Introduction: Where Did Our Hope Go?

For many Christians today, the ultimate hope boils down to one thing: going to heaven when they die. We picture souls ascending, leaving behind the troubles of this world for eternal bliss. But has this always been the central focus? A deep dive into Christian history and scripture reveals a fascinating tension. While the Bible paints a vibrant picture of bodily resurrection and a renewed “New Heavens and New Earth,” a powerful current emerged emphasizing the soul’s escape from the material world. Why did the idea of leaving earth behind gain such traction, arguably overshadowing the vision of God restoring His creation and our embodied life within it? Let’s explore this shift and rediscover a hope that’s both ancient and surprisingly relevant.

Key Takeaways

• Shifting Focus: Christian hope historically shifted from an emphasis on bodily resurrection and a renewed creation towards the individual soul’s ascent to a spiritual heaven after death.
• Hellenistic Influence: Greek philosophy, especially Platonic dualism (immortal soul vs. inferior body/matter), significantly influenced early Christian thinkers, providing conceptual tools but also introducing tension with the Bible’s affirmation of creation’s goodness.
• Biblical Vision: Scripture (Genesis, Isaiah, Paul, Revelation) consistently points towards God’s plan to redeem and renew the entire created order, culminating in resurrected humanity living embodied lives in God’s presence on a transformed earth.
• Key Figures & Debates: Theologians like Irenaeus defended physical resurrection against Gnostic denials, while figures like Origen and Augustine, influenced by Platonism, emphasized the soul’s spiritual journey, shaping Western thought.
• Contemporary Recovery: Modern theologians (like N.T. Wright, Malcolm Smith, Jürgen Moltmann) are actively recovering the holistic biblical hope, stressing its importance for Christian life and mission today.

Early Hopes and Competing Visions

Early Christianity, born from Jewish apocalyptic hopes, wasn’t monolithic. Beliefs varied, but a strong thread, seen in figures like Irenaeus and popular movements like millenarianism, anticipated God’s dramatic intervention to restore justice and establish His kingdom on earth, often involving the resurrection of the body. However, competing ideas like Gnosticism radically rejected the material world as evil, seeing salvation purely as the soul’s escape – a view strongly refuted by emerging orthodoxy which championed creation’s goodness and bodily resurrection.

The Greek Dialogue: A Double-Edged Sword

As Christianity spread through the Greco-Roman world, it encountered Hellenistic philosophy, particularly Platonism. Concepts like an immortal soul distinct from a temporary (and often troublesome) body offered early Christians a sophisticated language to discuss life after death. Thinkers like Origen integrated these ideas deeply, sometimes interpreting resurrection in less physical terms. Augustine, hugely influential, used Neoplatonic ideas to explore the soul’s journey to God. While Augustine firmly upheld creation’s goodness and the ultimate bodily resurrection, his powerful emphasis on the soul’s ascent and the “beatific vision” undeniably steered Western focus towards a heavenly, spiritual destiny, especially as his interpretation sidelined literal, earthly millennial hopes.

What Does the Bible Actually Say?

The scriptural narrative arc provides a strong foundation for a world-affirming hope:

• Genesis: Declares God’s material creation “very good,” with humanity made in His image to steward it.
• Prophets (Isaiah): Envision “new heavens and a new earth,” a future of peace, justice, and divine presence withinthe created order.
• Jesus’ Resurrection: Presented not as an escape, but as the “firstfruits” of the new creation – a transformed, physical body demonstrating God’s commitment to redeem matter.
• Paul (Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 15): Speaks of creation “groaning” for liberation alongside believers awaiting the “redemption of our bodies.” He describes the resurrection body not as immaterial, but as a “spiritual body” – the physical body transformed and perfected by God’s Spirit.
• Revelation: Culminates not with souls flying up, but with the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven to earth, signifying God dwelling permanently with resurrected humanity in a renewed cosmos.

