Tag Archives: early church

Back in ’02, Newsweek did a cover article about the idea of “heaven.” It started, as I remember, with some reflections on the differing views of heaven held by the variety of people on the ill-fated airplane flights of 9/11, including those of the terrorists. This prompted me to wonder: what did the early church think about heaven? And I posted the following newsletter on www.christianhistory.net.

As this week’s Newsweek cover article insists, “heaven” is a powerful and pervasive word. It has been used to motivate people of many faiths in many ways: To instill character and strengthen resolve. To build community and spur change. To steel terrorists and comfort victims. It is easy to imagine this word, as the writers of the Newsweek article do, on the lips of both the hijackers of American Airlines Flight 11 and many of the passengers.

Apparently, although ministers in mainline Christian churches in America don’t preach much about heaven, 75 percent of Americans believe they’ll go there-if they’re good. Evangelicals talk more about the subject, believing that only faith in Christ can put them on the “highway to heaven.” And most folks expect that once through the gates, they will see not only their Lord, but also their loved ones (for some, including their pets).

For thoughtful Christians, all of this raises the question, “What did the early church believe about heaven?” The answer draws together both divine communion and human reunion.

For the apostles, heaven-as-divine-communion was a given. Indeed, in the New Testament the word “heaven” is often used to stand for God himself (Luke 15:21; Matt. 21:25, 23:22; John 3:27). Continue reading →