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All Things New: Heaven, Earth, and the Restoration of Everything You Love
New York Times bestselling author John Eldredge offers readers a breathtaking look into God’s promise for a new heaven and a new earth.
This revolutionary book about our future is based on the simple idea that, according to the Bible, heaven is not our eternal home--the New Earth is. As Jesus says in the gospel of Matthew, the next chapter of our story begins with "the renewal of all things," by which he means the earth we love in all its beauty, our own selves, and the things that make for a rich music, art, food, laughter and all that we hold dear. Everything shall be renewed "when the world is made new."
More than anything else, how you envision your future shapes your current experience. If you knew that God was going to restore your life and everything you love any day; if you believed a great and glorious goodness was coming to you--not in a vague heaven but right here on this earth--you would have a hope to see you through anything, an anchor for your soul, "an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God" (Hebrews 6:19).
Most Christians (most people for that matter) fail to look forward to their future because their view of heaven is vague, religious, and frankly boring. Hope begins when we understand that for the believer nothing is lost. Heaven is not a life in the clouds; it is not endless harp-strumming or worship-singing. Rather, the life we long for, the paradise Adam and Eve knew, is precisely the life that is coming to us. And that life is coming soon.
This revolutionary book about our future is based on the simple idea that, according to the Bible, heaven is not our eternal home--the New Earth is. As Jesus says in the gospel of Matthew, the next chapter of our story begins with "the renewal of all things," by which he means the earth we love in all its beauty, our own selves, and the things that make for a rich music, art, food, laughter and all that we hold dear. Everything shall be renewed "when the world is made new."
More than anything else, how you envision your future shapes your current experience. If you knew that God was going to restore your life and everything you love any day; if you believed a great and glorious goodness was coming to you--not in a vague heaven but right here on this earth--you would have a hope to see you through anything, an anchor for your soul, "an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God" (Hebrews 6:19).
Most Christians (most people for that matter) fail to look forward to their future because their view of heaven is vague, religious, and frankly boring. Hope begins when we understand that for the believer nothing is lost. Heaven is not a life in the clouds; it is not endless harp-strumming or worship-singing. Rather, the life we long for, the paradise Adam and Eve knew, is precisely the life that is coming to us. And that life is coming soon.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2017
580 people are currently reading
2066 people want to read
About the author
John Eldredge
227 books1,949 followersJohn Eldredge is an American author, counselor, and lecturer on Christianity. He is known for his best-selling book Wild at Heart.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 263 reviews
May 7, 2020
So John Eldredge is my favorite author and I have read practically everything he's ever written. Though this book is very well-written and an enjoyable read...it's my least favorite of the Eldredge books I've read so far. I don't want to say this to mean it's a "bad" book...I just mean to say...it's a book about what Heaven will be like and maybe I'm one who doesn't think about that subject very often. I know Heaven is going to be amazing and I just leave it at that. But Eldredge encourages me to go deeper into what the Word says about what will really happen once Jesus Christ returns and Earth will be renewed. I guess what I didn't like was the references Eldredge uses to show what a "bad place" Earth currently is, with examples of prostitution and sex trafficking...not really a subject I want to read about or be reminded of. And this book talks about Death a lot which also made me feel uncomfortable. Eldredge talks about the renewal of all things that are important to us, and the restoration of relationships and the freshness of life as we know it in the near future, and his revelations were very encouraging to read. This is definitely a good book to read especially if you ever lost someone close to you and need Hope for what lies ahead as a Believer in the Christian Faith.
May 8, 2017
This is a very important book, I think. I want to try and make an active change in my mindset - putting my hopes into the coming kingdom and what Jesus has for me, and living expectantly.
March 23, 2018
This is a bad book. The premise - that after the second coming of Christ, the Earth is renewed and THAT is where most of us will ultimately end up when we typically think of "Heaven" - is worthwhile. It's worth consideration and meditation. HOWEVER - This book should have been a 500 word essay; instead it reads like "I wrote a best seller 17 years ago and now I need to put the kids through college so I took a 500 word essay and somehow made it a 200 page book."
A ridiculous amount of this book is literally text from J.R.R. Tolkien's the Lord of the Rings or the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe series. Why? Because Eldredge likes it, I guess, and it's easier than writing his own book?
A strange amount of this book reads like a revenge fantasy. At one point he tells the reader that he and a group of men worked very hard on a movie that was a retelling of the Gospel ... but with motorcycles. It boggles my mind that he expected that to be universally loved, and he dwells on the idea that in heaven, everyone who disliked his movie will APOLOGIZE TO HIM BECAUSE HE HAD GOOD INTENTIONS. Because not liking everyone's art is a mortal sin, I guess.