Two Models: Escape vs. Renewal

This leads to two contrasting emphases:

1. Soul Escape: Views the body/material world as temporary or flawed, with salvation being the soul’s liberation to a purely spiritual heaven. Resurrection is often downplayed or spiritualized. (Influenced by Platonism, Gnosticism, focus on the intermediate state).
2. Creation Renewed: Affirms the goodness of creation and the body, seeing them as fallen but destined for redemption. Salvation culminates in bodily resurrection within a transformed heaven-and-earth reality. (Rooted in Genesis, Prophets, Jesus’ resurrection, Paul, Revelation).

The historical tension often tilted towards the “soul escape” model due to philosophical influence, pastoral concerns about what happens immediately after death (leading to focus on heaven/hell/purgatory as intermediate states), and influential interpretations.

Hope Renewed Today

Contemporary theologians like Malcolm Smith forcefully argue that the “going to heaven” narrative is a Platonized distortion, urging a return to the biblical hope of bodily resurrection and new creation. Jürgen Moltmann frames eschatology as a “theology of hope” that actively transforms the present. N.T. Wright connects care for our planet directly to the hope for its ultimate renewal, critiquing views that treat the earth as disposable. This recovery emphasizes that our present lives and actions in this world have lasting significance for God’s final restoration.

Conclusion: Why It Matters

So, why did the focus shift? A confluence of factors – the powerful influence of Greek philosophy, responses to differing views, the fading of imminent end-time expectations, pastoral needs, and influential theological syntheses – gradually elevated the soul’s immediate, individual destiny, often overshadowing the grand, corporate, cosmic vision of resurrection and renewal found in scripture.

Yet, the biblical hope for a renewed creation inhabited by resurrected people never vanished. Recovering this integrated vision is more than an academic exercise. It affirms the goodness of our bodies and the material world God made. It grounds our mission not in escaping the world, but in participating in its restoration, working for justice, peace, and healing as foretastes of the coming Kingdom. It reminds us that God’s redemptive plan embraces all He created, offering a robust, world-affirming hope for the future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What’s the main difference between “soul escape” and “creation renewed”?
   • “Soul escape” focuses on the immortal soul leaving the body/material world for a purely spiritual heaven. “Creation renewed” emphasizes God redeeming the entire cosmos, culminating in bodily resurrection and life on a transformed earth where heaven and earth unite.
2. How did Greek philosophy influence Christian ideas about the afterlife?
   • Platonic ideas about an immortal soul separate from and superior to a mortal body provided a framework for discussing life after death but also introduced a tendency to devalue the physical body and material creation, contrasting with the Bible’s affirmation of their goodness.
3. What does the Bible actually say about the ultimate future?
   • The dominant biblical vision points towards bodily resurrection patterned after Jesus, the liberation and renewal of the entire created order (“new heavens and new earth”), and God dwelling permanently with redeemed, embodied humanity on this renewed earth.
4. Why is the concept of bodily resurrection important?
   • It affirms God’s commitment to His original physical creation, including our bodies. It signifies the defeat of death itself, not just escape from it, and points to the ultimate restoration and glorification of the whole human person (body and soul) within God’s renewed world.
5. Does believing in a renewed creation mean we shouldn’t focus on heaven?
   • The “creation renewed” view sees heaven not primarily as our final destination away from earth, but as God’s dimension of reality that will ultimately unite fully with the renewed earth. The hope isn’t either heaven orearth, but the joining of both in the final state where God dwells with His resurrected people. Caring for creation and working for justice now become ways of anticipating that future.

How God Approaches Human Failures 

The Bible often surprises us with its paradoxes, turning our expectations upside down. One of these is the way God approaches human failure—not as something to be avoided at all costs but as the raw material for His purposes. This is illustrated vividly in Luke 18, where Jesus shares a parable about two men who go to the temple to pray. Their approaches—and the outcomes of their prayers—offer deep insights into how God views failure, humility, and righteousness.

