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Heaven: why it may not be what you have always heard
What happens when you die? What is Paradise? Where is Heaven?
In a profoundly personal and theologically rich exploration, Rubel Shelly invites readers into a deeply human conversation about eternity. In a book written at his dying wife’s request, he shares some of their conversations as he and Myra tried to visualize what she was about to experience.
A biblical view of Heaven strengthens faith, makes hope more genuine, and embraces God’s love for us. Combining scholarship, pastoral experience, personal grief over Myra’s death, and confident hope in God’s promises, you are invited to become a conversation partner with them about what lies ahead.
This book challenges you to see Heaven not as escape, but as renewal. Not as some ethereal place “beyond the azure blue,” but as the fulfillment of God’s original purpose for this planet and our mission as people in his image.
“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them” (Rev 21:3).
In a profoundly personal and theologically rich exploration, Rubel Shelly invites readers into a deeply human conversation about eternity. In a book written at his dying wife’s request, he shares some of their conversations as he and Myra tried to visualize what she was about to experience.
A biblical view of Heaven strengthens faith, makes hope more genuine, and embraces God’s love for us. Combining scholarship, pastoral experience, personal grief over Myra’s death, and confident hope in God’s promises, you are invited to become a conversation partner with them about what lies ahead.
This book challenges you to see Heaven not as escape, but as renewal. Not as some ethereal place “beyond the azure blue,” but as the fulfillment of God’s original purpose for this planet and our mission as people in his image.
“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them” (Rev 21:3).
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2025
7 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Rubel Shelly
59 books8 followersDr. Rubel Shelly is an author, minister, and professor Lipscomb University. He is the former president of Rochester College.
Shelly began as an instructor in the department of Religion and Philosophy at Freed-Hardeman University in 1975. In 1978, Shelly began preaching as Senior Minister for the Family of God at Woodmont Hills, formerly known as the Woodmont Hills Church of Christ, in Nashville, Tennessee where he continued until 2005. While preaching at Woodmont Hills, he also taught at Lipscomb University, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and Tennessee State University. From 1979 to 1980 while he worked to complete his graduate work at Vanderbilt University, he served as a graduate assistant in the Department of Philosophy. From 1981 to 1983, he was an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Lipscomb University. In 1986, while continuing his education at Vanderbilt University, he taught as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine (Medical Ethics) until 1988. From 2000 to 2004, he was an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Tennessee State University.
When he stepped down from the pulpit in 2005, he began teaching again as a Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Rochester College, in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He was named the President of Rochester College in May 2009. He also currently serves as a co-minister for the Bristol Road Church of Christ in Flint, Michigan. In late 2012, Shelly announced that he would be stepping from his role as President at Rochester College by September 2013.
He is known primarily as a preacher. Shelly has been involved in debates and academic lectures on Christian apologetics, ethics, and medical ethics. Shelly has also served with such groups as the AIDS Education Committee of the American Red Cross.
He is the author or co-author of more than 30 books, including several which have been translated into languages such as Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, French, and Russian. He has published widely in religious journals.
Shelly began as an instructor in the department of Religion and Philosophy at Freed-Hardeman University in 1975. In 1978, Shelly began preaching as Senior Minister for the Family of God at Woodmont Hills, formerly known as the Woodmont Hills Church of Christ, in Nashville, Tennessee where he continued until 2005. While preaching at Woodmont Hills, he also taught at Lipscomb University, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and Tennessee State University. From 1979 to 1980 while he worked to complete his graduate work at Vanderbilt University, he served as a graduate assistant in the Department of Philosophy. From 1981 to 1983, he was an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Lipscomb University. In 1986, while continuing his education at Vanderbilt University, he taught as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine (Medical Ethics) until 1988. From 2000 to 2004, he was an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Tennessee State University.
When he stepped down from the pulpit in 2005, he began teaching again as a Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Rochester College, in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He was named the President of Rochester College in May 2009. He also currently serves as a co-minister for the Bristol Road Church of Christ in Flint, Michigan. In late 2012, Shelly announced that he would be stepping from his role as President at Rochester College by September 2013.
He is known primarily as a preacher. Shelly has been involved in debates and academic lectures on Christian apologetics, ethics, and medical ethics. Shelly has also served with such groups as the AIDS Education Committee of the American Red Cross.
He is the author or co-author of more than 30 books, including several which have been translated into languages such as Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, French, and Russian. He has published widely in religious journals.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 29, 2025
Shelly's book on Heaven is an excellent take on our best understanding of Heaven, and Life after Death. As he states at the beginning, it's difficult to fully explain Heaven since the Bible is not clear and no one who has been there shares what they understand. That being said, his information is accurate, as best as scholarship can determine at the moment, and written in a style that average Christians can read. Admittedly, there is no real new material here. If one has read Surprised By Hope by NT Wright or other such works, there is no new material. Where Shelly is helpful is that his book is much shorter, and easier to digest for non-academics.
January 3, 2026
I appreciate the fact that Shelly both gives deep textual detail of the scriptures used about this and still is humble enough to admit that most of his conclusions are at best hopes and guesses. I certainly hope for his conclusions to be true as well.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews