¶ Heaven? Heavens.
I just wrote a long version of my thoughts here, but decided I’d probably better think twice before I publish publicly my thoughts on the subject. So I’ll provide the non-controversial version here.
NT Wright is an Anglican bishop who believes that “heaven” as described in the New Testament is just a temporary stage, not a final destination. It’s not purgatory, but is rather, from this brief interview, exactly what Joseph Smith described as the spirit world.
You can watch it here, on this nice Quaker’s blog.
I always find it mildly funny when non-Mormon scholars read the Bible and come up with “discoveries” that match what Joseph Smith revealed in the early nineteenth century. It is funny because Joseph Smith claimed to teach out of the Bible, but then backed it up with, you know, actual revelation from God that absolutely clarified the point. Joseph Smith didn’t need to prove it from the Bible — why prove what God has said plainly and directly? — but used the Bible as way to help listeners understand a) what he was trying to teach them and b) what a prophet really is supposed to do.
Anyway, I find this funny in the same way I find it funny when people try to justify John Milton’s non-trinitarian views with 21st century church practice. (Here’s the core of it: you can’t. And Milton was right.)
21 June 2008