The Significance of Place in the Contemporary Theological Discourse of Heaven

Abstract

This study will offer a critical assessment of the hearings of heaven in contemporary theological discourse. After engaging with various eschatological perspectives that pertain to the contemporary discussion of heaven, I will demonstrate that there is an urgent need in eschatology to focus not only on the reality of heaven “at hand” but also on the Christian hope of bodily resurrection and new creation “not yet.” By building upon the work of various theologians, I will argue that the marginalization of place-centred thinking in theology has had a dangerous effect on the contemporary hearing of heaven. As a result, a biblical depiction of the future heaven has either been distorted because of a platonic understanding or under-emphasized by way of the myth of progress. By considering the urban imagery in Revelation 21:1-4, I will demonstrate that Jerusalem should not only be interpreted as God’s people in place but also the place believers will inherit in the future.