So often throughout this book he takes an idea that has Biblical basis - take, for example, the idea that our afterlives, should we become part of the Kingdom of God, will be spent advancing the Kingdom - and then makes it ridiculous by trying to stretch it out into 20 pages so he could make it a fucking book. At one point he seriously contemplates who will make furniture in heaven. At another point he seriously contemplates what Jesus named his horse, and whether or not he wore a saddle - as if these things were important to our understanding of the Kingdom of God.
He also doesn't address questions that are, in my opinion, incredibly obvious. He addresses the fact that not everyone goes to Heaven as a great, wonderful thing; he also repeatedly makes the point that we will be reunited with everyone we love in Heaven. These two things may be compatible for him, but they certainly aren't for me, and for most Christians.
He makes a point of invalidating "some branches of Christianity" that don't acknowledge the personal existence of evil - but then he never defines what the personal existence of evil even is. Again, this seems terribly obvious to me - all of us know non-Christians who we think of as good and kind people; and all of us know Christians who sin terribly and consistently, seemingly without repentance. For him to write as if people were wholly good or wholly evil is reductive and frankly, stupid.
Don't fall for it. Do not suggest this for your next Christian book study. There are too many far more worthy titles.
A ridiculous amount of this book is literally text from J.R.R. Tolkien's the Lord of the Rings or the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe series. Why? Because Eldredge likes it, I guess, and it's easier than writing his own book?
A strange amount of this book reads like a revenge fantasy. At one point he tells the reader that he and a group of men worked very hard on a movie that was a retelling of the Gospel ... but with motorcycles. It boggles my mind that he expected that to be universally loved, and he dwells on the idea that in heaven, everyone who disliked his movie will APOLOGIZE TO HIM BECAUSE HE HAD GOOD INTENTIONS. Because not liking everyone's art is a mortal sin, I guess.
So often throughout this book he takes an idea that has Biblical basis - take, for example, the idea that our afterlives, should we become part of the Kingdom of God, will be spent advancing the Kingdom - and then makes it ridiculous by trying to stretch it out into 20 pages so he could make it a fucking book. At one point he seriously contemplates who will make furniture in heaven. At another point he seriously contemplates what Jesus named his horse, and whether or not he wore a saddle - as if these things were important to our understanding of the Kingdom of God.
He also doesn't address questions that are, in my opinion, incredibly obvious. He addresses the fact that not everyone goes to Heaven as a great, wonderful thing; he also repeatedly makes the point that we will be reunited with everyone we love in Heaven. These two things may be compatible for him, but they certainly aren't for me, and for most Christians.
He makes a point of invalidating "some branches of Christianity" that don't acknowledge the personal existence of evil - but then he never defines what the personal existence of evil even is. Again, this seems terribly obvious to me - all of us know non-Christians who we think of as good and kind people; and all of us know Christians who sin terribly and consistently, seemingly without repentance. For him to write as if people were wholly good or wholly evil is reductive and frankly, stupid.
Don't fall for it. Do not suggest this for your next Christian book study. There are too many far more worthy titles.
February 9, 2020
I wish there were more stars. One of the most soul enriching, life changing books I've ever read. All I want to think about now is who I'll be and what I'll be doing (and where I'll explore!) in the new heaven and new earth of the Kingdom. I have put a copy of this book into more hands than I can remember now. I wish I could put one into yours. Read this book if you want more hope, anticipation, wonder, and joy in your soul.
April 24, 2025
My new favorite book! I don’t reread books often but I want to read this over and over for the rest of my life.
April 10, 2024
Great book on what “heaven” and the restoration will be like. Can’t wait to visit all the places that hold special places in my heart.
January 30, 2020
You know what? This is kind of an odd book. The thing with John Eldredge is (and always has been), he'll often throw something out there that feels theologically off- sometimes a tiny bit, sometimes a lot. It's where the uniqueness of his perspectives often comes from.
In Wild at Heart he took heat for referring to God as "A risk taker." But I must say that book had a big take away for me at the point in my life that I read it. I understood the theological issues, but I also knew where Eldredge's heart was in the statement. I really got something good from that book.
I liked parts of this one, too. There are places where his unique perspective begs or explicitly asks really important questions about the "common knowledge" Christians employ in discussing heaven and eternity. I was healthily provoked by a few of his questions, and I have dog-eared many pages in this book.
The problem is, I also dog-eared many pages because I thought, "I don't know about that," and I wanted to re-visit them. When I finished the book and went back to those sections, I realized there was one consistent problem that might prevent me from recommending this book, or at least make me be very careful who I recommended it to. Exactly like the pop-Christian books by people who claim they've seen heaven or hell, Eldredge claims to have literally seen the future: scenes of heaven in dreams that God gives him. Problematically, these dreams directly mirror scenes from the Narnia and Lord of the Rings books Eldredge loves and always refers to in his own books (I love them too).
