“How then do we finish well?” Just as we started the race, by grace. From that foundation, one is to have a Christ-centered life and a focused life. “…those who end well have disciplined lives.”

Review of: Sweeting, Donald W. and George Sweeting. How to Finish the Christian Life. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2012. 204 pages. $8.99.

George Sweeting (87 years old) was president, then chancellor, then chancellor emeritus of Moody Bible Institute. Don Sweeting, George’s son (in his 50s), is president of Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. This book is the result of conversation between them relating to “key issues involved in being a faithful disciple of Jesus in the second half of life.” The son promised, “…I will write up the notes of our conversation.”

The book makes wide use of personal experiences (particularly of George), illustrative material (often from “running”) and relevant Biblical references. Chapter subjects often focus on concerns of those of us who are older (everyone’s “aging”), for example, on reordering one’s “bucket list,” priorities and possessions, even planning for one’s death, funeral and heaven. But there are also lessons for others who are simply “over 50” (in the “last half of life”) or younger; the concept of life as a “race” applies to all of us.

“How then do we finish well?” (p. 149). Just as we started the race, by grace. From that foundation, one is to have a Christ-centered life and a focused life. “…those who end well have disciplined lives.”

Two minor suggestions for the second edition. It is not always clear who is speaking; the movement from one to the other, “I(Don)” to “I(George)” (for example, pages 22/25 and 58/60), is not always easy to follow. Habits of good health are not sufficient to assure long life. Some people who follow the best of habits do not live very long (some babies, for example). It might have been a good idea to mention genes and grace on page 30.

Dr. George C. Fuller is a PCA teaching elder and former president of Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Fuller serves as the Director of the PCA Christian Ed’s Seniors Program and is a member of the Christian Education and Publications Permanent Committee.

(Editor’s Note: About the Authors
DONALD SWEETING (B.A., Moody Bible Institute; M.A., Lawrence University; M.A., Oxford University; Ph.D, Trinity International University) was the long time senior pastor of Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Littleton, Colorado. Last year he became the President and Professor of Church History at RTS Orlando. He is author of Acts of God and Lessons from the Life of Moody.

DR. GEORGE SWEETING is a former president and chancellor of the Moody Bible Institute He received a diploma from Moody Bible Institute, his B.A. from Gordon College, and his Doctor of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Dr. Sweeting has served as a pastor in several churches, including Grace Church, Madison Avenue Baptist Church, and The Moody Church and also spent nine years traveling the world as an evangelist. Dr. Sweeting has written numerous books, including The Joys of Successful Aging, Too Soon to Quit, Lessons from the Life of Moody, and Don’t Doubt in the Dark. He is the host of the radio program Climbing Higher and a former columnist for Moody Magazine.)