Two Men, Two Prayers

The parable introduces us to a Pharisee and a tax collector. Both are seeking to connect with God in the temple, but their attitudes couldn’t be more different. The Pharisee prays confidently, listing his virtues and comparing himself favorably to the tax collector nearby. “God, I thank You that I am not like other people—swindlers, unjust, adulterers—or even like this tax collector,” he proclaims. He goes on to highlight his religious practices: fasting twice a week and paying tithes.

In stark contrast, the tax collector stands at a distance, unable even to lift his eyes to heaven. Overcome by his sense of unworthiness, he beats his chest and prays, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

The Pharisee’s prayer is rooted in his confidence in his own righteousness. He compares himself to others, finding solace in the belief that he is morally superior. The tax collector, however, recognizes his spiritual poverty. He doesn’t justify himself or make excuses—he simply cries out for mercy.

The Outcome: Justified by Humility

Jesus’ conclusion shocks His listeners. It is the tax collector—not the Pharisee—who goes home justified. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted,” Jesus explains.

This parable challenges conventional wisdom about what it means to be “good” or “worthy.” In the Pharisee, we see the danger of trusting in our own efforts to earn God’s approval. He believed his good deeds were enough to secure his righteousness, but his self-reliance blinded him to his need for grace. The tax collector, on the other hand, found justification because of his humility and dependence on God’s mercy.

The Universal Search for Righteousness

Ever since humanity’s exile from the Garden of Eden, people have sought ways to be “right” with God. Across cultures and religions, the search for righteousness has been a central pursuit. Yet this quest is often misguided, as it relies on human efforts rather than divine grace.

Paul reflects on this in Philippians 3, where he recounts his own journey of misplaced confidence. As a devout Pharisee, Paul had once considered his religious zeal a source of spiritual gain. But after encountering Christ, he realized that what he thought was gain was actually loss. His self-reliance had not brought him closer to God but had driven him further away.

Sincerity is not enough if it is misplaced. A sincere pursuit of righteousness, if grounded in the wrong foundation, can lead us further from God rather than closer to Him. This is the sobering truth that Jesus highlights in His parable.

The Subtle Trap of Religious Pride

The Pharisee’s prayer in the parable exposes a subtle yet dangerous form of pride: religious self-righteousness. On the surface, his prayer seems commendable. After all, who wouldn’t admire someone who avoids swindling, injustice, adultery, and other vices? But the problem lies in his attitude. His prayer is not a humble conversation with God but a performance designed to reinforce his sense of superiority.

Religious pride blinds us to our true condition. It tempts us to measure ourselves against others rather than against God’s perfect standard. The Pharisee compared himself to the tax collector and concluded that he was righteous. But by trusting in his own works, he missed the grace that can only come through humility.

Pharisaism: A Warning for the Church

Pharisees appear frequently in the Gospels, often as opponents of Jesus. Their obsession with outward religion masked an inner emptiness. While they followed the letter of the law, they missed its spirit. Jesus consistently exposed their hypocrisy, using them as a backdrop to reveal the truth of the Gospel.

Interestingly, Phariseeism is more dangerous to the church than external threats like political oppression. History shows that Christianity often thrives under persecution, as seen in places like Communist countries where faith flourishes despite government opposition. But when Pharisaic attitudes infiltrate the church, they stifle spiritual life.

This should serve as a warning. The greatest enemy of truth is not atheism or secularism but sincere religiosity that relies on human effort rather than divine grace. Phariseeism kills the church from within, replacing vibrant faith with lifeless legalism.

The Beauty of Humility

In the tax collector, we see the beauty of humility. His simple prayer, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” embodies the heart of true worship. He doesn’t present a list of accomplishments or attempt to justify himself. Instead, he acknowledges his need for God’s mercy.

Humility is the gateway to grace. It allows us to approach God with open hands, ready to receive His righteousness rather than trying to earn it ourselves. The tax collector’s prayer resonates with the promise of James 4:6: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Failure as a Gateway to Grace

The parable also reminds us that failure is not a disqualifier in God’s kingdom. In fact, God often uses our failures as the starting point for His work in our lives. Throughout Scripture, we see this pattern repeated. Moses was a fugitive and reluctant leader. David committed adultery and murder. Paul persecuted the church. Yet God used each of these individuals to accomplish His purposes.