It's fine that Eldredge believes he's literally seen the future eternity, and he does a great job explaining how this should give him and everyone else hope, but... Do I really have to explain why this gives me huge pause? I mean, maybe I dream of driving a Ferrari in heaven, and Eldredge dreams of sailing on "three masted ships." But I would never claim I absolutely saw heaven just because I had a dream about it.
That's the difference between Eldredge and I, and I think it's worth saying. I also think it's worth saying that it's probably fine if someone reads this book and takes hope from the idea of riding horses in eternity. But I think we should acknowledge that there's no explicit biblical reason to say there are three masted ships or Ferraris in heaven. A theology professor (Eldredge and I graduated from the same University, as a matter of fact) once told me "The God of the Bible does not exist outside the Bible" and it's probably the most important thing I heard in theological studies. He meant that people will claim to know or have seen all kinds of things pertinent to the historical Christian faith, but maybe they are just making it up. Maybe they think it's true but it's not. Is that harmful?
In the Bible, Jesus says to "judge a tree by its fruit," and that's where I think I will leave it in regard to this book.
In Wild at Heart he took heat for referring to God as "A risk taker." But I must say that book had a big take away for me at the point in my life that I read it. I understood the theological issues, but I also knew where Eldredge's heart was in the statement. I really got something good from that book.
I liked parts of this one, too. There are places where his unique perspective begs or explicitly asks really important questions about the "common knowledge" Christians employ in discussing heaven and eternity. I was healthily provoked by a few of his questions, and I have dog-eared many pages in this book.
The problem is, I also dog-eared many pages because I thought, "I don't know about that," and I wanted to re-visit them. When I finished the book and went back to those sections, I realized there was one consistent problem that might prevent me from recommending this book, or at least make me be very careful who I recommended it to. Exactly like the pop-Christian books by people who claim they've seen heaven or hell, Eldredge claims to have literally seen the future: scenes of heaven in dreams that God gives him. Problematically, these dreams directly mirror scenes from the Narnia and Lord of the Rings books Eldredge loves and always refers to in his own books (I love them too).
It's fine that Eldredge believes he's literally seen the future eternity, and he does a great job explaining how this should give him and everyone else hope, but... Do I really have to explain why this gives me huge pause? I mean, maybe I dream of driving a Ferrari in heaven, and Eldredge dreams of sailing on "three masted ships." But I would never claim I absolutely saw heaven just because I had a dream about it.
That's the difference between Eldredge and I, and I think it's worth saying. I also think it's worth saying that it's probably fine if someone reads this book and takes hope from the idea of riding horses in eternity. But I think we should acknowledge that there's no explicit biblical reason to say there are three masted ships or Ferraris in heaven. A theology professor (Eldredge and I graduated from the same University, as a matter of fact) once told me "The God of the Bible does not exist outside the Bible" and it's probably the most important thing I heard in theological studies. He meant that people will claim to know or have seen all kinds of things pertinent to the historical Christian faith, but maybe they are just making it up. Maybe they think it's true but it's not. Is that harmful?
In the Bible, Jesus says to "judge a tree by its fruit," and that's where I think I will leave it in regard to this book.
December 7, 2020
The renewed earth vs. heaven distinction was a new idea to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, but I wished there were more Scripture references and less novel references for the part of me that wants to analyze the claims he made. But all in all, I found the message of the book to be fairly convincing nonetheless. Hope is powerful, and where you put it matters. And eternal life is something greater than we often give it credit.
October 5, 2022
Reading this book will awaken longings you didn’t know you had and give you a hope worth fighting for.
Oh, how I long for the new creation! To see all things made new will be inexpressible joy. I especially loved the chapter on laying up treasure and looking eagerly forward to receiving rewards for every sacrifice made in this life for the Kingdom. It will be worth it!
Four stars instead of five because the reference to movies (and books) was a bit excessive for my taste.
Oh, how I long for the new creation! To see all things made new will be inexpressible joy. I especially loved the chapter on laying up treasure and looking eagerly forward to receiving rewards for every sacrifice made in this life for the Kingdom. It will be worth it!
Four stars instead of five because the reference to movies (and books) was a bit excessive for my taste.
March 17, 2022
I needed this book. And so do you! Such a fun and exciting read to help you meditate on the New Heavens and Earth!
September 13, 2017
First, let me open by saying this will be a longer review. If you want a sound bite review, the shorter version would be that this book offers an intelligent, thoughtful, keen view on the work that Jesus did and is continuing to do. It will challenge your preconceptions in a good way as well as how those have shaped the way you see the world and how you engage in it. It also offers tremendous hope; a thing I think this world needs some more of. I highly recommend this to anyone in the church.
