Does Scripture indicate that we’ll learn in Heaven? Consider Ephesians 2:6-7: “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace.” “Show” means “to reveal.” “In the coming ages” indicates this will be an ongoing revelation, in which we learn more and more about God’s grace.
–Randy Alcorn via Facebook
I had never heard of this idea before. If this is true, it’s another indication that heaven won’t be something static. Seeing God face to face for eternity will certainly be enough but to know that we have things to do and things to learn makes it all the more appealing.
Learning about God and the Bible here is fantastic by itself but to have continuing perfect revelation (that everyone agrees with!) straight from God for eternity is unfathomable.
What do you think? This interpretation seems to hinge on the plural “ages”. Certainly not of primary importance but interesting in developing the hope for heaven.
If you’re interested in this view (and I think it’s valid), you might want to pick up Alcorn’s book “Heaven”. Very much in the NT Wright school of eschatology, but going into more consideration of what life in Heaven might be like.
Thanks. I want to get his book on suffering and it sounds like I would like this one too.
Jeff
Disclaimer: I am by no means any kind of an expert on Judaism and Jewish traditions.
But I remember reading about a tradition that even God studies Torah for three hours a day (ignoring also the question of time in heaven!). I googled and found references to the Babylonian Talmud Avodah Zarah 3b for this concept of divine Torah study.
If God still studies scripture, perhaps we might have to also. That might be heavenly for us scripture-philes, but a real hell for some others!
Edward thanks. I have to say that sounds strange that God would study what He authored. Of course, I like the idea of studying Scripture in heaven, but don’t tell non-Christians! Wouldn’t it be great to study it and have a correct understanding of it? Then study some more and learn even more? As for now I can’t get enough of it. When I’m in a hurry to learn I often think I have the rest of my life. But maybe ‘rest of my life’ is longer than I think.
Jeff
Maybe the need for God to study Torah three hors a day gives credibility to those involved with hermeneutics who deny that “authorial intent” is relevant to the meaning of a text, i.e. that a text has a meaning of its own independent of the author.
I have difficulty with that! Of course, reader-response criticism by God reading his own Torah text might be interesting?
My brain just locked up. I needed a reboot.
Have the open theism folks got a hold of this concept yet?
I wonder. They would seem to go for that.
Jeff