Why I Need to Believe in Heaven

Heaven isn’t about escape. It’s about hope.

A few weeks ago, I did something that was rather risky, at least for a pastor.

I preached about heaven.

It seems rather radical these days in Mainline Protestant churches to preach about heaven. It can seem rather escapist and a way to not focus on the problems here on earth. But I believe in heaven and I believe it has its place in Christian theology. What has kept me believing in heaven is an encounter in seminary nearly a quarter century ago.

I can’t remember the exact class, but I had to write a paper for some reason. What I do remember is that I decided to play around with some of my beliefs and I started talking about not focusing on our faith in heaven so much. I didn’t dispel the meaning of heaven, but I did wonder if maybe we don’t need to focus so much on heaven.

I remember presenting my paper in class and thinking I might be some kind of modern-day theologian Karl Barth or Paul Tillich. I was kind of proud of myself for thinking so out of the box.

In the same class was a young seminarian. She had to be in her mid to late 20s and like me on her way towards ordination. In our sophomore year, her husband died in a freak accident. It was quite shocking and sad. She quietly responded…