I read this book a few years ago. Since I have been doing quite a bit of hospital visitation for my new assignment as Wing chaplain, I pulled this off my shelf and reviewed it. In doing so I was reminded of how useful a resource this is. Here is my review from 2011:
Do you consider care for the sick an essential activity for Christ followers? Do you have a theology that is sturdy enough to shine even in the darkness of those on the brink of death? Do you think to pop a few breath mints before you go and pray with someone on their sickbed?
This book presents a concise, Biblical and practical guide for caring for the sick in Christ’s name and strength. While Croft’s many years of experience as a pastor as well as being the son of a doctor provide ample material for practical advise, it is the Biblical foundation that Croft lays prior to discussing the practical implications of that foundation that is the real strength of this book. Too often books either expound on Scripture and theology but never make practical demands from that theology, or even worse, start with the pragmatic and then search for prooftexts in Scripture to give weight to opinions. Croft does an excellent job of letting his practical exhortations flow from the Word of God, both from specific texts on caring for the sick and dying and from the metanarratives of Scripture. Above all he shows that caring for the sick is about the Gospel.
This book was a great reminder of the essential ministry of caring for the physical needs of people as well as a great tool for accomplishing that task.
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