Why does God use failures? Because failure strips away our illusions of self-sufficiency. It humbles us, creating space for God’s strength to shine through our weakness. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

When we stop trying to prove ourselves and instead surrender to God’s mercy, we find freedom and purpose. Failure, far from being the end, becomes a doorway to grace.

Righteousness as a Gift

The tax collector’s story illustrates a profound truth: righteousness is not something we achieve but something we receive. The Pharisee relied on his own works, but the tax collector relied on God’s mercy. His justification came not from anything he did but from his trust in God’s grace.

This is the heart of the Gospel. Romans 3:28 declares, “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” Our efforts can never earn us a place before God. Only through faith in Christ can we be declared righteous.

Practical Takeaways

1. Approach God with Humility

The tax collector’s prayer offers a model for us: simple, honest, and dependent on God’s mercy. True worship begins with humility.

2.Embrace Your Weakness

Failure is not the end of your story. Like Paul, learn to boast in your weaknesses, knowing that God’s power is made perfect in them.

3.Rest in God’s Righteousness

Stop striving to earn God’s approval. Trust in the finished work of Christ, who has secured your justification through His death and resurrection.

Conclusion

Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector confronts us with a choice. Will we rely on our own efforts, like the Pharisee, or will we humble ourselves and cry out for mercy, like the tax collector? The answer determines not only our relationship with God but also the way we live our lives.

God doesn’t require perfection—He requires humility. He doesn’t use the strong and self-sufficient but those who acknowledge their need for Him. In His kingdom, failures are not final. They are opportunities for grace.

As you reflect on this parable, let it inspire you to lay down your pride, embrace your weaknesses, and trust in the righteousness that comes from God alone. For in His mercy, you will find your true strength.

This week we look into the second chapter of Brad Jersak’s book “A More Christlike God.” This chapter is entitled “Un-Christlike Images of God”. Be sure to pick up the book and get into deeper study!

We turn our attention this week to four types of un-Christlike images of God that are prevalent in the Western Church. Each of these could easily be supported by Scripture! But we take each model and compare it back to Jesus to see how they fall short of who God really is.

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This week we look into the first chapter of Brad Jersak’s book “A More Christlike God.” This chapter is entitled “What is God Like?”. Be sure to pick up the book and get into deeper study!

How can we know what God is truly like? There are so many different views of God … even with Christianity … ALL of them with Bible verses to back it up? So how can we truly know who God is?

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This week we begin a brand new study of Brad Jersak’s book “A More Christlike God.” This is an amazing book that is a good followup to our study from last month. Be sure to pick up the book and get into deeper study!

I had the amazing opportunity to interview Brad recently. We get into a lot of interesting topics as we begin the study of his book in depth.

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This week we look into the issue of prophecy and in particular, the book of Revelation. How do the imagery of a “violent God” in them coincide with the God of love we see in Jesus? This is the conclusion of our study of Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God by Brian Zahnd looking into the issue of how Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God. Be sure to pick up the book and get into deeper study!

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This week we look into the issue of “hell” What is this, and what do the words for “hell” mean in the original languages? This is a continuation of our study of Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God by Brian Zahnd looking into the issue of how Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God. Be sure to pick up the book and get into deeper study!

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This week we look into the issue of “Who killed Jesus?” Was it really God the Father that demanded His death?! Or do we see the entire Trinity involved in bringing salvation to mankind? This is a continuation of our study of Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God by Brian Zahnd looking into the issue of how Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God. Be sure to pick up the book and get into deeper study!

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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For a free worksheet/guide on this study, please click here.

This week we start looking at Brian Zahnd’s book in detail! We begin our study of Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God by Brian Zahnd looking into the issue of how Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God. Be sure to pick up the book and get into deeper study!

Click to Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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For a free worksheet/guide on this study, please click here.