Three of my four boys chose to attend private Christian universities. After twelve years of public school, they wanted to spend their college years somewhere that felt like “home,” surrounded by peers who share a love for Jesus. But sending them to a strong Bible-teaching institution didn’t guarantee they wouldn’t encounter students who questioned their upbringing, the Bible, or their faith in God. In fact, it was somewhat expected. What wasn’t expected was trusted professors or staff presenting ideas and posing questions that could instill false beliefs in vulnerable, young college kids who were trying to establish their own faith outside the protection of Christian parents. Thankfully, there have been only a few times when my husband and I had to point one of our sons away from problematic ideas to the truth given to us in Scripture. The most recent occurrence was this past winter.
In February, my husband and I visited our two youngest boys, who attend the same Christian university. Shortly after arriving on campus, we caught up with the older one and asked the normal questions about his classes and activities. As part of his update, he shared about meeting his professor for coffee. During their conversation, the man raised questions he had been pondering about heaven. He expressed that heaven might not be “perfect”–that, for example, we will be able to fall and skin our knees in heaven.
“That kind of makes sense because, if heaven consists of the restored earth and there are mountains and cliffs, then we’ll be able to fall down them,” my son thoughtfully added.
His statement caused me to pause, but I did not immediately respond. At that moment, there wasn’t time for a meaningful discussion. I also wanted to find out more information. Our younger son had the same professor, so when we caught up with him, he confirmed the man had shared the same thoughts in class, as well as other questionable ideas. My immediate focus, however, was on the former because the notion of an imperfect heaven is prone to lead to hopelessness.
The following morning, we went to church with the boys, followed by brunch. While we waited for our food, I revisited the professor’s comments and asked questions:
“If heaven isn’t perfect, what hope do we have of anything better beyond this current life? What hope is there in receiving glorified bodies free from all afflictions if we can injure them again? If our bodies can be injured, can they also be afflicted with disease? If the restored earth is supposed to be like Eden before the fall, how can these things be?” I inquired.
In between my questions, we had a good discussion. I found out the professor believes that Genesis 1 and 2 are poetic writings, Eden wasn’t perfect, or it wouldn’t have needed tending, and Adam and Eve are literary archetypes. This explained quite a lot about his thoughts on heaven. Nevertheless, I wasn’t satisfied. I wanted to do more than get my boys thinking; I wanted to give them biblical support. But that would have to wait until I got home. Admittedly, I don’t have the whole Bible memorized. Like many lay Christians, I can recall biblical truths and paraphrase them. But I wanted to give the boys answers with exact references. That evening, when my husband and I returned home, I dug through Scripture. This is what I sent to both of them via text:
Regarding our conversation…
(40) There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. (41) There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. (42) So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. (43) It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. (44) It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. (45) Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. (46) But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. (47) The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. (48) As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. (49) Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven (1 Corinthians 15:40–49).
(17) Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. (18) For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. (19) Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. (20) But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (21) who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself (Philippians 3:17–21).
(1) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. (2) And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. (3) And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people and God himself will be with them as their God. (4) He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:1–4).
My two cents: if God gives us a glorified body, it does not follow that we would be able to injure it. Also, if there is no sickness (pain, wailing, mourning, tears, etc), it does not follow that there would be injuries to the body.
I chose not to address every problematic argument the professor made. There is a fine line between making the truth known and exhausting the issue, and there is wisdom in knowing the difference. If crossed, you risk your children not sharing with you in the future. Ultimately, my job isn’t to convince my boys one way or the other; that is the role of the Holy Spirit. It is my responsibility, however, to combat lies by pointing them to the truth in God’s word while trusting in the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work. I don’t fret about professors asking my sons thought-provoking questions to wrestle with; in fact, I welcome that because I know meaningful discussions in a safe community are how young believers grow in discernment and become strong Christians who own their faith. Nevertheless, I am always on guard and ready to gently intervene with Truth when needed.
We have talked about the professor’s ideas a couple of times since February, most recently in preparation for this article. My younger son reminded me that the professor had made comments alluding to heaven being boring. Interestingly, an online search reveals that the idea of being able to skin one’s knee in heaven is not unique to the professor. There have been many such speculations proposed as people publicly ponder what heaven will be like. Many of those people appear to be the very ones who worry it will be boring.
From Scripture, we know that heaven is perfect (Hab. 1:3; 1 John 3:2; Rev. 21:27). Perfection means that nothing is lacking. When we are finally in the presence of perfect love, we, too, will be made perfect, and we won’t long for other things or feel like we’re missing out on something. While Scripture gives us a portrait of the physical heaven with its gem-studded gates and crystal-clear water, it does leave much to the imagination. I believe this is God’s intention because our finite minds cannot fathom what our infinite Father has in store for us. It may be normal for people to speculate what heaven will be like, but if someone expresses concern, I think a good response is summed up in the words my husband spoke to our youngest: “Who cares? We’ll be in God’s illuminating presence and running on streets of gold!”
What more could one ask for?
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Featured photograph by Elijah Kelly.
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