Bernhard Lang Book order

The book delves into the evolution of the concept of heaven, particularly focusing on the modern interpretation that emphasizes reunions with friends and family. It highlights the contributions of influential figures like John Bunyan, Emanuel Swedenborg, and William Blake, who shaped this vision during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This modern perspective prioritizes ongoing earthly relationships and passions, contrasting sharply with earlier, more God-centered views of heaven that depicted it as a solitary existence devoted to divine contemplation.

Exploring the life and literature of ancient Hebrews, this collection of essays delves into various themes such as the Hebrew God, biblical worldview, and the formation of the scriptural canon. It addresses topics like peasant poverty, women's roles, and prophetic street theatre, while recounting stories of figures like Joseph and Samson. The essays are structured to reflect the three societal strata—peasants, warriors, and the wise—offering insights into the Hebrew mentality and even examining the priestly origins of the Eucharist.

What do Christians believe they will experience after a virtuous life? What will an eternity in the hereafter be like? In this copiously illustrated, lively book, Colleen McDannell and Bernhard Lang describe and interpret the ways in which believers—from biblical authors to medieval mystics, from Jesus to present-day religious thinkers—have pictured Heaven, not just in doctrine but also in poetry, art, literature, and popular culture. In so doing, they shed new light on both the private and public dimensions of western culture. This second edition includes a substantial new preface relating the book to changing views of life after death in the new century.Author Biography: Colleen McDannell is Sterling McMurrin Chair of Religious Studies and associate professor of history at the University of Utah. She is also the author of Material Christianity. Bernhard Lang is professor of religion at the University of Paderborn, Germany, and the author of Sacred Games: A History of Christian Worship. Both of these books are published by Yale University Press.