This engaging book by one of today's best-known Christian writers explores the history of heaven, from its origins in biblical writings to its most recent representations.
- A short, accessible book on the history of heaven.
- Draws together representations of heaven by a wide range of writers, theologians, politicians and artists.
- Covers literary works such as Dante's Divine Comedy, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, and the poems of George Herbert.
- Considers discussions by Marx and Freud of heaven's role in society.
- Based on serious scholarship but is ideal for the non-specialist who wants to learn more about the idea of heaven.
- Alister E. McGrath is one of today's best-known Christian writers.
List of Illustrations viii
Preface ix
1 The City: The New Jerusalem 1
Images and the Christian Faith 2
The City of Jerusalem in the Old Testament 7
The City of Jerusalem in the New Testament 10
Augustine of Hippo on the Two Cities 13
The Heavenly City and Medieval Spirituality 17
Pearl and the New Jerusalem 25
John Bunyan’s Heavenly City 29
The Shape of the Heavenly Body 33
2 The Garden: Heaven as Paradise 39
The Quest for the Garden of Eden 41
Paradise in the Bible 43
Early Christian Views of Paradise 47
The Millennium as Paradise 52
Medieval Visions of Paradise 54
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