Thoughts on Heaven and Earth

"Heaven"

When one considers a holistic reading of the story of redemption presented in scripture the term "heaven" can be seen as it is presented biblically. In other words, "heaven" is not the locale for the eternal destination of humanity, as it is commonly presented in popular thought among contemporary Christians. Moreover, the term needs to be understood in its biblical context and then used accordingly. According to the story [the biblical metanarrative], heaven is part of the created order along with earth. Most of us have no trouble understanding what is meant by "earth." It is a part of the story that we have a direct relationship with, it is tangible. Heaven, on the other hand, is not as accessible, prima facie, as the earth. What then is heaven? And where is it? First, let me address the common misconception of "heaven" which was referred to earlier. There are multitudinous Christians today and in the recent past who have be taught or formulated a conception of "heaven" that is not at all accurate to the biblical story from which they claim to take it. The notion of "heaven" so construed can most fundamentally be asserted as the eternal hope, the final destination, or the end goal of human existence. More importantly to the view is the claim that the eternal destiny is not on earth, but rather, in "heaven." Several popular hymns come to mind that vividly illustrate the common ideaolgy that heaven is our final destination; "When the Roll is Called up Yonder," by James M. Black; "When We All Get to Heaven," by Emily D. Wilson and Eliza E. Hewitt; and "This World is Not My Home," by Albert E. Brumley, to name a few. These songs articulate a view of heaven as humanity leaving earth for a better place; heaven. The songs are filled with hopeful longing for the day when we will leave here because we are "just a passing through." Such a picture of heaven has been the marquee of Christian hope for millions. It is painful to see how misguided so many Christians have been. For some added support, let us consider Dr. J. Richard Middleton's research and affirmations:

"Heaven" was never part of God's purposes for humanity in the beginning of
the story and has no intrinsic role as the final destiny of human
salvation...there is not one single reference in the entire biblical canon
(Old or New Testament) to "heaven" as the eternal destiny of the believer.
While this idea has a vastly important role in popular Christian
imagination (and even in some theologies), not once does Scripture
itself actually say that the righteous will live forever in "heaven" [1] p. 86

On the practical side, many view life as a mundane task to fill the time until we reach heaven. Viewing earthly living as a temporary task is a ghastly mistake on behalf of humanity. If heaven is not our eternal hope or final resting place, then where is it? And, more urgently, to what end then is our task on earth?

"Earth"

Earth, is our ultimate locale. Why earth, and what happened to heaven? Now we are getting to the point where one's reading of Scripture [or lack thereof] begins to make a significant impact in understanding of the two terms. Let us consider the "new" role of heaven according to a holistic view of Scripture. Such a view is more properly laid out again by Dr. Middleton:

In Scripture, the term "heaven" (or
the "heavens") represents, first of all,
part of the created universe: "In the
beginning God created the heavens and
the earth" (Genesis 1:1). In this
context, "heaven" certainly refers to that
aspect of creation understood to be
more transcendent (the realm beyond ordinary
human access). This is why Scripture
portrays heaven as the throne of
God—with earth as God’s footstool (Isaiah
66:1‐2), an image, paradoxically, not only
of God’s transcendence but also ofGod’s
immanence (since he has chosen to
dwell within the created order).41

Heaven is also the realm—in
contradistinction to earth—where God’s will
is perfectly accomplished prior to the
eschaton. This is the assumption behind
the prayer Jesus taught his disciples:
"Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven"
(Matthew 6:10). It is the biblical
eschatological hope that one day God’s
salvation (which is being prepared in
heaven) will be manifest fully on
earth. Then earth will be fully
conformed to heaven. [2] p. 96

With a more biblically grounded understanding of heaven in place, let us move to consider the role of humanity and our relationship to earth. When considering earth in light of one's "new" view of heaven it becomes inherent that everything that humanity does matters. More specifically it matters because we are in relationship with the earth. As Middleton informs us, the story of Scripture is one of redemption by God and humanity of all creation; human and non-human. Through the process of redemption God is seeking to restore all of creation, not just humanity.


[1] and [2] J. Richard Middleton. "A New Heaven and a New Earth: The Case for a Holistic Reading of the Biblical Story of Redemption." Journal for Christian Theological Research 11 (2006) 73-96.



See the full article here:


http://www.luthersem.edu/ctrf/JCTR/Vol11/Middleton_vol11.pdf

A Philosophy Shop?

Yes! A Philosophy Shop. The following is my response to a post of which I have included the link:

http://faithandtreason.com/index.php?option=com_myblog&show=The-Philosophy-Shop.html&Itemid=43

Your comments and ideas resonate with me, and I applaud your mission. Yes, I beleive there is a market for a philosophy shop. To me the ideal philosophy shop would be a pub. Not just your run of the mill pub, a truly authentic European style pub (similar to many found in Great Britain albeit not limited to that region). The beverages would flow from the taps just as freely as the ideas would from our minds and mouths. You could grab a smoke filled booth with C.S. Lewis, and discuss the problem of pain as he puffed on his pipe. Pull up a stool at the bar and throw back a shot of skepticism with David Hume. At a nearby table down a stein with Wittgenstein while giving meaning to your words. All of this takes place in the philosophy shop. Maybe those great thinkers will not physically be there when the shop finally opens, but you will most likely hear their ideas and influences in the endless banter. One key ingredient that will distinguish the philosophy shop from many other supposed wisdom loving shops will be the singing. Every night one song will drown out the drinking and ideas for a few minutes,

The Philosopher's Drinking Song:

Immanuel Kant was a real pissant Who was very rarely stable.

