Paradise Now and Not Yet: Studies in the Role of the Heavenly Dimension in Paul’s Thought with Special Reference to his Eschatology

Dr Lincoln sees three main factors contributing to the Pauline picture of heaven: Paul’s Jewish conceptual background and knowledge of Old Testament and other traditions about heaven; the effect on that inherited background of Paul’s encounter with the risen Saviour and his later visions and revelations of the heavenly Christ; and his apostolic task in moulding the thought and practice of the converts in the churches for which he felt responsible, countering what lie considered to be distorted views or false options. The author analyses passages in Paul’s letters where the concept of heaven plays a significant role, and discusses the relation of the concept to the background of his thought, his views of history, of the cosmos, of the destiny of humanity, and of the nature of Christian existence. As a uniquely full treatment of a neglected aspect of Paul’s thought this monograph makes an important and contemporarily relevant contribution to New Testament studies.