Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Heaven

A Better Way to Think About Heaven, via St. Gregory of Nyssa

July 19, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Christians in our culture have a pretty odd default view of life after death. We call it “heaven” and tell the world they ought to make sure they get to go there, but we portray it as frankly boring. You know the schtick: sitting forever on a cloud holding a harp you don’t know how to play. […]

Filed Under: Saints, Theology, Uncategorized, Vocabulary Tagged With: Apophatic Theology, Cappadocians, Cloud of Unknowing, Gregory of Nyssa, Heaven, Life of Moses

Resurrection of the Body: This Is Not Your Culture’s Afterlife

September 12, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 8 Comments

Our culture goes two opposite directions on life after death. Both are a long way from Christian faith and hope. On the one hand we have sentimental universalism. It can be the soft-focus flowers and clouds of greeting card theology, trying to comfort the grieving. It can be stories of near death experiences in the […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: Catechism, Heaven, Heidelberg, hope, Jesus, resurrection, zombie apocalypse, Zombies

A Little Bit Mysterious

May 3, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 5 Comments

I have always liked a mystery.  In my reading that has led me to enjoy Dorothy L. Sayers’ “Lord Peter Wimsey” novels and Robert B. Parker’s “Spenser” series. I blush to confess the vast number of hours I used to spend watching the various incarnations of Law and Order. Love of mystery also shapes my […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Prayer Tagged With: Catechism, Father, Heaven, Heidelberg, Prayer, providence

Theology. It’s good for you.

I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples. Join me here for regular posts on the best of theology, spirituality, community, and ministry. read more…

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