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From the non-dogmatic theology department
Brief and non-exhaustive
Recently in my studies I listened to a sermon (paraphrased) that opined the new heaven and new earth mentioned in the biblical books of Isaiah and Revelation, would be ultimately recreated (re-created), ex nihilo (out of nothing). This opposed to being restored.
As noted, I am not dogmatic on what exactly the biblical new heaven and earth will entail. However, this view reasons that God had to (paraphrased) complete an ex nihilo creation as opposed to a restoration because heaven, like the physical realm of matter through satanic and human falls (Genesis 1-3), was corrupted by the problem of evil because of Satan's access to God in heaven (Job 1).
Heaven is in one sense, being in the supernatural presence of God. In this sense it is a non-physical and supernatural realm. It is not heaven or the heavens with any material meaning. Browning explains that biblically 'heaven can refer to the region of the atmosphere or also to a supernatural world.' (166). Within the view presented there was not a significant distinction between these two concepts of heaven.
In the future (Revelation 20-22) as satanic beings will be cast into the lake of fire, it can be deduced that they will no longer have access to God in heaven. In a spiritual realm, once Satan or hypothetically, any fallen angel is no longer present, there is no evil present in supernatural heaven. Therefore, there is no required heavenly recreation, or restoration, for that matter. God is infinite and divine eternal goodness is not tainted by evil (Mark 10: 18).
Due to the fall (Genesis, Revelation), there is biblically, minimally a need for the restoration of the physical universe, including the earth. I admit that possibly a physical, material, ex nihilo recreation, is reasonable, biblical theology.
The New Testament concept of 'paradise' presents deceased, human beings, spiritually in the presence of God. It may possibly feature simulated physicality for human benefit. (Luke 23, 2 Corinthians 12, Philippians 1). I do not see good evidence on why this realm of heaven, being within the presence of God, would be tainted by evil and therefore there would be a need for recreation or even restoration, for that matter. It seems to me that the supernatural heaven in any context, is not tainted by either a satanic or human fall. Through the atonement, reasonably sin could be purged from the spiritual state of citizens of paradise.
Mounce acknowledges that Isaiah did mention the concepts of a new heaven and new earth. (368). This he documents within Isaiah, Chapters 65-66. (368). He notes that 'renovation of the old order is a concept which belongs to the common stock of apocalyptic tradition.' (369). This idea would be in contrast to this view, support a restoration theology as opposed to a theology of ex nihilo recreation. The creation is renewed. (369).
Mounce states:
'Probably the new order of things is not to be thought of primarily as a physical transformation.' (369).
Mounce reasons that most scholars allow for varying levels of literal interpretation in regard to the new creation. (369). In contrast, the view presented appears to support largely plain literal interpretations of eschatological and creation texts, likely within a dispensationalist tradition.
Mounce further demonstrates the rather figurative literal (not mythological) nature of this eschatological language in Revelation. The reference to 'no longer any sea' (New American Standard Bible, my add) is likely a reference to a dread of the sea by many ancient cultures. The sea was viewed as an evil. To state that through the metaphorical use of 'sea' that evil will no longer exist in the new order, seems far more intellectually palatable than attempting to explain the lack of major water bodies in a new creation within an everlastingly liveable universe for human beings.
Although resurrected persons have a spiritual body (1 Corinthians 15: 44), they still have physical qualities and live in a physical universe. As resurrected human beings in Christ still have a restored, physical nature and attributes, quite reasonably, the universe and earth should also have restored physical attributes. Perhaps a restored earth will be similar to the pre-fall Garden of Eden? Perhaps it will have more spiritual aspects than at present?
David F. Payne in his 2 Peter commentary opines that everything on the earth will be 'laid bare', is probably a more correct text than stating everything will be 'burned up'. (1569). This would lead to the theology of eschatological restoration as opposed to eschatological recreation.
BROWNING, W.R.F. (1997) Dictionary of the Bible, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1990) The Book of Revelation, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
PAYNE. DAVID F.(1986) ‘2 Peter’, in F.F. Bruce, (ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Marshall Pickering/Zondervan.
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