N.T. Wright had an interview with Time. I suppose it's old news by now -- that he said all this wonderful stuff about heaven. Right out in plain sight, destroying the long-held belief of wraith-like living on streets of gold with bad hymns and droning prayers forever and ever. (He didn't say it quite like that.(http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1710844,00.html) I read it and just stared into space for awhile afterwards hoping when heaven happens, or "life after life" as he calls it, I'll be assigned some sort of environmental clean-up job, like scraping oil off rocks in the Puget sound. Or maybe I'll be given a huge pile of rocks and get to build a drystone wall. Seriously. That'd be so fine. Frederick Buechner writes, "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” It's wonderful when you get those moments, it's what I want, but that's not my everyday. I'm more patient holding out, waiting with N.T. and others for restoration and consummation. Margie
Monday, March 3, 2008
Stake the earth on heaven
N.T. Wright had an interview with Time. I suppose it's old news by now -- that he said all this wonderful stuff about heaven. Right out in plain sight, destroying the long-held belief of wraith-like living on streets of gold with bad hymns and droning prayers forever and ever. (He didn't say it quite like that.(http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1710844,00.html) I read it and just stared into space for awhile afterwards hoping when heaven happens, or "life after life" as he calls it, I'll be assigned some sort of environmental clean-up job, like scraping oil off rocks in the Puget sound. Or maybe I'll be given a huge pile of rocks and get to build a drystone wall. Seriously. That'd be so fine. Frederick Buechner writes, "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” It's wonderful when you get those moments, it's what I want, but that's not my everyday. I'm more patient holding out, waiting with N.T. and others for restoration and consummation. Margie
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4 comments:
i like your description of the "long-held belief" of heaven - you said it well. i think that was my view of heaven growing up. sad, isn't it?
i read a bit of wright's new book at the bookstore last night. it is very good. and it is exciting to think of "life after life" as he calls it, indeed how scripture indicates it will be.
Goodness, that is quite an article! I dig N.T. Wright.
Kate, Did you also feel guilty for not wanting to go to heaven? Not that you wanted hell. The hope that comes when you learn it'll be the renewal and restoration of what should be...well, I love that.
Jenni, I agree. He's fresh air.
mlh
i did indeed feel guilty. even as a little girl i remember that guilt bothering me and not wanting to admit it anyone. again, how sad! i hope to learn how to better convey renewal/restoration to my little boys...and myself, for that matter.
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