To continue to my longer review, let me start by saying I am a fan of the writings of John Eldredge. I have read most of his books and have attended the Wild at Heart Bootcamp. I will attempt to be earnest and honest in my assessment of All Things New, but be aware that I may be in his target demographic. [Amendment - John is just a man. Not everything he says may be 100% accurate and may not resonate with everyone - I use the approach of discerning this by asking Jesus what is meant for me and what isn't - a method I would implore any reader to take]
This book had me take a hard look at what I have believed about Jesus work at my core. I have fallen into the trap of a distorted view of what Jesus really came to do at times. When Eldredge points out how the ills of the world and society have crept in and distorted the message, that resonates. I believed for most of my life that heaven was a separate, ethereal “worship service in the sky” like many of his readers. And frankly, that wasn’t necessarily a place I wanted to spend eternity if I am honest.
The picture of the renewing and restoration of all things was not new to me, per se, but it hadn’t been taught to me in this way. The hope that all wrongs will be righted, all potential will be realized, and the beauty of Gods creation will be as He intended it was for the most part some vague idea. Eldredge puts it into natural world context. The mountains you love will be perfect, the cities will be perfect, the flora and fauna as they once were—perfect. Gone are the worries, anxieties, and doubts of what others think of you, of how you fit in. We all work together in harmony, not against one another. The creativity will be pure, the adventure will be free of risk, fun and joy as they were meant to be. We will do and be what we were always meant to. This is truly a remarkable thought and breath-taking.
For those worried about this picture of a new earth, Eldredge wastes no time in going to the source: what does scripture actually say and what did Jesus himself say? He also weaves in thoughts from several scholars including many renowned biblical and theological ones (Wright, Lewis, Chesterton, Pascale, MacDonald, Willard – just to name a few). There is also a great deal of scientific data to back up the picture scripture paints about how the earth has fallen and needs restoration.
All in all, I found myself weeping at times from either joy or sadness. I also found myself smiling at the thought of everything that is dear to me being restored. The idea of sitting around a campfire in the new earth and telling stories and laughing into the night with no limits, holding my dearest friends and family close, and feeling as though this will never end brought sheer joy to me. I have a renewed sense of hope. This is all building towards Jesus coming to make all things new. There is a divine reason that is not vague and fully unknown – he will make us and this place what it was always meant to be.
To continue to my longer review, let me start by saying I am a fan of the writings of John Eldredge. I have read most of his books and have attended the Wild at Heart Bootcamp. I will attempt to be earnest and honest in my assessment of All Things New, but be aware that I may be in his target demographic. [Amendment - John is just a man. Not everything he says may be 100% accurate and may not resonate with everyone - I use the approach of discerning this by asking Jesus what is meant for me and what isn't - a method I would implore any reader to take]
This book had me take a hard look at what I have believed about Jesus work at my core. I have fallen into the trap of a distorted view of what Jesus really came to do at times. When Eldredge points out how the ills of the world and society have crept in and distorted the message, that resonates. I believed for most of my life that heaven was a separate, ethereal “worship service in the sky” like many of his readers. And frankly, that wasn’t necessarily a place I wanted to spend eternity if I am honest.
The picture of the renewing and restoration of all things was not new to me, per se, but it hadn’t been taught to me in this way. The hope that all wrongs will be righted, all potential will be realized, and the beauty of Gods creation will be as He intended it was for the most part some vague idea. Eldredge puts it into natural world context. The mountains you love will be perfect, the cities will be perfect, the flora and fauna as they once were—perfect. Gone are the worries, anxieties, and doubts of what others think of you, of how you fit in. We all work together in harmony, not against one another. The creativity will be pure, the adventure will be free of risk, fun and joy as they were meant to be. We will do and be what we were always meant to. This is truly a remarkable thought and breath-taking.
For those worried about this picture of a new earth, Eldredge wastes no time in going to the source: what does scripture actually say and what did Jesus himself say? He also weaves in thoughts from several scholars including many renowned biblical and theological ones (Wright, Lewis, Chesterton, Pascale, MacDonald, Willard – just to name a few). There is also a great deal of scientific data to back up the picture scripture paints about how the earth has fallen and needs restoration.
All in all, I found myself weeping at times from either joy or sadness. I also found myself smiling at the thought of everything that is dear to me being restored. The idea of sitting around a campfire in the new earth and telling stories and laughing into the night with no limits, holding my dearest friends and family close, and feeling as though this will never end brought sheer joy to me. I have a renewed sense of hope. This is all building towards Jesus coming to make all things new. There is a divine reason that is not vague and fully unknown – he will make us and this place what it was always meant to be.
November 24, 2017
What we feel about the future impacts how we feel now. Eldredge wants readers to have hope, “the confident expectation of goodness coming to us.” (9) Jesus promised the renewal of all things in Matt. 19:28. Restoration of all things is coming, not annihilation.
