Thoughts on Heaven

Like many Christians, I possess a deep love for the writing of C.S. Lewis. Each time I read one of his books, I am struck by his wisdom, eloquence, and sheer brilliance. Lewis' ability to provoke thoughts, affections, and wonder about Truth, heaven and hell, and good and evil through allegories and fables is just amazing, and frankly, unmatched. Yesterday afternoon, I decided to re-read The Great Divorce. I finished it late last evening and decided to re-read it again on the plane today. Lewis' writing is just beautiful. I want to keep reading it, over and over, because the images are so rich. Yet, as eloquent as his words are, they capture a tiny morsel (at best) of what heaven is really like. I can't stop thinking, wondering, marveling about heaven and anticipating the day when I will meet my Father there.

Here are some tidbits from the book...

"It's a point of view. Certainly, it's a point of view. In the meantime..."

" 'There is no meantime,' replied the other. 'All that is over. We are not playing now. I have been talking of the past (your past and mine) only in order that you may turn from it forever. One wrench and the tooth will be out. You can begin as if nothing had ever gone wrong. White as snow. It's all true, you know. He is in me, for you, with that power. And- I have come a long journey to meet you. You have seen Hell: you are in sight of Heaven. Will you, even now, repent and believe?" (38-39)

"Will you come with me to the mountains? It will hurt at first, until your feet are hardened. Reality is harsh to the feet of shadows. But will you come?"

"Well, that is a plan. I am perfectly ready to consider it. Of course, I should require some assurances... I should want a guarantee that you are taking me to a place where I shall find a wider sphere of usefulness - and scope for the talents God has given me - and an atmosphere of free inquiry - in short, all that one means by civilization and - er - the spiritual life."

'No,' said the other. 'I can promise you none of these things. No sphere of usefulness: you are not needed there at all. No scope for your talents: only forgiveness for having perverted them. No atmosphere of inquiry for I will bring you to the land no of questions but of answers, and you shall see the face of God." (40)

"But surely in the case of distinguished people, you'd hear?"

"But they (Cezanne, Claude...) aren't distinguished - no more than anyone else. Don't you understand? The Glory flows into everyone, and back from everyone: like light and mirrors. But the light's the thing."

"Do you mean there are no famous men?"

"They are all famous. They are all known, remembered, recognized by the only Mind that can give a perfect judgement." (86)