Show Notes
What makes heaven, heaven? Whereas many evangelicals today might point to a number of things, including resurrected bodies, a resurrected cosmos, freedom from sin, and reunion with departed loved ones, most of Christian tradition has been uniform in its answer. What makes heaven, heaven, according to the Great Tradition in Christianity, is that in heaven, we shall see God. This is the doctrine of the beatific vision, and in this episode of the Credo Podcast, Samuel Parkison introduces this oft-neglected doctrine in light of the publication of his recent book, To Gaze upon God: The Beatific Vision in Doctrine, Tradition, and Practice (IVP), in order to explore the ramifications of the beatific vision for the Christian life.
Samuel G. Parkison is Associate Professor of Theological Studies and Director of the Abu Dhabi Extension Site at Gulf Theological Seminary in the United Arab Emirates. He is the author of Revelation and Response: The Why and How of Leading Corporate Worship Through Song (Rainer, 2019), Thinking Christianly: Bringing Sundry Thoughts Captive to Christ (H&E, 2022), Irresistible Beauty: Beholding Triune Glory in the Face of Jesus Christ (Christian Focus, 2022), and To Gaze upon God: The Beatific Vision in Doctrine, Tradition, and Practice (IVP Academic, 2024).
Image credit: JR P; Atlanta’s High Museum of Art – March 20, 2023; Joseph Stella ( 1877 – 1946 )
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