After building a case for our need for hope, Eldredge unpacks what the renewal of all things means to us. “The renewal of all things simply means that the earth you love – all your special places and treasured memories – is restored and renewed and given back to you. Forever.” (35) He awakens our imagination to what earth would be like, restored to its full glory. The animal kingdom will be restored. We will be too, our bodies, our characters, all will be healed and restored. There will be a settling of accounts. Apologies will be made and received. (121) Wrongs will be avenged. (148)
This all sounds wonderful but I was left with a few questions. Edlredge reminds us that some will not be a part of this renewal. (191) He failed to address how believers will feel when close friends or family members are not part of the renewal. “Nothing is lost, not for the friends of God,” Eldredge declares. (187) Will that be the case for a parent when an unsaved child is not part of the renewal?
Eldredge encourages readers to know that “everything will be restored to you and then some...” (200) He is an outdoors person and wrote of bow hunting moose in the wilds of the Yukon – a “dream come true.” (202) For believers who love hunting and fishing, will that be restored and then some in the renewal?
Eldredge recently discovered this truth of the future renewal. For Christians who are unaware of this aspect of the future, this book is a good introduction to the topic. To astute Bible readers familiar with Revelation 21 and similar passages, there may not be much new in this book. You will be able to read portions of many novels quoted at length, however.
I received a complimentary galley of this book through Icon Media. My comments are an independent and honest review.
After building a case for our need for hope, Eldredge unpacks what the renewal of all things means to us. “The renewal of all things simply means that the earth you love – all your special places and treasured memories – is restored and renewed and given back to you. Forever.” (35) He awakens our imagination to what earth would be like, restored to its full glory. The animal kingdom will be restored. We will be too, our bodies, our characters, all will be healed and restored. There will be a settling of accounts. Apologies will be made and received. (121) Wrongs will be avenged. (148)
This all sounds wonderful but I was left with a few questions. Edlredge reminds us that some will not be a part of this renewal. (191) He failed to address how believers will feel when close friends or family members are not part of the renewal. “Nothing is lost, not for the friends of God,” Eldredge declares. (187) Will that be the case for a parent when an unsaved child is not part of the renewal?
Eldredge encourages readers to know that “everything will be restored to you and then some...” (200) He is an outdoors person and wrote of bow hunting moose in the wilds of the Yukon – a “dream come true.” (202) For believers who love hunting and fishing, will that be restored and then some in the renewal?
Eldredge recently discovered this truth of the future renewal. For Christians who are unaware of this aspect of the future, this book is a good introduction to the topic. To astute Bible readers familiar with Revelation 21 and similar passages, there may not be much new in this book. You will be able to read portions of many novels quoted at length, however.
I received a complimentary galley of this book through Icon Media. My comments are an independent and honest review.
March 6, 2018
Look, any book that quotes repeatedly from NT Wright, Dallas Willard, CS Lewis and Tolkien is alright with me.
Speaking of NT Wright, this book inevitably draws comparisons with "Surprised by Hope" if you've read it, and I did attempt to compare them, but I realized as I was reading I was comparing apples with oranges. Sure, they deal with the same subject, and on very similar interpretations, and they flow mostly through the same major points: resurrection of the body, restoration of nature, cultural mandate, intermediate state, etc. But NT Wright's book is thick with theological thinking, making the reader think, while this book is light and inspirational, meant to make one dream. NT Wright is a philosopher. John Eldredge is a poet. He even acknowledges and embraces this bend away from pure practical into the emotional - he justifies it towards the end of the book and I think he's right. Some might like one more than the other, but I realize I need both: one to convince me, the other to uplift me.
It did make me nervous a bit when it almost went too far in imaging details of the new world. Of course, the Bible does give us a few hints, but it also says humans can't imagine what's prepared for us. So if you try to paint an imagine of it, even with a talent like this, you can't do it justice. However bringing Middle Earth and Narnia in the picture does help to convey the idea of a world recognizable, but different. And there's a lot of Middle Earth and Narnia in there, probably more than I've seen in any book other than Tolkien's and Lewis' own.
I recommend this book in audio format, due to its poetic quality and the fact that it's read by the author, with just the right amount of emphasis in the right places.
Speaking of NT Wright, this book inevitably draws comparisons with "Surprised by Hope" if you've read it, and I did attempt to compare them, but I realized as I was reading I was comparing apples with oranges. Sure, they deal with the same subject, and on very similar interpretations, and they flow mostly through the same major points: resurrection of the body, restoration of nature, cultural mandate, intermediate state, etc. But NT Wright's book is thick with theological thinking, making the reader think, while this book is light and inspirational, meant to make one dream. NT Wright is a philosopher. John Eldredge is a poet. He even acknowledges and embraces this bend away from pure practical into the emotional - he justifies it towards the end of the book and I think he's right. Some might like one more than the other, but I realize I need both: one to convince me, the other to uplift me.
It did make me nervous a bit when it almost went too far in imaging details of the new world. Of course, the Bible does give us a few hints, but it also says humans can't imagine what's prepared for us. So if you try to paint an imagine of it, even with a talent like this, you can't do it justice. However bringing Middle Earth and Narnia in the picture does help to convey the idea of a world recognizable, but different. And there's a lot of Middle Earth and Narnia in there, probably more than I've seen in any book other than Tolkien's and Lewis' own.
