By Spencer D Gear PhD
Is heaven real or a fantasy? How can any person get there?
There is a liberal Anglican, Peter Sellick, who posts articles online. He has a new one entitled, “Death and the Lords of the Universe” (On Line Opinion, 18 January 2021), That’s a provocative title. Which Lords?
I picked up a statement from this article:
Death is real, a real end and absence that cannot be penetrated. When this is understood, the confidence of “a better place” after death is exposed as a attempt to soften the hard realities of life and therefore to remain a child in the world.[1]
Sellick’s world view of liberalism speaking
So, I responded:[2]
This is your world view speaking. It is far, far from biblical reality which states:
“For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain” (Phil 1:21 NET).
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“Thus we are full of courage and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Cor 5:8 NET).
There is absolute confidence of going to a place of many rooms/mansions for the Christian (John 14:2).
Your problem, Sells, is that you don’t have confidence in the authority of Scripture, so you invent your theology or seek someone else to support your liberalism.
Country music follows your world view.
Country music has a fantasy about heaven. This is one example, sung by its composer, Steve Wariner.[3]
(Image Steve Wariner, Wikimedia)
These are Steve Wariner lyrics:
“Holes In The Floor Of Heaven”
One day shy of eight years old, my grandma passed away
I was a broken hearted little boy, blowing out that birthday cake
How I cried when the sky let go, with a cold and lonesome rain,
Mamma smiled, said don’t be sad child, grandma’s watching you today
Cause there’s holes in the floor of heaven
And her tears are pouring down,
That’s how you know she’s watching,
Wishing she could be here now.[4]
I’m a country music fan and have heard so many songs with a generalised statement about heaven but no biblical evidence.
You fall into a similar category.
The Bible is adamant: There are mansions for believers; to die is gain, and when I’m absent from this frail, mortal body I’ll be present with the Lord.
Absolutely certain no heaven
Another poster jumped in: “Nobody know (sic) what happens after death” [5] Another asked: “How do you know? Can you prove it?”[6]
I responded: “How do you know? What causes you to make this absolutistic statement? Don’t you think it would show more humility if you said: “I’m unsure what happens at death, but I’ll seek some more information.” [7]
Do you want to join me?
Here’s the key for everyone to enter heaven and enjoy salvation forever: “You can’t be saved by believing in anyone else. God has given people no other name under heaven that will save them” (Acts 4:12 NIRV).
Notes
[1] https://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=21273 (Accessed 18 January 2021).
[2] See: Posted by OzSpen, Monday, 18 January 2021 10:02:07 AM. Ibid.
[3] Available at: http://theboot.com/country-songs-about-heaven/ (Accessed 18 January 2021).
[4] Available at: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/stevewariner/holesinthefloorofheaven.html (Accessed 18 January 2021).
[5] Posted by ttbn, Monday, 18 January 2021 10:50:10 AM.
[6] Posted by Mr Opinion, Monday, 18 January 2021 11:25:54 AM
[7] Posted by OzSpen, Monday, 18 January 2021 11:39:21 AM.
Copyright © 2021 Spencer D. Gear. This document last updated at Date: 18 January 2021.
