The Difference Heaven Makes: Rehearing the Gospel As News

A fresh investigation into the Gospel news of heaven, by one of America’s most prominent theologians. By focusing upon a rehearing of the Gospel news of heaven today, Christopher Morse invites readers to exercise a post-modern permission to listen to this testimony without either the usual modernist earplugs or an uncritical post-modern make believe.

Without attempting to retrace the history of images and interpretations of heaven, Morse seeks rather to draw upon this background to get to the heart of the issue of modern eschatological and apocalyptic discussion by proposing in the foreground a thought experiment. If we hear of heaven as that which is now at hand and coming to pass, in contrast to what Paul calls the form of this world that is passing away, how significant would the consequences be? Morse proceeds to conduct such a retrial of the news of heaven and its present day credibility by considering the influential legacy of a twentieth century trajectory of theology that responded to the provocative claims of Johannes Weiss.

The Difference Heaven Makes is rewarding reading, both for those who may be well versed in this theological background, as well as for others who may be less so, but who nevertheless share equally an interest in giving fresh attention to the So what? question of heaven.