Talk:New Earth (Christianity)

Article Review

[I’m providing this review so that the “Review Required” box can be deleted from the article.]

Style: The article is written in a clear, concise, and flowing style which makes it easy to follow and enjoyable to read. It avoids the mistake of some theological articles on Wiki of relying too heavily on secondary sources and ignoring the primary source (i.e. the Bible itself). Secondary sources are clearly cited, but I think these would carry more weight if they were consistently quoted, rather than (as in some cases) just alluded to. In a situation where we can't assume familiarity with the cited sources, this is good style, and it proves that the source actually says what the author claims it says.

“Biblical References” section: Introduces the Biblical basis for the discussion.

“Human Nature” section: While the Bible teaches a bodily resurrection, there are indications that the resurrection body will be fundamentally different than the bodies we have now, and I think this section should make that clearer. Here are a couple of examples:

"In the resurrection, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels of God in heaven." (Mt 22:30)

“So also is the resurrection of the dead: the body is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." (1Cor 15:42-44)

Isaiah extends this fundamental change to all earthly creatures, not just humans:

The wolf will dwell with the lamb; the leopard will lie down with the young goat; the calf, and the young lion, and the yearling together, and a little child will lead them. The cow and the bear will graze; their young ones will lie down together; and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The nursing child will play by the cobra's hole; and the weaned child will put his hand in the viper's den. They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Is 11:5-9)

“Creation” section: This section provides valuable context.

“Restoration” section: The author indicates a preference for the existing Earth being renovated, rather than the creation of a completely new Earth. This is potentially controversial, but the author is not so dogmatic about it as to close off the alternative possibility entirely. By providing quotes, he lets the Bible speak for itself, and the reader is left with the sense that there is room for discussion, which is as it should be. It might be nice to go one step further and give an objective and neutral presentation of both views, however.

“Inheritance” section. Even though, as far as we know, all of the Bible documents were written by males, the phrase “it has been written by men” grates a little. “Human beings” might be better in this day and age, unless you have a particular reason for stating their gender, which doesn't seem to be the case here.

An issue with regard to the sequence of eschatological events comes up in this section. Many people follow the literal order of Revelation, which has the millennial age prior to, and separate from, the new heaven and earth. Those who believe in a literal Millennium could argue that the quotes given (Mt 5:5, Rom 4:13, and Rev 5:9-10) refer to the millennial age, not the new Earth, especially if they believe that the present Earth will be destroyed, rather than renovated. Some clarification might be in order. If it's a matter of interpretation, that's fine, but it should be stated as such and explained.

Final Thoughts: There's a city in the New Earth -- the New Jerusalem -- and Revelation gives considerable attention to it (see Rev 21:1-22:5 and 22:14-15). It seems like some mention should be made of it here, and perhaps even a section could be devoted to it. Incidentally, there's a Wiki article entitled "New Jerusalem." I haven't read it, but you might want to check it out if you haven't done so already. Perhaps you can contribute to it, or borrow something from it. Look out, though; Wiki is addictive.

All in all, a very positive addition to Wiki's collection of articles on Christian theology. I added a link to this article on the disambiguation page for “New Earth,” also on the “Book of Revelation” and “Christian Eschatology” pages. You might want to add redirects for associated phrases like “New Heaven and Earth” and “New Heavens and Earth” (I don’t know how to do that). --gdm (talk) 20:28, 18 June 2010 (UTC)

Thank Your for this Excellent Review!

GMasterman

I just wanted to thank your for the excellent review comments you provided for my article on The New Earth. I will take your suggestions very seriously and do an update as soon as I can. It won't be this week, however, as I am off to camp, but I'll get on it ASAP. I read through your comments fairly rapidly, but they all appear to be very reasonable and will make for a stronger article. Dr G 1408 (talk) 06:52, 20 June 2010 (UTC)

You're welcome! --gdm (talk) 18:15, 20 June 2010 (UTC)

Questionable Article Content

Dear Sir. I'm not sure if this article belongs in Wikipedia in it's current format. I have posted my concerns here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Help_desk#May_22. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.191.106.214 (talk) 21:57, 22 May 2011 (UTC)

Women

Will women be equal to men on New Earth? Will they have to obey and not "usurp authority" from men? Will everyone do as they like, no one being submissive to anyone? This isn't meant to be offensive. I just would like to know because Christianity says many questionable things about women. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.70.197.229 (talk) 20:01, 29 January 2012 (UTC) I am pretty sure that women will be equal to men. According to Christianity, things will be like in the garden of Eden, when women was equal to man. The reason why women aren't equal in Christianity is that woman ate the forbidden fruit first. McBenjamin (talk) 02:24, 22 December 2012 (UTC)