Southwold Lent Lectures 2019 Heaven, Hell, or Somewhere In Between Southwold Lent Lectures 2019 Heaven, Hell, or Somewhere In Between? Where Do I Go When I Die? H. G. M. Williamson
Beyond anyone’s experience
Beyond anyone’s experience Beyond time and space
Beyond anyone’s experience Beyond time and space No longer taught during Advent
What is Hell? The Traditional View
What is Hell? The Traditional View Universalism
What is Hell? The Traditional View Universalism Conditional Immortality
So what about heaven? Essential to link with last week: Resurrection of Jesus anticipates end time
So what about heaven? Essential to link with last week: Resurrection of Jesus anticipates end time His resurrection as ‘firstfruits’
So what about heaven? Essential to link with last week: Resurrection of Jesus anticipates end time His resurrection as ‘firstfruits’ ‘the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting’ —discontinuity —continuity
1 Corinthians 15 Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (v. 50): not just resuscitation (discontinuity)
1 Corinthians 15 • Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (v. 50): not just resuscitation (discontinuity) • End time change (vv. 51–52): trumpet; raised; changed
1 Corinthians 15 Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (v. 50): not just resuscitation (discontinuity) End time change (vv. 51–52): trumpet; raised; changed Mortal ‘puts on’ immortality (v. 53)
1 Corinthians 15 Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (v. 50): not just resuscitation (discontinuity) End time change (vv. 51–52): trumpet; raised; changed Mortal ‘puts on’ immortality (v. 53) Death swallowed up in victory (v. 54)
What Happens In Between? What is clear: Philippians 1:23 2 Corinthians 5:8 Luke 23:43
What Happens In Between? What is clear: Philippians 1:23 2 Corinthians 5:8 Luke 23:43 Not soul sleep Not purification or punishment
What Happens In Between? What is clear: Philippians 1:23 2 Corinthians 5:8 Luke 23:43 Not soul sleep Not purification or punishment What is not clear: Problem of time Problem of state/condition
The Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10 as explained by 1 Corinthians 3:10–15) Foundation: ‘builder will be saved’
The Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10 as explained by 1 Corinthians 3:10–15) Foundation: ‘builder will be saved’ Building as an image
The Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10 as explained by 1 Corinthians 3:10–15) Foundation: ‘builder will be saved’ Building as an image Differing materials, tested by fire
The Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10 as explained by 1 Corinthians 3:10–15) Foundation: ‘builder will be saved’ Building as an image Differing materials, tested by fire Reward for what endures Application to the final state
Impact Now!
For further reading Gerhard Lohfink, Is This All There Is For further reading Gerhard Lohfink, Is This All There Is? On Resurrection and Eternal Life (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2018) Tom Wright, Surprised by Hope (London: SPCK, 2007) Anthony Thistleton, Life After Death: A New Approach to the Last Things (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2012)