express any sure and certain hope of life beyond death in any form. Why is this, given that belief in the resurrection is so pivotal to Christian faith and theology?

In Life Beyond Death, Vernon White examines how we might rehabilitate belief in life beyond death for current times. Beginning with a survey of general ‘signs of transcendence’ in contemporary thought and experience, he examines how Christian theology relates to changing culture, and considers how belief in the after-life can shape and guide the way we live here and now.

Philosophy and imagination are both brought to bear on this theological exploration. It is an exploration which leads in the end to a celebration of hope, something urgently needed in uncertain and sceptical times.