Bernard Lang

Under the surface of this book is a historical materialist argument that is never fully articulated and because of which it suffers to bring a real understanding of why the concept of heaven changes. Feudal lords want heaven to be feudal. Capitalists want heaven to have work and private property.

Also unexplored are African American, African, and Asian traditions of heaven which I assume must radically be different from the middle class and theological intelligentsia. Also no where was the show more Slavic or Eastern Orthodox interpretation of heaven or for that matter Tolstoy's The kingdom of heaven is within you.

It is a history of European/American Protestant and Catholic theology so it doesn't really paint a complete picture of Christian heaven when 75% of the world's Christians aren't included. show less