Modern American attitudes about heaven range from comforting to baffling

Christians in the early and medieval church gave us patterns that still govern how we think of heaven

Heaven in Christian art and music

Christians have wrestled for years—sometimes with each other—over whether there might be a “precursor” to heaven

Books, songs, art, poetry, and sermons that have helped us imagine the heavenly scene

Christians have tried to express a beauty that is ultimately inexpressible

Hell may be the best God can do for those who don't care for heavenly things

A grieving narrator has a vision of his young daughter in heaven

The tension between heaven above and new creation to come throughout church history

Pilgrim’s Progress gave many generations of Christians a way to understand their journey to heaven

Ever since the Enlightenment, some thinkers have tried to “think away” heaven, but it is still going strong

Famous Christian hymns about heaven—and the hope for heaven—from the church fathers to our own day

Images of heaven in popular culture

Christian History talks about the resurrection with N. T. Wright, author of Surprised by Hope

Learn more about the long history of Christian reflection on heaven and put today’s “heaven headlines” into context with resources recommended by CH editorial staff and this issue’s contributors