Background Information
When it comes to Christianity, most people will think of only one heaven. The truth, however, is more complicated than that. The word “heaven” itself is a broad term that needs to be defined in order to understand how many heavens there actually are in Christianity. Biblical scholars and theologians have debated this for centuries and there are numerous interpretations. It is important to note that, while there are different interpretations, there is no definitive answer to the question “How many heavens are there in Christianity?”.
Overview of Interpreations
The majority of Christian denominations view the heavens as presented in Scripture, with the understanding that there are two distinct places: the ‘third heaven’ or ‘heaven of heavens’ mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 and the ‘first heaven’ of the sky, which is commonly referred to as the atmosphere. Other interpretations include, but are not limited to, the view that there are only three heavens, three distinct levels of heaven and even seven distinct heaven levels.
Views of Scholars and Theologians
Many scholars and theologians have different views on how many heavens there are in Christianity. According to Carl R. Trueman, a professor of historical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, “All that the Bible expressly says about the structure of the heavens is that there are two distinct places, the third heaven and the first heaven.” Similarly, William Lane Craig, professor of apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, suggests “There are two legitimate ways of interpreting the biblical data. On the one hand, one can postulate at least three heavens: the ‘third Heaven’ of 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, the atmospheric heaven of our experience and a spiritual heaven, the dwelling place of God.”
However, some scholars, such as evangelical author John Macarthur, take a different approach. He argues that there is no biblical evidence for a literal, physical “third heaven”. Instead, he contends that the “third heaven” is simply a reference to the dwelling place of God in a spiritual realm. He suggests that, “there is no Bible basis for placing three literal, physical heavens in the universe above us.”
Perspectives from Experts
While there is no definitive answer to the question of how many heavens there are in Christianity, there are many different perspectives from experts. Robert Wetmore, lead pastor at Lakeview Church and author of Life Unhindered: Understanding and Appreciating the Divine Composition of Mankind, believes that “the question, ‘How many Heavens?’ depends upon the definition of ‘heaven.'” He further states that, while there can be various interpretations, “the Bible speaks of a threefold distinction – there is the atmosphere ‘FIRST’ heaven, the dwelling place of God in a spiritual sense ‘SECOND’ heaven and a heavenly dwelling or beyond the confines of space containing God ‘THIRD’ heaven.”
Other experts, such as church history professor Mattick M. Piepkorn, suggest that the interpretation of the heavens in Christianity is primarily symbolic. He holds that, “while there is a literal sky and atmosphere, generally speaking, the Bible is speaking symbolically about God’s transcendence and his immanence.” He further states, “it would not be inappropriate to refer to heaven as a third, fourth, or even seventh heaven, depending how one interprets the symbolism. Likewise, the scriptural specifics suggest more than one place for heaven.”
Analysis of Topic
It is clear from the above analysis that understanding the number of heavens in Christianity is a complex topic that is open to interpretation. It appears that, while there is no definitive answer to the question, the majority of Christians believe that there are two distinct places: the third heaven and the first heaven (the atmosphere). However, other interpretations are possible, including that there are three, four or even seven heavens. The interpretations vary depending on the definition of what constitutes a heaven, as well as the context in which the heavens are referenced.
Scriptural Evidence
Scripture can provide some insight into the question of the heavens in Christianity. The Bible contains several references to the heavens, particularly in the book of Revelation. For example, Revelation 4:1 states that “after these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven” and Revelation 21:1 states that “I saw a new heaven and a new earth.” These references help to illustrate that there is more to the nature and structure of heaven than merely a physical place in the sky.
Likewise, Psalm 78:23-25 says, “He commanded the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens, pouring down rain and sending forth the sound of thunder.” This verse suggests that the heavens consist of multiple places, with each part fulfilling a specific purpose. This corresponds to the interpretation that there is more than one place to where one can go when they die.
Perspective of Ancient Israel
When looking at how many heavens there actually are in Christianity, it is important to look at the perspectives of the ancient Israelites. To them, the heavens were the source of God’s power and the place where he was enthroned above the earth. The heavens, then, were a place where people could go to worship God, as well as a place where their prayers could be heard. As such, the ancient Israelites typically referred to the heavens collectively, with no need to think of them as separate places.
Position of Jesus
The position of Jesus can also provide some insight into the number of heavens in Christianity. Jesus was resurrected from the dead and ascended into heaven, offering salvation to those who believe in him. He also spoke of a coming kingdom in the sky, which suggests that, in at least one sense, the heavens are a place of physical presence for God. He also spoke, quite cryptically, of different places in heaven for those who were to be judged and for those who were to be saved. This indicates that there are a multitude of places within the heavens, suggesting that there may be more than two or three heavens.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the question of how many heavens there are in Christianity is one that is open to interpretation. Scholars and theologians have provided numerous interpretations over the centuries, and it is clear that the Bible and the teachings of Jesus provide some insight into the number of heavens. While it is impossible to definitively say how many heavens there are in Christianity, it is clear that the complexity of the topic warrants further investigation.
