Several years ago, I engaged in a wide-ranging spiritual discussion in a group when I said in jest, “Once we get to heaven, we won’t need to sing that hymn anymore!”
Sometimes, we say things in the moment and then realize they are likely true. (Not always, trust me.)
But let’s face it, we won’t be singing the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “God Bless America,” or “Onward Christian Soldiers” while living on the new earth God is preparing for all Christ-followers to live through eternity future.
Music lyrics will be redeemed like everything else.
In fact, most (or all) Christian books written now won’t be written for “new-earth” dwellers since there will be no sin, illness, or anything imperfect to deal with.
For example, like all fiction, Christian fiction requires a protagonist and an antagonist, along with a portrayal of basic human frailties and issues, which will make no sense in a perfect world where everything is as God intended.
Nonfiction is affected as well.
Books on marriage? No.
Parenting and family dynamics? No.
Relationship issues? No.
Dealing with a damaged past? No.
Coping with the death of a loved one, or anyone for that matter? No need.
What to say at a funeral to someone who grieves? No market for it.
Finding meaning in life? Shortest manuscript ever.
Sharing your faith? Not necessary.
Building relationships between people not like you? No need.
Correcting false teaching? Nope.
Comparative religions? Huh?
Books about the first disciples who spread the gospel far and wide? Just ask them. First-person stories are always the best, anyway.
Devotionals to remind a reader of God’s daily presence? Probably not necessary.
How to help the poor and oppressed? No market.
Handbook of English Bible translations? Umm, no.
Our perspective is so influenced by living in a fallen world that pondering what life would be like apart from it is impossible. Our understanding of a perfect eternity would be incomplete at best. Likely, it is not even close to reality. (Praise God for that!)
So, what books will be written for New Earth readers?
We can only imagine.
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children” (Revelation 21:1-7, NIV).
Writing Conflict: How to Keep Your Protagonist on Their Toes With Angela Hunt
There’s a thing of which I’m sure,
that God has doctors Up Above,
not for illnesses to cure,
but ’cause rugby’s what I love
and that game just ain’t complete
without the crunch of breaking bone
and a face just like raw meat
to set the savage genteel tone.
And the quacks, they will enjoy
sewing up our lacerations,
setting fractures that employ
casts with pen-drawn decorations,
and there’ll be beer that heals the pain
to get us on the pitch again.
Thanks, Dan! What an enlightening perspective. Maybe we’ll write travelogues and draw maps of how to explore one glory after another glory. Mountains to climb, horses to ride (be sure to visit my ranch when you arrive, I’ll have one saddled for you), colorful gardens with plants and flowers we’ve not known existed. Another planet, another star to investigate. Can you imagine?
Well said, Dan.
Andrew Budek-Schmeisser jokes that doctors will still be needed in heaven for the rugby. I’m a family doctor now, but I think I will soon be out of a job.
I’m hoping to retool, on the far side, as a scholar and teacher—something quiet. Sound is hard on me, though I suppose noise won’t be difficult once we cross the Sea. Perhaps the continuous praise of God through singing is metaphor, in part. It seems that writing endures in heaven, and perhaps in a form more tangible than modern electronics.
Wow. Thanks for that amazing perspective, Dan. That’s also wonderfully comforting (worth the adverb). I’m going to write a book there titled, “Bored? Not Likely!” with no pages. It’ll be a best seller, second to Ginny’s travelogues, except for the fact no one will have to buy it.
Save me a copy of your book!
In heaven we will finally understand that we’ve each been the story He’s been writing about Himself all along.
How have you nailed my biggest fear as a Christian author?
Hi Dan! Great article brother. We might have to talk about ‘New Earth Publications’ …. God bless you! Always enjoyed working with you.
Interesting perspective. Thanks Dan for some good thoughts on a Wednesday morning.
Ginny said it well. Once we are functioning as we should have with the Creation. Life will be so beyond understanding the thought of what to write is challenging. But I know I am created to create beauty through writing. So I can’t wait to be free to function as designed. I wrote a short story about our life then. I am still working on it. But it is fun to imagine what we will do in the New Earth. We will write great literature. Art in all forms will be Glorious!
Derek, “free to function as designed.” Great concept.
Wow. Just Wow.
Great read. Well done!
Hi, Dan. Your take is thought-provoking. I wonder about some other events that should come between. Many of us who love His appearing expect Christ to return with His own as little as seven years from now. Will what we write now survive into His perfect millennial reign? And, if so will those need some revision when we see Him as He is and we know as we are known?
A much-needed perspective in a world focused on fulfilling my own desires in a decadent, upside-down society. Thanks!
Love this 😀
That was an amazing post, thank you!
A thought-provoking (and smile provoking!) perspective. Thank you, Dan.
I will write a true story about how the enemy tried to silence the gospel through various means and how each time God thwarted his efforts by raising up a seemingly insignificant someone, such as me, igniting a fire in that persons heart that burst forth and demolished the strongholds of the enemy.
It will recount multiple times when the king of kings crushed the enemy. My book will include the time in 2023 when he prompted an author to release “Pistis the Third Element” and restore the true meaning of faith, when the enemy had nearly extinguished that powerful element. It will be a best seller.😉
Will there be Psalms that will go unread, for they will be utterly obsolete (I am thinking about Ps. 144)?
And will there be need for those who have been formed by what is now discarded, who await the sound of a bell that will ring no more?
I read your post when my current manuscript is a Memoir from an Honest Caregiver and a month after my husband left this earth and now resides in the New Earth. Such truth in your writing gave me motivation to get my book completed along with fresh hope for beyond — the now and not yet.
Interesting perspective. I never thought about how books would factor in!
Amen!
I’ve been hoping to work on a few of these 🙂 “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” John 21:25