Culture Matters Facing Death with a Loved One and Caring for the Caretaker
In this conversation, Adam and Elizabeth sit down with writer and journalist Whitney Pipkin to talk about her book We Shall All Be Changed. Whitney shares how walking with her mother through a 22-year cancer journey—and ultimately her final days—reshaped her theology of death, grief, caregiving, and hope. Together, they explore the cultural discomfort around death, how Christians can approach suffering without fast-forwarding to hope too quickly, and the sanctifying work that happens in the tension between loss and resurrection. This conversation is pastoral, reflective, and deeply encouraging for anyone navigating grief or supporting others through it.
What's in this Episode?
[01:00] Why Write About Death? Whitney shares the long, formative journey with her mom’s cancer and how facing death revealed gaps in her theology.
[04:30] Running from What’s Unavoidable Discussing cultural avoidance of death, and what we lose when we don’t enter into suffering.
[07:00] The Tension of Death & Resurrection Why Christians wrestle with both lament and hope—and why both are necessary.
[10:30] Walking with the Dying Adam shares a personal story about his grandfather and discusses euthanasia, suffering, and longing for release.
[13:30] The Sanctifying Power of Dying Slowly Whitney explains how her mom’s final days became a holy and transformative space.
[17:00] Caring for Caregivers Reflections on caregiving, hospice care, and the power of the Holy Spirit to equip us for roles we feel unprepared for.
[21:30] The Role of the Church How the body of Christ can walk with those facing grief and death—including simply showing up.
[24:00] The Ministry of Presence Why casseroles still matter and what Job’s friends got right (and wrong).
[26:30] Hope for Believers and Non-Believers Alike Whitney shares how her story resonates beyond the church—and how death points to the finished work of Christ.
[30:00] Final Words for Those Facing Death A pastoral word for those grieving or caregiving: you will not always feel like this, and Christ is present even when you don’t feel it.
Guest Resources
We Shall All Be Changed by Whitney Pipken
Follow Whitney: instagram.com/whitneykpipkin
Whitney's Website: whitneykpipkin.com
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