This morning, I came across this article from the internet version of Time magazine, which contains an interview with Wright about his views on heaven. One of the benefits about this article is that it is a fairly informative summary of Wright's arguments about the nature of resurrection, second coming, restoration of all things, etc. The down side is that it is only a summary of Wright's arguments. There is so much more going on beneath what is stated in this article. One would have to wade through his other writings in order to get a bearing on what he's getting at in this interview.
I would be interested to hear your thoughts not only about this article but this issue in general. I think it is good to deal with these sorts of questions openly and honestly. So, please feel free to create some dialogue in the comment section. I will do what I can to remain abreast with what is said, and contribute some feedback when I can.
8 comments:
Comment #1 - there's a very good possibility that Wright answers this in other places, but where does the final judgment fit into this? Is everyone "resting in God's hands" after death and then judged at a later time or is there a rapture-like pre-judgment that takes place upon each person's death?
Sceva,
If I remember correctly--it's been a while since I've read his position on this--I do not think Wright holds the position that each person experiences individual judgment upon their death. I believe he holds more to the idea of those "in Christ" being in an Abraham's bosom-like state; and that upon Christ's final return, all are brought before the throne and judged accordingly (the Matthew 25.31-46 imagery).
Of course, this raises the more elaborate and philosophical question of "time" from the perspective of God (i.e., CS Lewis' "eternal now") and those who are already in the "spiritual state". If, say, I died next year (2009), and Christ did not return until, say, 3019 (random, I know); do I essentially have to wait 1010 years before judgment, or is that period of time only a moment from the perspective of the "eternal now"?
You said "comment #1"; does that mean you have many more to come? :-)
Comment #2 - This comment may be tangential to the thrust of your post, but...
"Jesus' resurrection marks the beginning of a restoration that he will complete upon his return." This quote along with the more thorough article at Ship of Fools gives the best interpretation and application of the resurrection that I have ever heard.
Blood is the payment for sin, so what was the point of the resurrection? It signifies that Christ did not only come to bring justification, but to make sanctification (moral and social?) possible on earth as we know it.
I actually want to preach an Easter sermon now!
Comment #3 - Do you realize that you haven't posted about anything but eschatology for the last 4 months?
I'm starting to get a little worried that you may become either a) a one-trick pony or b) one of those guys...
Excellent article - I can't wait to read his new book on the subject. I find myself in pretty much complete agreement at this point (having not yet read his fuller exposition of his ideas).
I especially love how he ties our ideas of "life after life after death" to how we live our lives now. I've tried to encourage the same view in my ministry - that the idea of a "new earth" makes what we do on this earth now much more important (as opposed to us looking only to the future). And his emphasis on our own involvement in the restoration of creation helps to explain why it is so important that Christians involve themselves in working for justice, in addition to focusing on evangelism.
Excellent stuff.
Jake,
Thanks for your response. With respect to your comment about the "new earth", I remember hearing Wright say something that was both provocative and controversially spot on. He basically said: Those who are so concerned about (the first) creation are strangely anti-new creation--i.e., a physical new earth. This, as Wright continued, is what justifies their lackadaisical attitude toward environmental issues.
Your comment about Christians becoming more involved in (social) justice couldn't be more true. It is easy to lose sight of the fact that we have a responsibility here on earth to maintain/sustain what God has (essentially) placed in our care. It is also too easy to slide into the mentality of: since we have a spiritual, heavenly home where God runs things, and since he's going to scrap this whole deal here; let's focus on getting where he is. Such a mentality does lead to a lack of concern for the points you mentioned.
Wright's comments about those who are so concerned with "first creation" is pretty dead-on - usually those who make a huge issue out of "how" first creation happened believe that we'll completely leave creation behind at some future point - and therefore do indeed show an astonishing lack of concern for any environmental issues - and often a lack of concern for social justice issues if they don't have something to do with evangelism.
I don't want to be too harsh with such people - if they're correct about the afterlife, it would be hard not to reach the same conclusions. What I love about Wright is that he points to another way of understanding things that is (in my not-so-humble opinion) more true to the biblical text, and at the same times points a way forward for Christian engagement in social justice issues - not because we want to evangelize (although we do), but precisely because Christians are called to live with compassion towards others because it is the right way to live.
You have been tagged! See our blog for details. Hope you are both doing well and that you have a wonderful Easter in store. We are doing good. Next week I am registering our "baby" for school!! Unbelievable!! Spring looks like it will finally happen in our neck of the woods even though we still are having cold mornings. That is pretty much all the news that I can impart for now.
Big hugs,
A
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