DeepSummary
This podcast episode features a conversation between host Caitlin Shess and Dr. Mark Cortez, a professor of theology at Wheaton College, as they discuss a child's question about what people will look like in heaven. Dr. Cortez emphasizes that while we don't have many details, we can be confident that we will have physical bodies in the resurrection, based on the biblical accounts of Jesus' resurrection appearances.
Dr. Cortez explores different aspects of the question, such as age, gender, race, and ability in the resurrected state. He cautions against projecting our own ideals onto God's design but suggests that there will be continuity and discontinuity with our present bodies. He emphasizes that our resurrected bodies will reflect God's intention for human flourishing and that our relationships and community will continue in eternity.
The episode touches on broader theological themes, such as the goodness of God's creation, the importance of our present embodied lives, and the restoration of all things in the new heavens and new earth. Dr. Cortez encourages a balanced perspective that affirms both the continuity and the transformation of our identities and relationships in the life to come.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Our resurrected bodies will reflect a balance between continuity and transformation from our present bodies, reflecting God's intention for human flourishing.
- Aspects of our embodied identities, such as gender and ethnicity, will likely continue in some form in the resurrection.
- Relationships and community are central to the biblical vision of the resurrected life, and we can trust that our significant relationships will continue.
- We should be cautious about projecting our own ideals onto the resurrected state, as God's design may challenge our assumptions about what bodies are valued.
- The goodness of God's creation, including our embodied lives, will be affirmed and restored in the new heavens and new earth.
- While we don't have all the details, we can trust in God's goodness and plan for our flourishing in the life to come.
- Our present embodied lives and relationships matter and are part of God's larger story of redemption and restoration.
- We can be confident that we will have physical bodies in the resurrection, based on biblical accounts of Jesus' resurrection appearances.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “So that's the one kind of confident piece that I've got to put on the equation, is that we've got bodies.“ by Mark Cortez
- “And anytime we start to think in terms of the ideal human or the ideal me, we need to recognize that we're operating in really powerful territory. Because ideals shape our vision of which bodies matter, which bodies don't, which bodies are good, which bodies are bad, which versions of me are good, which versions of me are bad.“ by Mark Cortez
- “I mean, the life that the Bible paints of the resurrection is community life. It's the life of God's people gathered together in intimate relationship with God and with one another.“ by Mark Cortez
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Episode Information
Curiously Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn Schiess
5/21/24
Kaitlyn is joined by theologian Marc Cortez to answer the question: What will my grandma look like in heaven? Will she look like I remember her, or will she look younger? Kaitlyn and Dr. Cortez also discuss other questions about our life in eternity: How old will we be? Will we be the same gender? Will we recognize each other? Dr. Cortez also teaches us why these questions are surprisingly important for understanding humans, God, and God’s plan for creation.