When Death Triggers Doubt: An Interview with Crystal Heydenrych (Season 2, Episode 7)
When Death Triggers Doubt: An Interview with Crystal Heydenrych (Season 2, Episode 7)
Today’s interview is with Crystal Heydenrych, who is a botanist and mother of two. Crystal described the doubts that plagued her after her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and died four months later. I really appreciated Crystal’s ability to articulate her fears that God did not see her suffering and she was ultimately alone. She explained how she threw herself into researching the resurrection. She explains how God comforted her through reason, when her emotions were overwhelming.
In today’s episode, we explore:
Growing up in South Africa and coming to faith through the faith of her mother, aunt, and grandmother.
The deepening of Crystal’s faith whilst at university and going to Bible studies where her faith became her own.
The death of her close friend’s father the night before her wedding and the loss of her own mother to ovarian cancer and the period of doubt that ensued after these losses.
How God comforted her through reason, the robust evidence of the resurrection and the ultimate hope that God sees and she is not alone.
Mentioned in today’s episode:
All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God podcast by Justin Brierly
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Can We Trust the Gospels? by Peter J. Williams
Jesus and The Eyewitnesses: The Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony by Richard Bauckham
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,” Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)