Heaven: Better Than Sex?

An imaginary conversation:

Jesus, you have to help me out. Are you really telling me that there is something better than sex?

Jesus: Is your imagination really that limited? Your fantasy life is dull and boring. Let me tell you about something far greater than sex.

Luke 20:27-40 are sobering and life-giving verses. They are a breath of fresh air that rescues sex from the hype and melodrama of our culture. So what exactly does this passage teach us about sex and heaven?

The passage teaches us that we, like the Sadducees, misunderstand the nature of heaven.

Jesus challenges both the Sadducees and our understanding of the afterlife by saying something utterly shocking. In fact, this is one passage that ought to convince you of the Divine authorship of Scripture. No human author or mere human being would say something like this. Yet Jesus is not a kill-joy. He wants to introduce you to something that is far more joyful and ecstatic than any marriage or sexual experience. Something to which sex points. In so doing, he redeems sex and marriage by putting them in their proper place. Marriage and sex are temporary blessings that pass away with the old order of things when the new heavens and earth are ushered in.

No other world religion that affirms an afterlife talks like this as far as I know. Islam and Mormonism speak of sex in the afterlife. Modern Judaism is vague at best. Eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism speak of heaven as a bodiless impersonal state. The goal in this life is to gain control over one’s desires. Christianity, alone, speaks of a bodily resurrection and yet says that there will be no marriage or sex in heaven. This is not because Christianity has a negative view of the physical world. The Bible affirms the goodness of marriage, sexual union and pleasure within the context of marriage!

Like us, the Sadducees viewed heaven as a bland, indefinite continuation of this life. Jesus, in taking marriage and sex out of the equation, is actually saying that life in heaven is so much more than a bland continuation of this life. However great or horrible marriage or sex may have been for you, heaven takes us into a dimension where one is called to imagine the unimaginable. Only C. S. Lewis could capture this amazing comparison in such a simple way as he does in the following quote,

I think our present outlook might be like that of a small boy who, on being told that the sexual act was the highest bodily pleasure should immediately ask whether you ate chocolates at the same time. On receiving the answer “No,” he might regard absence of chocolates as the chief characteristic of sexuality. In vain would you tell him that the reason why lovers in their carnal raptures don’t bother about chocolates is that they have something better to think of. The boy knows chocolate: he does not know the positive thing that excludes it. We are in the same position. We know the sexual life; we do not know, except in glimpses, the other thing which, in Heaven, will leave no room for it.                                                            C.S. Lewis, Miracles, 166-167

This quote from Lewis points us clearly in the direction of Revelation 21 and 22. Here we are given a glimpse into the nature of heaven and the world we were truly created for.

Copyright © 2014 Timothy S. Lane. All rights reserved.

Sex and Heaven?

What is there to talk about in the New Year? How about a complicated passage of Scripture that says some really odd things about sex, the resurrection and heaven? Here’s the passage from Luke 20:27-40.

27 Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. 28 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless.30 The second 31 and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. 32 Finally, the woman died too. 33 Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

34 Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, 36 and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.37 But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” 39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” 40 And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

For some, the thought of not having to deal with sex in heaven is just fine. It may even be a relief due to your past experiences. Shame, abuse, negative teachings that have left you guilt ridden will be gone and you won’t have to deal with this creepy subject ever again. Heaven is your great escape from something you loathe.

For others, you wonder if this passage really teaches what it seems to teach. You may try some hermeneutical tricks to make the passage say something else. No sex in heaven is not a relief but a supreme disappointment. 

Whichever the case may be for you, we must admit that we live in strange times. Sexual images are all around us and easily accessible in ways that no other culture has ever seen. We are truly a walking example of how voracious the human appetite can be. Satisfying it is futile. The more you feed it, the more it wants. The more it wants, the more you feed it. Sin truly is a vicious cycle. I am fond of this quote from Malcolm Muggeridge who writes towards the end of the 20th century as an older man. He brings perspective to our culture and how it worships sex.

