The Last Lecture. By Randy Pausch. New York: Hyperion, 2008.

Occasionally, professors are requested to give a “last lecture,” that is, to consider what are the most important ideas, concepts, or things to share in light of one’s demise. Randy Pausch, professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, except for Randy, this was to be his “last lecture.” Randy was diagnosed with terminal cancer. His lecture “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” makes up the bulk of the book The Last Lecture.

When I know that a man is speaking his final words, my ears perk up and he gains my full attention. When one knows he is dying, he speaks of the things he believes to be most important. For Randy, he spoke a lot of family. His faithfulness to his wife and children are to be highly commended. This man loved his family, and it shows through in his words and his actions throughout his life, not just in his final days. (Some of his words about his family ripped my heart out! p.193)

The book is also filled with great advice for life. For example, Pausch writes, “Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted. And experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer” (p.149). That’s great advice, especially for the college students he taught. (see also, “earnest is better than hip,” p.133).

The thrust of the book, though, which was Randy’s chief advice was to dream big and work hard to achieve those dreams (my paraphrase). Life is short but it can be very meaningful if we go for the gusto, live large, and appreciate all that life has for us.

As a Christian reader, this was a heart-breaking read because the after-life was not given even a tiny thought. There was not even a false view of the afterlife presented. There was nothing, which may have been Pausch’s view. He spoke of having a conversation with his minister who only advised him to make sure his house was in order so that his family would be taken care of. What? No Gospel urgency? No getting your soul in order? No. None whatsoever. There was the mention of thankfulness for prayers and for people’s faith. But Randy gave no personal faith in Christ whatsoever.

He was a good man in the world’s way of thinking. He worked hard. He had a great career. He loved and provided for his family. These are all good, applaudable attributes. But in the end, life was nothing more than living out your dreams, and in so doing, finding some kind of fulfillment and satisfaction. Then it’s over, and that’s that. In his words, “The dreams will come to you” (p.206).

But that’s not that. When this life is over, we then stand before God, and we will stand empty, void, and guilty if we stand there without Christ! The most important thing in this life is to embrace Christ. He not only fills and satisfies in the here and now, but also forevermore! Should we as believers be given the opportunity to give a “last lecture,” we should cry to the top of our lungs, “Lay everything down and cling to Christ! He alone saves. He alone satisfies! He alone completes. This life and the life that is to come.”