1. Galadriel says:

    There’s so much worth reflecting on here…but I really should be working on homework. Note to self: reply later. For now, I want to say that it’s so easy to turn towards response one. Especially if the thing is  something you really need–cell phone, computer….

  2. Paul Lee says:

    I’m curious about your thoughts throughout; your beliefs, past and present, about the After-world; and your hopes for how we may honor and praise our perfect, magnificent Savior after He brings His New Heavens to New Earth, to dwell with mankind (Rev. 21).

     
    I think of speculative stories as vague expressions of truths that are invisible but real to us in this form of existence.  I speculate that in the ultimate Heaven (and hell) these once-invisible truths will be manifest as literal realities.  For instance, I think the chaos of rebellion against God’s Law is ultimately manifested as physical, eternal flames in Hell.  Likewise, I speculate that all the invisible truths about redemption and unimaginable wonder will become literally real in Heaven.  I don’t think we will be able to create anything over and above that.  In fact, I think each of us might see our deepest longings and inspirations take on material form.
     
    But that’s just a thought.  Mr. Burnett’s speculation sounds very reasonable and compelling, too.  I still like mine a little better, though. 😉
     

    There’s so much worth reflecting on here…but I really should be working on homework.

     
    Me, too!  Bye.

    • I speculate that in the ultimate Heaven (and hell) these once-invisible truths will be manifest as literal realities. […] I speculate that all the invisible truths about redemption and unimaginable wonder will become literally real in Heaven.

      Definitely I’d agree. But would God do everything all at once?

      Surely He would keep things getting better and better, more incredible, more fantastic, in all our futures — leaving us plenty to speculate about in our stories in the present. …

       

  3. I never thought about enjoying and worshipping being the same thing. That’s an interesting thought. I know the catechism says man’s chief end is to glorify God and *enjoy Him* forever, but I didn’t equate that with worship. I do believe that everything we do unto God, even the most menial task, becomes an act of worship! That being said, though, I think there is a difference between enjoying a “thing” and worshipping its Creator. The two can go hand in hand, certainly. But if enjoying “things” can be worship, “worship” could be downgraded to a mere happy feeling completely unrelated to God. And that destroys the meaning of the word, in my humble opinion. Thoughts?

    “I’m curious about your thoughts throughout; your beliefs, past and present, about the After-world; and your hopes for how we may honor and praise our perfect, magnificent Savior after He brings His New Heavens to New Earth, to dwell with mankind (Rev. 21).”

    Wow, this could be long…here goes! 😀

    I firmly believe that the After-world will be as “real” and physical as our world today, and I think we will eat, drink, fellowship, live in houses, create art of all kinds, build things, explore the world/universe, etc. just as we do now, but without sin (how glorious that thought!). I think we will become the people God meant us to be, unhampered by any of the old sin or the struggles of this fallen world. And all throughout we will have perfect, constant communion with God, and be able to fellowship with our Savior in the flesh. And I love your point that we will continue learning!

    I, for one, love the thought that – with all the “time” of eternity! – we might be able to meet, talk to, and really get to know ALL of God’s people from all of history, even on a personal level. That idea is so amazing to me!

    On the more speculative end of things, and regarding fiction – I actually don’t usually imagine myself writing fiction in heaven. Not knowing and only able to imagine, I tend to speculate on the “safe” side and imagine that I will move on to one of my other writing habits: hymns and worship music. That’s something I *know* I can glorify God with in the New Creation! But if there IS fiction in eternity, I would probably continue crafting stories, too. 🙂 I’m not much concerned about it, knowing that whatever God has planned will be utterly incredible and will completely blow our minds!

    This is maybe a little off topic, but my favorite description of the coming of the New Heavens and Earth came about during a Bible study with some friends; we were talking about the glorious union of Christ and the glorified church when my sister-in-law suddenly lit up with excitement and burst out, “It will be like the most epic wedding party EVER!!” Ever since then, that’s kind of what I’ve imagined – a huge, joyous wedding reception. 🙂 After all, human marriage is supposed to be a picture of our spiritual union with Christ! And of course, after the initial joy of the wedding itself, the bride and groom embark on a lifetime of growing closer and getting to know one another better. Further up and further in!

    In Him,
    Bethany J.

    P.S. I really hope to explore this topic a bit on my own blog soon!

    • I never thought about enjoying and worshipping being the same thing. That’s an interesting thought. I know the catechism says man’s chief end is to glorify God and *enjoy Him* forever, but I didn’t equate that with worship.

      Bethany: perhaps tomorrow I’ll have more thoughts in response to your responses, but for now (and with The Two Towers paused in the other room) I might suggest: put Desiring God by John Piper on your Christmas wish list. 😀 He delves into the whole “worship as enjoyment” concept, not just as a System based on the Westminster confession, but as a crucial element of Scripture’s “plot” and how we interact with God. In worshiping Him, we enjoy Him, and vice-versa.

      Piper has more popularly termed this “Christian Hedonism,” that is, living to get more of God Himself, and making that our greatest pursuit. While some may not like the term, I’m okay with it, and its hyperbole gets folks thinking — and even better, checking further into it! And to me, all this is “historically” one and the same issue. It was the same year that I read Heaven that I read Desiring God. The former is more specific; the latter is more general, and even more directly applicable now.

      I can also heartily recommend Desiring God’s website. All their resources, and even many of their books — including Desiring God itself — are free online.

      Back later …

  4. Martin LaBar says:

    As always, thanks for your work!

What do you think?