Exploring Heaven: What Great Christian Thinkers Tell Us About Our Afterlife with God

by Arthur O. Roberts

"If you have ever wondered whether the idea of heaven is merely a theoretical human construct, then this book is for you. If you have ever entertained doubts or questions about a future existence after this life, then this book is for you. If you have ever thought of heaven's residents as rather dull, ethereal beings perched on billowing clouds strumming golden harps, then this book is for you. If you have ever imagined heaven to be simply one never-ending worship service, then this book is for you." -- from the Introduction by Richard J. Foster As long as people have lived, they have dreamed and wondered about the life that comes after this one. In Exploring Heaven , Arthur O. Roberts distills the best of Christian thought and speculation to answer the age-old questions about eternal life. Drawing from a wealth of timeless wisdom, Roberts not only sketches out the overwhelming evidence that eternal life is a reality, he also describes everything from heaven's location and its inhabitants to the nature and rhythm of eternal life. Speculating about heaven can be a risky business, but Roberts is firmly grounded in Christian tra-dition and classical scholarship. Part philosopher and part pastor, he employs biblical evidence, scientific proofs, personal anecdotes, and philo-sophical musings to create a complete and prag-matic picture of life after death. While the heaven he depicts is a place filled with joy and worship, it is hardly a fairyland of clouds and harps where the saved lounge about for eternity. Instead, he believes humans will work, play, socialize, and learn, continuing the process of discipleship started on earth. And unlike philosophers who dismiss physi-cal bodies as so much excess baggage, Roberts be-lieves that we will continue to inhabit our (greatly enhanced) bodies after death. Indeed, we will live much as we do now, with one key heaven will be free of sin. Both pragmatic and celebratory, equal parts wise and inspiring, Exploring Heaven will appeal to everyone who has ever wondered about the nature of eternal life.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2003

Reviews

[Richard Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Wonderful.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I re-read this because we are discussing Rob Bell's book in Sunday school class. Roberts has a gracious, lively style and brings in the entire history of thought about Christian heaven. Worth reading if you're interested in the topic and can stick with the philosophy. Roberts was a former professor at George Fox and comes from the Reformed tradition.