N.T. Wright: Christian Don't Go to Heaven

[DMcFadden]

D.A. Carson knew N.T. Wright during their student days. Carson claims Wright was a 5 pt. Calvinist and inerrantist. Now he is neither.

 

[RamistThomist]

Beale explains regarding the cosmic symbolism of the torn veil. Noting that the veil had upon it the starry heavens, its tearing would represent the destruction of the old world. The veil's destruction fits admirably with the darkening of the sun, earthquakes, dead rising, etc. at Jesus' death.

Consequently, his resurrection is literally seen as the new creation. So when he tells the thief they are going to paradise, he is in fact leading the thief on the pathway to the new creational Eden.

The Temple and the Church's Mission, 189-190

I like Beale and agree with his position, but the thief on the cross was promised immediate paradise. Lazarus in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus was already in paradise. Certainly heaven is in the future state but all believers at death are at home with Christ.

I think that was my point. I am arguing against a Kantian, ghostly view of heaven.

 

[RamistThomist]

D.A. Carson knew N.T. Wright during their student days. Carson claims Wright was a 5 pt. Calvinist and inerrantist. Now he is neither.

Inerrant has a different meaning in his circles than it does in ours. He would have no problem saying the bible is infallible. In his circle that is tantamount to saying inerrant. Having read 4,000 pages of Wright, you cannot fault him on his commitmment to Scripture.

 

[RamistThomist]

he is saying the exact same thing that Anthony Hoekema is saying: We live forever in the renewed earth. Heaven is not a neo-platonic abstraction where we airily float on clouds discussing Plato and the Confession.

This is also Russell Moore's view at SBTS.

Well some of us would not mind floating around discussing Plato

Plato is the enemy of biblical creationism. Read Phaedo and Phaedra. His soma sema says it all for me.

 

[holyfool33]

I blogged about this months a go quite a sad state of affairs.

 

[RamistThomist]

Could you be more specific?

 

[DMcFadden]

D.A. Carson knew N.T. Wright during their student days. Carson claims Wright was a 5 pt. Calvinist and inerrantist. Now he is neither.

Inerrant has a different meaning in his circles than it does in ours. He would have no problem saying the bible is infallible. In his circle that is tantamount to saying inerrant. Having read 4,000 pages of Wright, you cannot fault him on his commitmment to Scripture.

Yes, I'm aware of the British reluctance to use the term. However, Carson was saying more than this. He said that when Wright was at Oxford and Carson was at Cambridge, they used to speak of their theological positions quite often. Back then, Carson claims that Wright was a 5 pointer AND an inerrantist. Nowadays, Carson says you can really tick Wright off if you get him on the subject of inerrance (that "strange American doctrine").

Carson opined on Wright in a three part lecture I am listening to currently regarding the NPP.

 

[Backwoods Presbyterian]

he is saying the exact same thing that Anthony Hoekema is saying: We live forever in the renewed earth. Heaven is not a neo-platonic abstraction where we airily float on clouds discussing Plato and the Confession.

This is also Russell Moore's view at SBTS.

Well some of us would not mind floating around discussing Plato

Plato is the enemy of biblical creationism. Read Phaedo and Phaedra. His soma sema says it all for me.

Notice I did not say "believing Plato" but "discussing Plato"...

 

[Stephen]

Beale explains regarding the cosmic symbolism of the torn veil. Noting that the veil had upon it the starry heavens, its tearing would represent the destruction of the old world. The veil's destruction fits admirably with the darkening of the sun, earthquakes, dead rising, etc. at Jesus' death.

Consequently, his resurrection is literally seen as the new creation. So when he tells the thief they are going to paradise, he is in fact leading the thief on the pathway to the new creational Eden.

The Temple and the Church's Mission, 189-190

I like Beale and agree with his position, but the thief on the cross was promised immediate paradise. Lazarus in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus was already in paradise. Certainly heaven is in the future state but all believers at death are at home with Christ.

I think that was my point. I am arguing against a Kantian, ghostly view of heaven.

Thanks, brother. I would agree with you on that.