Paul and Dan return after a hiatus to provide an in-depth exploration of John 14:2. The episode discusses how the verse 'In my Father's house are many mansions' has been traditionally interpreted and suggests an alternative meaning that is related to the Jewish concepts of a temple and heaven. This reveals a profoundly comforting understanding of how Jesus enables a renewed, spiritually rich life for his followers, with a living relationship with God, rather than a literal journey to heaven.
We are regularly reminded that the earth is in a dangerous state. The impact of waste, pollution, climate change and unsustainable living threaten to transform this planet. What should a Christian do? And does the Bible provide any kind of guidance on this issue? Will the earth be destroyed or will it survive?
What or where is heaven? We explore what "heaven" meant to the Biblical writers, concluding that it's much less about a physical location and much more about the presence of God and a relationship that ordinary people (on earth) can have with him through Jesus.
In chapters 2 and 3 we discover the difficulties facing some of the early church communities and it all seems quite familiar and down to earth. But suddenly with chapter 4 the perspective changes with a view of a throne in heaven. How can the church's down-to-earth experience and the view from heaven come together?
When Jesus says "the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" what kind of kingdom is he talking about? Is heaven a location or something else? Dan and Laurence discover that the kingdom concept is deeply rooted in the message of Israel's ancient prophets while also carrying a timeless call to action.