When the Devil makes his offer (always open, incidentally) of the kingdoms of the earth, it is the bordellos that glow so alluringly to most of us, not the banks and the counting houses, the board rooms and the executive offices. We can easily resist becoming millionaires or privy councilors, but to swim away on a tide of sensual ecstasy, to be lost in another body, to fly as high as the ceiling on the wings of the night, or even of the afternoon—that, surely is something. The imagination recoils from the prizes, or toys of a materialistic society. Who but some half-witted oil sheik or popular actor can go on desiring sleek yachts or motorcars or white villas perched above yellow sands? But what about the toys in living flesh? The Barbie dolls that bleed? The Hefner Playmates that move? The celluloid loves forever panting and forever young. Sex is the mysticism of a materialist society, with its own mysteries—this is my birth control pill; swallow in remembrance of me! And its own sacred texts and scriptures—the erotica that fall like black rain on the just and unjust alike, drenching us, blinding us, stupefying us. To be carnally minded is life. So we have ventured on, Little Flowers of D. H. Lawrence (p. 63 Jesus Rediscovered, Malcolm Muggeridge).

What a contrast between what Jesus is teaching and what our culture celebrates. For our culture, this teaching in Luke 20 is a terrible shock and potential disappointment. It is spoken by the very person who created and affirmed the physical world (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16).  He also wanted us to keep the physical world in proper context and perspective.

It appears that this passage is as relevant today as it was when it was first spoken. We may not immediately put sex and heaven together, but Jesus does. In so doing, he has much to teach us.

Copyright © 2014 Timothy S. Lane. All rights reserved.

When the New Year Doesn't Feel New

It’s inevitable. All things corrode, wear down or die. Atrophy and Entropy are the norm. We fight it through refrigeration, face-lifts, diets, make up and New Year’s resolutions. Everything falls apart. The apostle Peter, quoting Isaiah 40 had this to say about human existence in I Peter 1:24-25,

All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.

All of this energy is driven by a desire for eternity. We want to live forever. Something in the human psyche drives us to fight against the decay. The apostle John, at a very old age, wrote these words found in Revelation 21:1-7. They tap into what we know to be true.

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

Just a few days into the new year and you can identify with these two equal but opposite realties. We know we are dust and we long to last forever. This longing is there because we know we were made for another world. C. S. Lewis put it this way,

If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.

So how do you tap into these promises and begin to experience the newness that has begun in the coming of Christ? The clue is found in verse 6. Do you see the word thirsty? That is where it begins. Thirsty people are aware that they need something outside of themselves in order to survive. You can’t look within. The beginning of newness is not found within yourself. You have to humble yourself and ask for help. 

Jesus said that he did not come for those who were well but for those who were sick. Admit that you need a physician and He will be there for you. In John 7, he also said that he was the living water,

Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” 39 (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. 

Are you thirsty for living water? It is yours for the asking. Start drinking and keep drinking!

Copyright © 2014 Timothy S. Lane. All rights reserved

Domesticated Jesus

The first time I heard the song “Jesus is Just Alright” was in the early 80’s (on an 8-track mind you!) The Byrds covered it in 1969 and the Doobie Brothers three years later. Arthur Reid wrote the original in 1966 as a gospel song.

 The Byrds and Doobie Brothers did not sing it with its original intention. Rather, they were using the phrase “just alright” which was a popular way of saying something was “cool”. Other popular celebrations of Jesus during this time period were expressed in rock operas like Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar. These Broadway musicals portrayed Jesus as a loving person whom we should admire and imitate. Neither portrayed him as the Son of God. The hippie counter culture was seeking to rescue Jesus from the bourgeois culture of the middle class and its materialistic life-style. The middle class used Jesus to justify their lifestyle and how we could all be prosperous and nice if we just followed Jesus’ ethical teachings.

 What is remarkably similar with the hippie movement and the bourgeois middle class is both sought to domesticate Jesus. He became safe or cool depending upon your sub-culture.

