Recent posts have touched on the issue of life after death. It’s fitting, then, to include a quote that has informed my understanding and beliefs about this. I studied the writings of Diogenes Allen for my Doctor of Ministry project, and in that work I came across these words:
Our present life is one where we begin to learn what it is to be limited, to be isolated, and yet yearn to be bound to others. This life is to be seen as in the process of transformation by another seeping in, a replacement that does not and cannot take place fully without a new heaven and a new earth and new minds and bodies. So Christianity does not promise life beyond death; this life is limited in extent and it will end permanently. Only what has entered this life from the heart of God — the life that he himself enjoys — which we see in Jesus and know now in self-forgetful perception and especially in mutual reception of one another will continue and be consummated. But for the rest, what it will be is a completely blank tablet, since we and our universe must be transformed for the consummation of love. Christianity does not solve the problem, but it offers a vision of what life is, and a taste of what true living is. That life, now only glimpsed, and in serious conflict with the present, is said to be incapable of destruction because it is the life of God and to live in it fully is a destiny given to us by God. (The Path of Perfect Love, Cowley 1992: 85-86)
Dr. Allen, who is orthodox in his theology, presents here his vision of the afterlife. When I first read it, it exploded in my mind. He says our human life ends permanently, which would include bodily and psychic life. What continues on is the life of divine love that has seeped into us and begun to transform us, a love we see embodied in Jesus and experience in fragments now. What Dr. Allen tells me, if I understand him, is that my life does not continue after death — in other words, my soul does not go to heaven. What continues is whatever fragments of God’s life that have mingled themselves with my personality and begun to transform it. Elsewhere Dr. Allen calls it a seed of love planted in us. This continues and presumably grows and awaits the new creation, which is unimaginable to us right now.
I don’t know how to square this with popular beliefs of going to heaven and being reunited with loved ones, but it’s a way of thinking that is compelling and intelligible to me. Dr. Allen has taken traditional Christian beliefs of eternal life and resurrection and filled the words with new meaning — which is exactly what good theologians do.
My Church in Hilton Head Island (First Presbyterian) was reading Diogenes Allen’s Steps Along The Way; and I was acting as facilitator for our small group. By accident in trying to know more about the author I came upon your website and read your blog on the afterlife. It answered many of the question that have troubled me during my own religious journey. I had long been concerned by the “exclusivity” of my religon, and this helped to answer some of those questions! Many of the protestant churches, and all the Catholic Church say “it is my way or the highway” and what they really mean is their way is the ONLY way to heaven. Anyway keep blogging, I live in Williamsburg Michigan in the summer, and perhaps our paths will cross. KAK
Kenneth, thank you for your kind words. I’m glad the quote from Dr. Allen (and the post itself) was helpful to you. Peace to you.
Pingback: Is Eternal Life Boring? « As the Deer
I would consider professor Allen’s discussion’s on explicit, implicit, and perfect love. I do not suppose to speak for professor Allen. I can imagine that this love could be considered eminating from the heart of God and therefore not part of the wipe. For myself, I do not primarily consider this a seed of love, God’s perspective, as much as viewing stations to observe, if I want/can, God’s love directed toward ME, my perspective. I suppose, that if these forms of love by which God shows his love to me. Not only will they not be erase but these people, religious rites, and nature will be the building blocks God used become the foundation to this dwelling.
Thanks for this reflection and perspective, David. Whatever in me that will not be erased I attribute wholly to divine love. I learned that from Dr. Allen.