Heidegger, Heidegger was a boozy beggar Who could think you under the table.

David Hume could out-consume Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, [some versions have 'Schopenhauer and Hegel']

And Wittgenstein was a beery swine Who was just as schloshed as Schlegel.

There's nothing Nietzsche couldn't teach ya 'Bout the raising of the wrist.

Socrates, himself, was permanently pissed.

John Stuart Mill, of his own free will, On half a pint of shandy was particularly ill.

Plato, they say, could stick it away-- Half a crate of whisky every day.

Aristotle, Aristotle was a bugger for the bottle.

Hobbes was fond of his dram,

And René Descartes was a drunken fart. 'I drink, therefore I am.'

Yes, Socrates, himself, is particularly missed, A lovely little thinker, But a bugger when he's pissed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQycQ8DABvc&feature=related

A Lament

LORD, you have known me from my first days,
From the first time that I cried out you heard me.
Now you refuse to lend your ear to my plea.
I can no longer see your plan for me.
When times of great need come to me you are not within distance of my cries.
You allow me to stumble into the darkness and call out in vain.
The measure of my frustration increases,
Now it is I who refuse to call out to you.
All I asked of you was for someone to help me along the way,
A mentor, a teacher;
For more iron to sharpen the iron,
But you refused my request.
Now I am left to struggle on my own,
Turning away from you, increasing my struggles and stymieing my growth.
I had longed to know you and serve you,
But righteousness eluded me and I was unable to be sanctified on my own.
And when I was broken of my own stubborn pride and desires, I called out to you.
Because you did not hear me, my cries were in vain.
I longer care to call out your name.
Will I have to call out and groan for four hundred years,
As the Israelites did in slavery for you to hear me?
Why do you deny me the things that I am passionate about?
If you are a God of justice then how is there unfairness in the world?
How is it that you bless the wicked and deny blessing upon the righteous?
If there is justice within this then I cannot see it.
Show me your will.
Show me your way.
Show me your grace.
Show me your mercy.
Show me your justice.
And now Lord, show me your forgiveness.
Forgive me and love me as you loved your Son.
Restore to me your desires for my heart.
Grant me the honor of relationship with You.
Renew our friendship and give it intimacy.
Allow me to consider your faithfulness in all things.
As you heard the cries of the Israelites long ago,
So also you will hear my plea this day.
You will never forget or forsake me.
Remind me of your awesome presence.
Let me see all the wonders you have provided and allow me to see them clearly.
It is through your grace and love that I have been given life eternally.

- Justin 4/18/2006

Numero Uno

"To think is to confine yourself to a single thought that one day stands still like a star in the world's sky." - Martin Heidegger

My intentions are to present the numerous thoughts that permeate my mind in prose so that they may not be confined to my being nor stand still like a star in the sky. Rather, I hope my thoughts will be provocative and pervasive so as to move myself and others to action.

Today, I am reflecting on a word, apokatastasis. So often the definitions we contrive fail to render the fullness of a word. Here is an attempt by some to give understanding, if not meaning to the word:

apokatastasis - A Greek word loosely translated as "restoration." In the Old Testament the Hebrew equivalent of the term referred to the return of Israel from exile (see Jer 16.15). In the New Testament apokatastasis speaks of a future time when God in Christ will restore all things in creation according to God's original intention. (italics and bold added)
- Stanley J. Grenz, et al. Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms. InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Ill. 1999: p.13.

I am filled with anxiety as I struggle to find my role in the restoration of creation. There are so many possibilities, so many opportunities. At the same time, there is so little time. How is it that we know when we are truly making a contribution to the restoration process? Perhaps the question is better phrased, why do I feel as though I need to make a "significant" contribution? Then again it must be asked, what is it that I mean by "significant?" Would a Nobel Prize be "significant?" Is feeding the hungry "significant?" Does my notion of a significant contribution entail an end result of human recognition? Should not acts of love and service be carried out in such a way as to not expect any recognition? I do not believe that I have selfish underlying ambitions, rather I believe that I have such a concern for the massive tasks that must be carried out to continue the process of restoration. No, it is not selfish ambition (although one must always be careful to keep such ambitions at bay and not allow them to unknowingly take over your motivations), which is motivation for some, it is a concern for the limited amount of time that I have to make any contribution at all. Frustration grows out of the time constraint because I have not yet found one area to focus my limited time and energy. I see the needs, and the possibilities, however, I have not found the intersection with my own humble abilities to which I can passionately apply myself. The frustration adds to the anxiety because of the time constraints!

Enough of the anxious ramblings, the following posts, will be a series of examinations of my current beliefs. I have not yet examined all of my beliefs in writing, so I am hopeful they will turn out to be coherent!