A Brief History of Heaven (Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion) [Paperback]

Alister E. McGrath (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0631233547 | ISBN-13: 978-0631233541 | Publication Date: February 12, 2003 | Edition: 1

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Christians throughout history have imagined heaven in many diverse ways: a celestial city (sometimes called the "New Jerusalem"); a kingdom where God resides on a throne; a perpetual feast with an abundance of food and drink; a garden of paradise. Heaven has also served different theological purposes as a consolation for earthly suffering, a reward for good works or a promise of reunion with loved ones. After many years of studying Christianity's enormous body of historical literature on heaven, author and theologian McGrath notes at least one common theme that unites all these different visions and purposes: "The Christian concept of heaven is iconic, rather than intellectual-something that makes its appeal to the imagination, rather than the intellect, which calls out to be visualized rather than merely understood." Herein lay the rich possibilities and contemplative pleasures of this historically detailed discussion. McGrath, a professor of historical theology at Oxford University, organizes most of his narrative around the prevailing "visuals" of heaven, and how these have influenced Christian spirituality. After all, he notes, "It is much easier to reflect upon an image than an idea." From the way Christians built churches to the music they wrote for hymnals, the ever-morphing images of heaven have shaped this religion enormously. Though clearly a scholar, McGrath transcends the drone of the academic dissertation, offering an accessible and thorough narrative. Using the rich visual imagery of heaven, McGrath has created a fascinating kaleidoscope for viewing the evolution of Christian worship.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

‘Alister McGrath invariably combines enormous scholarship with an accessible and engaging style. This book is no exception - a splendid survey of a centrally important subject, covering theology and the arts with equal grace and clarity.’ Dr Rowan Williams, The Archbishop of Canterbury

"Bringing together literature, theology, politics and the arts, this fascinating book traces the remarkable influence that the idea of heaven has had - and continues to have - on western culture." Publishing News

"It is delightfully lucid and insightful...Recommended for large public libraries as well as academic libraries offering a variety of Christian religious courses." Joyce Smothers, Library Journal

"Though clearly a scholar, McGrath transcends the drone of the academic dissertation, offering an accessible and thorough narrative. Using the rich visual imagery of heaven, McGrath has created a fascinating kaleidoscope for viewing the evolution of Christian worship." Publishers Weekly

"Pick of the week...It's an ambitious, immensely accessible, erudite and entertaining exploration of the way the idea of heaven has been constructed over the centuries." The Saturday Age

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (February 12, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631233547
• ISBN-13: 978-0631233541
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #372,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alister E. McGrath is a historian, biochemist, and Christian theologian born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A longtime professor at Oxford University, he now holds the chair in theology, ministry, and education at the University of London. He is the author of several books on theology and history, including Christianity's Dangerous Idea, In the Beginning, and The Twilight of Atheism. He lives in Oxford, England, and lectures regularly in the United States.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Brief History of Heaven, November 3, 2004

By 

Joel Barnes - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Brief History of Heaven (Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion) (Paperback)

As is sometimes said, "There's more than one way to skin a cat." In a similiar vein, the topic of heaven can be broached from multiples angles. If you take nothing else from Dr. Alister McGrath's book, _A Brief History of Heaven_, you will at the very least learn that the Christian concept of heaven can be thought of in different ways.

_A Brief History of Heaven_ is a unique little book (184 pages) where theology meets the arts. McGrath provides a nice blend of theological reflection on heaven with a mapped development of Christian conceptions of heaven throughout the Church's history. This latter feature often takes the form of rich citations. I personally found these extra-biblical references enriching, not to mention nostalgic. After all, many of the classic works mentioned I had taken in my introductory course to English Literature in first-year university. For example, McGrath draws on authors like Dante Alighieri, John Donne, George Herbert, John Milton, John Bunyan, Matthew Arnold, and others, not to mention classic works like _Sir Gawain and the Green Knight_, _Beowulf_, _Everyman_, etc.

McGrath spends the first two of six chapters discussing perhaps the two primal images of heaven in Christian thought: Heaven as a city (the City of God) and as a garden (Paradise). The reader cannot help but be gripped by the fact that, "...the Christian concept of heaven is iconic, rather than intellectual - something that makes its appeal to the imagination, rather than the intellect, which calls out to be visualized rather than merely understood." (McGrath, 2003, p. 166)

In the middle chapters of _A Brief History of Heaven_, McGrath veers off the beaten path somewhat and looks at how the Christian's longing for heaven is satisifed and, perhaps more fundamentally, why such a desire arises in the first place.

In chapter five, McGrath examines the notion of heaven as a place of rest and consolation for those, who have experienced grief and sorrow in this life such as at the loss of a loved one. _A Brief History of Heaven_ concludes with due attention given to the profound question of how Christians are to hold onto this longing for heaven when once they finally meet up with it.

Admittedly, this book is not for everyone. If the reader is looking for a purely biblical or theological treatment of the doctrine of heaven, then (s)he is best to look elsewhere. For those who earnestly desire a work that will arouse the imagination and create a homesickness for heaven, however, McGrath may meet the doctor's orders. I think _A Brief History of Heaven_ will serve those readers best, who are looking for a work that will point them in other directions as they pursue the topic of heaven. For example, a good exercise would be to track down and read the different literary works McGrath makes reference to.

Regardless of your decision on this book, it should be obvious that as Christians we need to engage our imaginations with the concept of heaven. We need to induce a homesickness for heaven. It is perhaps the irony of twenty-first century evangelicalism that great appeals can be made to non-Christians on the grounds of the hope of heaven that we have, all the while being guilty of gross negligence by giving but sparce details - if any at all - about this heaven we so hope and long for.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It is an interesting journey., February 1, 2004

By 

Jeffrey A. Thompson (Iowa City, IA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Brief History of Heaven (Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion) (Paperback)

McGrath tends to meander in this book, but the side trips are interesting too. McGrath quotes theologians, writers and poets throughout the ages to present their views on heaven. It is a short, but very entertaining and challenging read. McGrath, like C. S. Lewis, makes us yearn for heaven and thus, makes our pilgrimage on earth more bearable.