020 | Spirituality, Healthcare, and Why Not to Fear Death

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SS021 - Spirituality, Healthcare, and Why Not to Fear Death


In this age, people fear death for many reasons. Two major contributing factors are the dissipation of Christianity in our society and the attempts of the scientific community ultimately to prevent death. The more we try to put death off, the scarier it looks. The more we detach ourselves as a society from religion, the more detached a discussion of religion becomes from healthcare. But the truth is, healthcare and religion are deeply linked. Numerous studies show that, overall, religious people have a longer life expectancy, as well as better mental and physical health, than non-religious people.

Today, we talk about these studies and discuss why this is the case. We explore the freeing effects of not conforming to the world and talk about how open discussion of religion in hospitals could improve healthcare. We refute the idea that Christianity is a negative religion that restricts, showing its positive, freeing side. We go into the history of Judeo-Christian beliefs about the body. We discuss the importance of treating one’s body well. We close with a discussion of the importance prayer and selflessness.

“The Christian worldview inserts us into an eternal story.” Dr. Marty Fletcher

“I follow Jesus not just because I might die tomorrow, but because I probably won’t.” Dr. Matt Hook

This week on Shepherd & the Shrink:


  • Fear of death

  • The link between religion and health

  • Detachment from the world

  • The need for spirituality in healthcare

  • The role and importance of the body

  • How viewing the human race as one spiritual body frees us from comparing ourselves to others

  • The role of prayer

Resources mentioned

Bringing Mental Health and Spirituality Together

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Shepherd & the Shrink Podcast with your hosts Dr. Matt Hook and Dr. Martin Fletcher, the show where theology meets psychology. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.


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Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Shepherd & the Shrink Podcast with your hosts Dr. Matt Hook and Dr. Martin Fletcher, the show where theology meets psychology. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

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