I recommend this book in audio format, due to its poetic quality and the fact that it's read by the author, with just the right amount of emphasis in the right places.
July 7, 2023
Will be listening to more Christian audiobooks after this. It was so sweet to just have this spoken over me!
I appreciated having my mind opened to new life on the new earth. We can scrap our bucket lists because soon all things will be made new and will be ours to enjoy forever! This was full of nice reminders, like how limited my imagination is, how crucial the second coming of Christ is to the believer’s walk on earth, and how I do not have because I do not ask (James 4:2) because my desires are simply too small!
I feel so excited about what our creative God has planned for us for eternity!! It’s going to be SO GOOD!!!!
I appreciated having my mind opened to new life on the new earth. We can scrap our bucket lists because soon all things will be made new and will be ours to enjoy forever! This was full of nice reminders, like how limited my imagination is, how crucial the second coming of Christ is to the believer’s walk on earth, and how I do not have because I do not ask (James 4:2) because my desires are simply too small!
I feel so excited about what our creative God has planned for us for eternity!! It’s going to be SO GOOD!!!!
July 12, 2019
Although the content of this book was superb it was rather long and drawn out. I would have preferred 3.5 stars. I did not particularly like the writing style. His constant references to The Lord of the Rings and other fantasy fiction books drove me nuts! If you want hope for eternity though, I would read it.
September 18, 2022
Wow… so much hope
July 6, 2023
a really sweet preview of what’s to come and a challenge of how we really view His majesty
November 7, 2017
Some books hold the power to change your entire perspective. All Things New did that for me, and I consider it a rare and beautiful treasure I will never forget.
Many books have been written about heaven, but few focus on the renewal of earth and God’s promises of rewards. I was moved to tears again and again by the glimpses of pure joy, hope, and love I had never recognized before in scripture. I love how John Eldredge illuminates familiar Bible passages with such rich meaning, and does so with almost whimsical, boyish glee.
Even though I’ve been a Christian my whole life, hope has been a struggle for me. As one who has suffered from emotional abuse, depression, and rejection for decades, I clung to my faith for survival. Only in the past couple years have I learned that God has an abundant life waiting for me beyond survival mode, and this book powerfully pulls back the curtain on the wonderful treasures Jesus was preparing for me while I was suffering, and is still preparing for me now.
A Powerful Quote
I highlighted many passages for further reflection, but this long one gave me the most pause, based on Isaiah 60:5:
Imagine–after your enemies are judged and banished, great treasure chests are then brought in and set before you…Jesus tells you to open them. You ask, “What are these, Lord?” and he replies, These are the gifts I meant for you in your former life but were stolen or prevented from making it to you. I return them now, with interest…You hear laughter coming from one, for so much of what has been lost are memories and joy…Then you turn to your right and ask, “And what are these chests, Lord?” These are the rewards for your life’s choices, your victories, your perseverance, and your service. In addition to your estates, of course, he says with a smile.
Those treasure chests are yours, friends; their contents will thrill your heart and redeem so much of what you have endured here…You will open those chests, look, and be radiant. Your heart will throb and swell with joy.
Does that passage whisper hope and joy to you like it does to me? I am not exaggerating when I say this book is in the top 10 most life-changing books I’ve ever read. The best thing of all is that the inspiring message comes straight out of scripture. John Eldredge simply unlocks God’s glorious truth in a winsome, powerful way and seasons it with poignant insights and anecdotes.
Hope That Lasts
I give this book my highest recommendation to anyone looking for hope that lasts. And oh, how we need hope in these difficult days. If you have ever suffered from injustice, rejection or abuse, this book will help heal your wounds like nothing else has done before.
I received a free review copy of All Things New from the BookLook Blogger program. Thank you so much for this life-changing gift, friends at Thomas Nelson!
Many books have been written about heaven, but few focus on the renewal of earth and God’s promises of rewards. I was moved to tears again and again by the glimpses of pure joy, hope, and love I had never recognized before in scripture. I love how John Eldredge illuminates familiar Bible passages with such rich meaning, and does so with almost whimsical, boyish glee.
Even though I’ve been a Christian my whole life, hope has been a struggle for me. As one who has suffered from emotional abuse, depression, and rejection for decades, I clung to my faith for survival. Only in the past couple years have I learned that God has an abundant life waiting for me beyond survival mode, and this book powerfully pulls back the curtain on the wonderful treasures Jesus was preparing for me while I was suffering, and is still preparing for me now.
