We’re kicking off a new series at Arise Church this Sunday on heaven, hell, and the afterlife. As part of our series notes, I like to share some suggested resources for each series, books and articles and podcasts and videos that may be helpful for those wanting to dig deeper into the topics that ourContinue reading “Resources on Heaven, Hell, and the Afterlife”
Tag Archives: Heaven
Will There Be Scars in Eternity?
Last week, I wrote about my journey of healing from my heart episode this past winter and how thinking about my PTSD experience like a burn on my leg has been a helpful way for me to conceptualize my experience. I ended by saying that, someday, my mental scar will be all that remains ofContinue reading “Will There Be Scars in Eternity?”
Ep29: When Is Jesus Coming Back?
In this episode of the Church Debates series, we examine questions about when Jesus is coming back (eschatology) and what happens to people after death.
Ancient Hebrew Cosmology
Human beings often presume our own worldview when trying to make sense of a message or a text. As anyone who has had an argument based upon a misunderstanding knows (think of Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on First?” routine), assuming that other people mean exactly what you think they mean, without making sure that’s whatContinue reading “Ancient Hebrew Cosmology”
After Death
Last week, Conciliar Post ran a Round Table discussion what happens to human beings after physical death. Below are my reflections for your consideration. Just a couple of weeks ago, someone posed this very question—what happens to people after death?—while I was teaching a Sunday school class on the Apocalypse of John (the book ofContinue reading “After Death”
Book Review: The Reason for My Hope (Graham)
Few people have shaped contemporary Christianity more than Billy Graham. Though not as active, popular, or visible as he once was, Graham’s decades of evangelism, writing, and preaching continue to influence Christians around the world. Even in retirement, Graham continues to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world. It was thus withContinue reading “Book Review: The Reason for My Hope (Graham)”
Ephrem’s “Hymns on Paradise”
This post is part of an ongoing series examining Ephrem the Syrian and early Syrian Christianity. Given the length of Ephrem’s Hymns on Paradise and the number of reflection-worthy aspects of his thought demonstrated in these hymns, this essay offers several general reflections on Ephrem’s concepts of Paradise (historic and cosmic), the limiting of investigation,Continue reading “Ephrem’s “Hymns on Paradise””
What About People Who Died Before the Incarnation?
A while back, a friend wrote me and asked, “How do you justify [and explain] the people who died before Christ came [i.e., Abraham, Moses, David]?” This struck me as an important and insightful question. In our rush to talk about and theologize heaven and hell, we often pay little attention to people who wouldContinue reading “What About People Who Died Before the Incarnation?”
Milton and the Divine Plan, Part I
Today’s post is the first in a two-post series examining John Milton’s conception of the Divine Plan. The second post in this series runs tomorrow. Few people who have ever learned something about English poet John Milton (1608-74 CE) doubt his incredible talent. Not only was Milton a world class poet (I won’t delve intoContinue reading “Milton and the Divine Plan, Part I”
Book Review: Heaven and Hell Are They For Real? (Hudson)
In Heaven and Hell: Are They For Real? Christopher D. Hudson seeks to provide answers to some of the most common questions regarding the afterlife. Books engaging heaven and hell have been fairly common since Rob Bell’s Love Wins, and Hudson offers another work from the broadly evangelical camp by drawing upon scripture, personal experience,Continue reading “Book Review: Heaven and Hell Are They For Real? (Hudson)”
Pursuing Veritas 