Book Review: “Things Worth Dying For”

In his new book, “Things Worth Dying For,” Archbishop Charles Chaput has provided us with an inspiring book of hope as we ponder on the meaning of life and death.  

Archbishop Chaput, bestselling author of “Strangers in a Strange Land” and retired Archbishop of Philadelphia, provides us with an amazing amount of practical, thought-provoking material to reflect on as we explore the meaning of what a “life worth living” is all about.

The primary premise of this book is: “That while it seems natural for us to fear dying, there is hope that can come from abandoning the notion that we can create our life’s meaning and trusting God.” Given this premise, Chaput “delves into our yearning for God, love, honor, beauty, truth and immortality” as he shares scripture reference, stories and personal wisdom gained from years of study and service in the Catholic Church. He seems to capture the real essence of the questions we may struggle with as we strive to gain a worthy sense of our lives.  

Chaput quickly captured my full attention on Pg. 8 with the statement, “Time has a purpose.” As he put it, “The meaning of a sentence becomes clear when we put a period at the end of it. The same applies to life. When we talk about things worth dying for, we’re really talking about the things worth living for that give life beauty and meaning.” 

Each chapter of the book has a creative title with an underlying quote. For example, the title for Ch. 7 is “The Ties That Bind” and the underlying quote centers on the importance of love for viable social order. I found the chapter titles and related underlying quotes grabbed my full attention and created clear context for the content.

Reading in Ch. One (If I Forget Thee, O Jerusalem), we have the opportunity to gain fresh insight for the important role history plays in our present and our future. As Chaput states, “As Christians, we have a future because we have a purpose and destiny beyond ourselves, a mission passed down to us to renew the face of the earth with God’s love through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to reclaim those gifts – each of us in our own lives as individuals, and together as a Church.” 

It is here, in the first chapter, that Chaput introduces us to love as the first virtue “worth dying for.” This encompasses love for God and for the “natural loves of family, friends, honor and integrity.”

In Ch. 2, “Gentle Into That Good Night,” we have opportunity to reflect on Chaput’s notion that “the path to death should be one of trust and abandonment.” Utilizing references to several Old Testament and New Testament scriptures he explains how we, as Christians through Christ’s death and resurrection, have clear examples of how to trust and abandon ourselves to God.

The remaining seven chapters of the book continue with the themes on the virtues of honor, beauty, truth and immortality, that make life worth dying for. From encouraging us to “think about death and the verdict it passes on the lives we live” on through the last chapter, “On Friendship,” there is plenty to ponder. 

Chaput’s sharing of personal insights, use of analogy citing various movies, books, scripture and quotes from various authors results in a very interesting and thought-provoking book of hope.

Each Lenten season I utilize a particular book as a resource for reflection and Chaput has provided me with a great book for the 2022 Lenten journey.

I highly recommend this book!

John H. Dolezal is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.