A Powerful Quote
I highlighted many passages for further reflection, but this long one gave me the most pause, based on Isaiah 60:5:
Imagine–after your enemies are judged and banished, great treasure chests are then brought in and set before you…Jesus tells you to open them. You ask, “What are these, Lord?” and he replies, These are the gifts I meant for you in your former life but were stolen or prevented from making it to you. I return them now, with interest…You hear laughter coming from one, for so much of what has been lost are memories and joy…Then you turn to your right and ask, “And what are these chests, Lord?” These are the rewards for your life’s choices, your victories, your perseverance, and your service. In addition to your estates, of course, he says with a smile.
Those treasure chests are yours, friends; their contents will thrill your heart and redeem so much of what you have endured here…You will open those chests, look, and be radiant. Your heart will throb and swell with joy.
Does that passage whisper hope and joy to you like it does to me? I am not exaggerating when I say this book is in the top 10 most life-changing books I’ve ever read. The best thing of all is that the inspiring message comes straight out of scripture. John Eldredge simply unlocks God’s glorious truth in a winsome, powerful way and seasons it with poignant insights and anecdotes.
Hope That Lasts
I give this book my highest recommendation to anyone looking for hope that lasts. And oh, how we need hope in these difficult days. If you have ever suffered from injustice, rejection or abuse, this book will help heal your wounds like nothing else has done before.
I received a free review copy of All Things New from the BookLook Blogger program. Thank you so much for this life-changing gift, friends at Thomas Nelson!
January 31, 2018
Appreciate most of all Eldridge using his platform to take on the topic and teach/remind us that our great hope is not away somewhere in "heaven," but here on a "renewed" earth as is so clearly laid out in Revelation 21 and further described in Isaiah 43 and 65 and again by Jesus in Matthew 19. Eldridge's book inspired me to imagine my current dreams if unrealized here on earth as potentially coming to pass during the "restoration of all things." This idea will serve as an anecdote or remedy to Paul's widely misunderstood "to die is gain"statement which has devastatingly caused so many (myself included) to diminish the importance of their time here on earth and even the earth itself.
I would like to have heard a little more about why he thinks such a fundamental tenet of the faith has been so long misunderstood or at least underemphasized. I would also like to have heard an opposing view as well as some implications and applications which he openly dodges at the end.
If you haven't heard the teaching, and don't want to start with a theologian like N.T. Wright on the topic, read on.
I would like to have heard a little more about why he thinks such a fundamental tenet of the faith has been so long misunderstood or at least underemphasized. I would also like to have heard an opposing view as well as some implications and applications which he openly dodges at the end.
If you haven't heard the teaching, and don't want to start with a theologian like N.T. Wright on the topic, read on.
January 15, 2023
In this book, popular author John Eldridge seeks to encourage Christians of the glorious renewal that will take place at the Parousia when Christ returns. It was a good reminder that for the believer whatever hardships, losses, or unfulfilled bucket lists are temporary and God has much better things waiting for us in the future.
I'm only giving it 3 stars because I found the book repetitive and I thought Eldridge took some liberties when declaring some of the things that await us. The scriptures don't give us a ton of details of what to expect so I had a hard time when he said to write down the first three things you want to do when you get to heaven/the new earth. It's good to dream but I'm not sure we can be so specific.
I'm only giving it 3 stars because I found the book repetitive and I thought Eldridge took some liberties when declaring some of the things that await us. The scriptures don't give us a ton of details of what to expect so I had a hard time when he said to write down the first three things you want to do when you get to heaven/the new earth. It's good to dream but I'm not sure we can be so specific.
February 3, 2018
Don’t read this book until you’re ready for the orientation of your life to be transformed. This book is this dangerously wonderful. The only reason to deduct 2 stars is that the middle of the book drags; John is an artist, at heart, I believe, not a writer. As a creative, he’s unable to bring readers who aren’t as romantic thru the middle chapter. But the end and beginning of this book are worth the whole thing.
March 23, 2022
Truly life-changing!!!
February 1, 2023
This book was given to me by a friend following the death of my mother. I read it slowly, savoring the content, allowing my imagination to engage in what I was reading.
Having grown up in the church, I always learned about heaven. However, I never remember there being many teachings about the restoration of all things and this concept of the new earth. When my mom passed away after a short battle with cancer, I became interested in deepening my understanding of what Scripture says about eternity, and I’m grateful that this was my first book on the topic.
I loved the way John Eldredge wrote in an almost romantic manner as he described the restoration of all things. I felt that his sense of wonder rubbed off on me and encouraged me to dream about life beyond death in a new way. I often found myself teary-eyed because of the hope that was communicated so beautifully through these pages.
Although I really enjoyed this book and will come back to it again, I will say that Eldredge frequently quotes other literature such as Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia. I am familiar with these books to an extent and knew a little bit about John Eldredge prior to picking this up, so I wasn’t bothered by it. However, some may not like the frequency of his reference of other works of literature.
Overall, I would recommend this book for those that desire to explore what the Bible says about eternity. This book truly gave me a lot to think about!
