Heaven Is Not My Home – Chapter 18

Between Two Worlds
“This world is our home: we are made to live here. It has been devastated by sin, but God plans to put it right.” (p 247) And that is how Marshall begins the final chapter. The focus, our focus, he contends should not be so much on the here and now [...]

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Heaven Is Not My Home – Chapter 16

The New Creation
I enjoyed this chapter and found it helpful in thinking through some aspects of the new earth. Marshall really focuses on discussing two points in this chapter: 1) our bodily resurrection, like Jesus’, will be physical and 2) the meaning of 2 Peter 3:7. While he does cover some other subjects [...]

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Heaven Is Not My Home – Chapter 15

Patience and Long-suffering
In this brief chapter, Marshall discusses not only the perfect long-suffering our Lord but the endurance need for the saints.  The chapter begins with a brief discussion of the “already-not yet” aspect of the kingdom of God.  Marshall quotes several passages which speak of the kingdom being here now (Lk. 17:20-21, Mt. 12:26-28, [...]

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Heaven Is Not My Home – Chapter 14

Enlightened Evangelism
Marshall states his view on the Christian life and evangelism quite succinctly on pages 209-210:
When men and women turn to Jesus Christ in real, concrete repentance from sin and, by grace through faith, are restored in God’s favor, they are called to begin to live out the healing and restoration of Christ’s redemption, taking [...]

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Heaven Is Not My Home – Chapter 13

Worship and Idolatry
Chapter thirteen is the first portion of Part V (the final section of the book) entitled, “Our Hope For the World”.
Marshall begins by sharing that all of creation declares God’s glory (Ps. 19:1) and that when we worship, we are joining in with the creation in glorifying God. He states that worship [...]

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Heaven Is Not My Home – Chapter 12

Creativity and Technology

Shortly into this chapter, Marshall seems to state his position clearly: “Technology, properly used, is a gift from God.” (p 171) And he later cautions, “But if we think we can address the fundamental problems of humankind without addressing human guilt, human responsibility, human morality, and the reality of human freedom, then [...]

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Heaven Is Not My Home – Chapter 11

Imagination and the Arts

Much should be said about this subject yet surprisingly, this was a very short chapter. Marshall’s use of scripture for this subject was interesting (not in a bad way). He began with the “Master Artist” in Genesis, spoke of the “an ancient fashion designer” of Proverb 31 and then Bezalel [...]

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Heaven Is Not My Home – Chapter 10

Our Political Responsibility

This chapter seems to communicate the same call for engagement that has become familiar with this book. Much like all aspects of culture, Christians tend to one of two extremes: submersion or avoidance. Marshall calls Christians to be involved in the governance of people in a balanced way. I think [...]

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Heaven Is Not My Home – Chapter 9

The Natural World

Chapter nine marks the beginning of part IV (of V) in the book. This part is entitled, “Our Taks in the World” and looks to be quite practical and helpful. Let’s begin by taking a look at Marshall’s take on the natural world.
God values nature and as God’s image bearers, we too value [...]

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Heaven Is Not My Home – Chapter 8

The Pleasures of Play

I have to admit, I was really looking forward to this chapter. It’s not often (enough, in my opinion) that we hear or read about the Christian perspective on leisure. So perhaps it was my high level of anticipation that led to me being a bit disappointed with this chapter. Perhaps, but [...]

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