 Surprisingly, this is the least honest option of all when you consider Jesus at face value. Consider this line of reasoning from C. S. Lewis.

 Jesus ... told people that their sins were forgiven. ... This makes sense only if He really was the God whose laws are broken and whose love is wounded in every sin.

... I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: "I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God." That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.

We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher. He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him. He produced mainly three effects — Hatred — Terror — Adoration. There was no trace of people expressing mild approval.

  Mere Christianity and God in the Dock by C. S. Lewis

As you can see, Lewis lays bare the rationale of either the hippie or bourgeois interpretations of Jesus and makes us come to terms with the only honest assessment Jesus, himself, offers us. This Christmas, the last thing you should do is “like” Jesus. He does not want you to like him and he does not give you that option. The formidable anti-theist, Christopher Hitchens got this. He said that Jesus is Santa Claus for adults, and that was no compliment. Hitchens got Lewis’ logic and chose to see Jesus as a madman or a narcissistic leader, certainly not a nice fellow or God. You have to admire Hitchens' honesty.

And you? What do you make of Jesus? If you are searching, here are a few books I would recommend you read. If you are a Christian and find that you may have downsized the greatness of the Christ and made him fit into your kingdom rather than you living in his, these books might serve you as well.

The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable, F.F. Bruce
Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis
Basic Christianity, John Stott
Who is Jesus, Michael Green
Reason for God, Timothy Keller

Copyright © 2013 Timothy S. Lane. All rights reserved.

Christmas: Sentimentality or Reality

When I first became convinced that Christianity was true at the age of 17, I had many intellectual questions that required honest answers. Here are a few. Why does God allow suffering? Who am I? What does it look like to live a truly human and meaningful life? What happens when you die? The most striking question that emerged, though, was, “Who is God and if He exists, how can you find him and know him?” This quest for answers took me to the very heart of Christianity. “Who is Jesus?” “Is he really who Christians claim he was/is?” “Did he claim to be God?” “What basis do we have for viewing him as an utterly unique human being?” 

The following quote is from John Stott.

The most striking feature of the teaching of Jesus is that he was constantly talking about himself. It is true that he spoke much about the fatherhood of God and the kingdom of God. But then he added that he was the Father's 'Son', and that he had come to inaugurate the kingdom. Entry into the kingdom depended on men's response to him. He even did not hesitate to call the kingdom of God 'my kingdom'.

This self-centeredness of the teaching of Jesus immediately sets him apart from the other great religious teachers of the world. They were self-effacing. He was self-advancing. They pointed men away from themselves saying, 'That is the truth, so far as I perceive it; follow that' Jesus said, 'I am the truth, follow me.' The founder of none of the ethnic religions ever dared to say such a thing. The personal pronoun forces itself repeatedly on our attention as we read his words. For example:

'I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst’

'I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'

'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die/

'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.'

'Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me....'

 The most remarkable feature of all this self-centered teaching is that it was uttered by one who insisted on humility in others. He rebuked his disciples for their self-seeking and was wearied by their desire to be great.

Basic Christianity pp. 23,25 by John R.W. Stott

As I pondered the central aspect of the Christian faith, Jesus, I began to become more convinced that Jesus was the Christ promised all throughout the Old Testament. He truly was the Son of God who came to save sinners like me.

This Christmas, as with every Christmas, there is much to focus upon. All of them are good, too; family, generosity in gift giving, peace, love, and hope to name a few. I would not argue for the opposite of these, but if Jesus is not who he claimed to be, Christmas is simply an exercise in wish fulfillment and sentimentality.

But if Jesus is who he claimed to be, then it changes everything.

Below are some helpful books you might want to read if you are seeking to make sense of Christmas and the person of Jesus.

The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable, F.F. Bruce
Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis
Basic Christianity, John Stott
Who is Jesus, Michael Green
Reason for God, Timothy Keller

Copyright © 2013 Timothy S. Lane. All rights reserved.