Heaven: It's Not the End of the World

This is a well-written book but as with a lot of books on heaven, when they go into the so called intermediate state they are on very shaky ground indeed.I think there is a reason why the Bible does not have much to say about the intermediate state, and that is probably because there is no intermediate state. Theologians have created that mainly because they don't know what happens to people between the time when they die and the time when they are resurrected. For a fascinating book on this so called intermediate state, see the book "Journey out of Time" by Arthur C. Custance. I believe his piece of the theological puzzle (about the intermediate state) fits perfectly.

I read this along with N.T. Wright's Surprised by Hope. The ultimate point of both books is that the second coming of Christ will bring in a new heaven and earth united together and our existence will be a physical one in the fulfillment of the kingdom that Christ inaugurated in his death and resurrection. This author quotes Wright frequently from some lectures he attended, but adds his own insights as well. The two books have changed my understanding and perspective of what will be when Christ returns and His purpose and ministry leading up to the Cross.

Lawrence examines the various passages that speak about the new earth. He suggests that after the return of Christ the earth will be renewed and that people will live on the earth in resurrected bodies, as opposed to being detached spirits in heaven.

I did not personally like the book, but that was because I had to read it for a college class. The book came as described and shipping was 5/5.

A fresh look at what the Bible's teaching on heaven.This book challenged some of my Sunday School ideas.

The author tags onto the apron strings of heavy-weight writer N T Wright in taking a literalist premillennial? view of heaven and of the "new heaven and new earth". That the NT reference to the new heaven and new earth might well be as symbolic as the seven-day creation and the ark of Noah etc is not considered. Furthermore, the author blithely assumes that our resurrection will be physical. But Jesus was resurrected into a spiritual state, although for his remaining pre-ascension days on earth he could manifest a physicality in order to engage with his disciples in real-world situations. Surely we will be in the same spiritual state as Jesus? In addition, the author posits for the resurrected a sort-of la-la land, a never-never land, of an eternity on a new earth which knows no evil, no death, no decay etc ... will the trees not lose their leaves? will we not sweat and hurt ourselves as we dig and plant and gather food ... will planet earth really not be destroyed with the inevitable collapse of the solar system?? Frankly, I wouldn't WANT to live forever on a new earth. And I can't see why God would want to have us living endlessly on a new earth within time-space. The most sensible and not unbiblical view of our future is surely that after death we leave space-time and enter the domain of God and enjoy the fellowship of other believers and our Lord.

This book is very easy to read, presents the facts clearly and then moves onto mild speculation which I found made me think and want to investigate further.

If you are tired of all the nonsense that is being spewed out from the pulpits in the majority of mainstream churches today, then this book is for you. The author superbly debunks many myths and false biblical doctrines that over time have made their mark as "tradition" and have this become embedded in the minds of many Christians. Assumptions that we are to live on in heaven forever after we die are dealt with in this book.The book takes the reader back to the authentic, true and original hope that Paul through his epistles was projecting to his readers. The response to this book will be astounding to most believers because it is definitely something not taught by pastors. Lawrence is a very trustworthy man of God who has shown from this book that he puts truth before popularity. For those who have lost a loved one, this book will provide a fresh hope that nothing is lost, only soon to be gained in the renewed heaven and earth. Very well worth the read.

Heaven is a mystery & yet the author helps us understand something of the mystery. I’ve re-read the book a number of times & have been inspired each time. The best is yet to come!

I chose this book because I wanted to know what the Bible has to say about what happens when we die. The book is very easy to read, being divided into headed sections, easy to understand. Most importantly, the author backs up his writing with many quotes from the Bible.This book has taught me such a lot about Heaven and God's promised New Earth. Our next life is definitely to be looked forward to! So encouraging!One small point of criticism - it would have been more convenient if the numbered references throughout the chapters could have been printed as footnotes on each page, so that the reader didn't keep having to turn to the list at the end of the chapter to check where references were from.This is a book with a great message & I recommend it highly.

I found the reading of this book interesting as well as comforting for those who have concerns about this subject.