Heaven? #LOVEWINS Chapter 2

The point of this series of posts is an exercise in how I would answer the questions Rob Bell is asking as if I were in an actual dialogue with someone. This series is not meant to be read as a critique, review, a medium to bash Bell, or a way to prove I am “right.”

Eternal life? Is heaven somewhere else or something we can experience here and now? This is the ultimate question Rob Bell is asking in chapter two of Love Wins.

And yes! Our idea of heaven needs to be rescued from the cultural captivity of gold paved streets, white robes, clouds, harps, and Peter guarding the gate like a bouncer all painted onto a canvas one night when Dante and Thomas Kinkade got drunk.

Eternal life? Bell takes on the Greek word αιων (age). He contends that αιων has multiple meanings in New Testament Greek and does not necessarily mean forever.

What we commonly refered to as “the big red beast” when I studied Greek – The Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament and other Early Literature, defines αιων as:

He is only partially right because in translating Greek, any scholar will tell you that context is key. For αιων to mean “a segment of time as a particular unit of history” it must be translated in context.

For example: ο αιων ουτος is translated as this present age. In this instance αιων does refer to a segment of time only because of its modifiers.

Think of it this way – the word run.

You can go for a run.
Your refrigerator runs.
Your nose can run.
And nobody wants the runs.

Only in context does run carry different meanings. So how a word is used is important.

What does this have to do with heaven?

To give an answer at Bell’s question we must first look at eschatology and not the Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins Left Behind version of the end times.

I contend that the entirety of Scripture is the movement of God in history toward a goal. On the negative side there is judgment. On the positive side, redemption. The extent to which this goal has been realized or remains unrealized remains a mystery, but the Bible assumes a conclusive end. Therefore, followers of Jesus should view history as seen from its end. In other words, eschatology does not provide a map for the future, rather it supplies a criterion for the present. Put another way, eschatology concerns itself not only with the end, but also with the eternal consequences of the present.

C.H. Dodd called this a “realized eschatology.” This realization of the end within history is indicated biblically in several ways. See for example: Mark 1:15, Galatians 4:4, Matthew 12:28, John 3:16-19.

When Jesus came into the world, both judgement and redemption came. What will ultimately be completed is already present in Jesus. When the Word became flesh, God came into history with his ultimate gift and demand. Paradoxically the end has come and has simultaneously has yet to come.

So when we consider that the fact that this present age is a temporary one and our life will last forever, we have strong motivation for Christlike living in the present. For John saw a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1).

So if heaven is something that can be obtained in this life what do we have to look forward to?

And if there is nothing to look forward to, why should anyone care about anyone or anything?

Carpe diem – seize the day.
Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die.
Forget about the end, heaven is what you make of this life.

A pretty fatalistic way to live don’t you think?

So Heaven? What is it? Where is it?

These are questions I will take a look at in my next post.

One Response to “Heaven? #LOVEWINS Chapter 2”

1. Aaron says:

   March 25, 2011 at 9:30 am

   great stuff…keep it up. curious- has rob stated that a belief in hell is toxic?

   Reply