Having grown up in the church, I always learned about heaven. However, I never remember there being many teachings about the restoration of all things and this concept of the new earth. When my mom passed away after a short battle with cancer, I became interested in deepening my understanding of what Scripture says about eternity, and I’m grateful that this was my first book on the topic.
I loved the way John Eldredge wrote in an almost romantic manner as he described the restoration of all things. I felt that his sense of wonder rubbed off on me and encouraged me to dream about life beyond death in a new way. I often found myself teary-eyed because of the hope that was communicated so beautifully through these pages.
Although I really enjoyed this book and will come back to it again, I will say that Eldredge frequently quotes other literature such as Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia. I am familiar with these books to an extent and knew a little bit about John Eldredge prior to picking this up, so I wasn’t bothered by it. However, some may not like the frequency of his reference of other works of literature.
Overall, I would recommend this book for those that desire to explore what the Bible says about eternity. This book truly gave me a lot to think about!
July 19, 2018
I have read and studied many things about heaven and eternity, but this was a totally new concept for me. It gave me much hope about my future. The author is excellent at explaining his viewpoint with illustrations and quotes, but I felt at times he quoted too many other authors (especially Tolkien). There are many things in this book that I might question. I have always thought or been taught that heaven is some ethereal place where you sit around and listen to harp music all the time ( not my idea of pleasure). I should just be happy about the idea of spending eternity with Jesus, but he makes the idea of the new earth even more exciting AND with Jesus! The concept that the earth will be restored and all the things we love will be here for us to enjoy made me look forward to eternity that much more. I must say that sometimes I think he forced his thinking by coming up with an explanation of something in the Bible that really didn't ring true. All of that said, I recommend this book to anyone who is searching for answers about eternity - or for those who haven't given it much thought. You will be surprised and enlightened.
May 4, 2024
I loved so much of this, yet took pause frequently feeling like many portions were theologically “off”. The author clearly loves and appreciates nature and gives God credit as the Creator of all. Yet, I felt like he would be more excited to explore a new restored earth than to be in the presence of God, or at least that is how it came across to me. I would have like to see more of the gospel message of Christ’s finished work on the cross for those readers who maybe think they can get to this restored paradise through their own merits. However this makes me think so much more about what eternity will be like; as God has left so much shrouded in mystery. I do think it glorifies Him to meditate on these incredible things we have to look forward to, because of His very great mercy.
August 2, 2018
My husband and I are big fans of John Eldredge. We will often choose one of his books to read aloud as part of our morning devotion. This was our recent selection.
Eldredge has a unique perspective about what the coming restoration of Heaven and Earth will be. Much of what he said resonated with me, while there were a few things I didn't quite agree with. When it all comes down to the end times, it is all prophecy; we'll know what will actually happen WHEN it happens.
I would recommend this to fans of his books.
Eldredge has a unique perspective about what the coming restoration of Heaven and Earth will be. Much of what he said resonated with me, while there were a few things I didn't quite agree with. When it all comes down to the end times, it is all prophecy; we'll know what will actually happen WHEN it happens.
I would recommend this to fans of his books.
January 17, 2023
“‘If you read history,’ wrote C.S. Lewis, ‘you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.’”
This book is one of the best books I’ve read thus far. This book taught me that the best tool I have available to myself in this broken world, is hope in the expected & guaranteed renewal of all things.
This book is one of the best books I’ve read thus far. This book taught me that the best tool I have available to myself in this broken world, is hope in the expected & guaranteed renewal of all things.
November 1, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up
I deeply enjoyed this book as was challenged by it!
Though I don’t necessarily agree with 100% of his eschatology, the main message that the renewal of ALL things ought to be our main focus in life is so important to me and really challenged me to evaluate where I find my hope.
If you already love what I consider to be some classic stories like the Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings, you’ll love his mentions of these stories as examples and excerpts.
I deeply enjoyed this book as was challenged by it!
Though I don’t necessarily agree with 100% of his eschatology, the main message that the renewal of ALL things ought to be our main focus in life is so important to me and really challenged me to evaluate where I find my hope.
If you already love what I consider to be some classic stories like the Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings, you’ll love his mentions of these stories as examples and excerpts.
August 9, 2019
Just finished reading John Eldredge’s “All Things New: Heaven, Earth, and the Restoration of Everything You Love.” If you’re low on hope, feel confused and depressed about eternity, sad about what you might be losing, then read this book. It’ll lift your spirits, get you excited about seeing the Lord and what He has prepared for you and help you live this life in preparation for it.
May 10, 2021
The overall thesis of this book, of the New Earth/Heaven coming down to Earth/restoration of everything, is great and definitely worth reading about. But I felt like this book is very surface level and every page was saying the same thing over and over. The pages were repetitive, so I didn’t get much from the book other than the overall thesis.
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