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New Studies in Biblical Theology #44
Death and the Afterlife: Biblical Perspectives on Ultimate Questions (Volume 44)
Significant aspects of death and the afterlife continue to be debated among evangelical Christians. In this NSBT volume Paul Williamson surveys the perspectives of our contemporary culture and the biblical world, and then highlights the traditional understanding of the biblical teaching and the issues over which evangelicals have become increasingly polarized. Subsequent chapters explore the controversial what happens immediately after we die; bodily resurrection; a final, universal judgment; the ultimate fate of those who do not receive God's approval on the last day; and the biblical concept of an eschatological "heaven." Taking care to understand the ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman backgrounds, Williamson works through the most important Old and New Testament passages. He demonstrates that there is considerable exegetical support for the traditional evangelical understanding of death and the afterlife, and raises questions about the basis for the growing popularity of alternative understandings. Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead.
256 pages, Paperback
Published March 6, 2018
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133 people want to read
About the author
Paul R. Williamson
14 books2 followersPaul R. Williamson is lecturer in Old Testament, Hebrew and Aramaic at Moore College, Sydney. He is the author of Sealed with an Oath, a contributor to New Dictionary of Biblical Theology and Dictionary of the Old Testament, and coeditor of Exploring Exodus.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 3, 2019
Summary: A discussion of the biblical texts concerning death and what follows: the state of the dead post-mortem, the resurrection, judgement, hell, and heaven.
One of the most indisputable statistics is that one out of one die. While many other things differentiate us as human beings, the terminus of our lives is one thing we all have in common. Our responses to this vary, from denial to despair, to mute acceptance that when we die, that is all, to some hope for continued existence beyond the grave. What we believe about these things profoundly shapes how we live.
In this monograph, Paul S. Williamson explores these questions in light of contemporary and ancient thought, and biblical teaching. He writes at the outset, "My primary focus, however, is not the theological case that proponents of various views can mount but rather the prior question: What does the Bible say?" In his opening chapter, he summarizes various views, both ancient and modern, and some of the areas disputed even by evangelical interpreters.
Following this he explores first the biblical materials surrounding what happens to us at death. While acknowledging the limits of the evidence, he recognizes the possibility of some form of post-mortem existence, although this involves a radical separation from embodied life and is thus interim. The ultimate destiny is resurrection. He considers but dismisses the idea of the dead being outside time, and thus the resurrection "immediate." He traces the idea of resurrection and its development in later OT and intertestamental periods, to its full blossoming following the resurrection of Christ. His chapter on judgement particularly deals with tracing the idea of divine recompense for one's deeds and how this might be reconciled with salvation by grace alone. He contends that saving faith is trust in action through persistence in doing good, that reflects the transforming work of God in our lives.
Many will turn to the final two chapters on hell, and on heaven, and the contention that ultimately all will wind up in heaven. On hell, while he argues that the language of fire and darkness may well be metaphor, we cannot ignore the language of torment that is everlasting, dismissing the language arguments that deny this. He would argue that annihilation must be read into the text. On heaven, he would contend from scripture that this is the interim resting place of those who die in Christ, but that God's intention is for a new creation which the resurrected will inhabit. He responds to the arguments of "Gregory MacDonald" for a final universal salvation in which those in hell are brought to post-mortem repentance, showing that this case cannot be made from scripture.
The outcome of Williamson's study is to uphold the traditional teaching of the church and contend that this is rooted in scripture. There is evidence for an interim state between death and resurrection, for the final resurrection and judgement of all and for eternal conscious punishment in hell. Following some newer interpreters, he would argue that the ultimate destiny for new believers is eternal life with God in the new creation, where heaven "comes down" to a transformed and renewed earth.
No doubt, this is contrary to what interpreters like Rob Bell ("love wins") or "Gregory MacDonald" ("God wins") would contend. What Williamson makes the case for is that while such opinions may be popular, they are wanting in terms of biblical evidence. For those who really care about searching such things out, this book is a good, careful statement of the traditional understanding of what scripture affirms, cautious in acknowledging what is not known, and equally cautious in not speculating on what scripture does not say. It makes clear the hope of the resurrection, how we may hear God's "well done" in the judgment, and how one may enjoy eternal life in God's new creation as well as warning of what faces the unrepentant. As much as we struggle with the hard truth of the latter, this book poses the question of dare we go beyond what scripture has plainly affirmed?
One of the most indisputable statistics is that one out of one die. While many other things differentiate us as human beings, the terminus of our lives is one thing we all have in common. Our responses to this vary, from denial to despair, to mute acceptance that when we die, that is all, to some hope for continued existence beyond the grave. What we believe about these things profoundly shapes how we live.
In this monograph, Paul S. Williamson explores these questions in light of contemporary and ancient thought, and biblical teaching. He writes at the outset, "My primary focus, however, is not the theological case that proponents of various views can mount but rather the prior question: What does the Bible say?" In his opening chapter, he summarizes various views, both ancient and modern, and some of the areas disputed even by evangelical interpreters.
Following this he explores first the biblical materials surrounding what happens to us at death. While acknowledging the limits of the evidence, he recognizes the possibility of some form of post-mortem existence, although this involves a radical separation from embodied life and is thus interim. The ultimate destiny is resurrection. He considers but dismisses the idea of the dead being outside time, and thus the resurrection "immediate." He traces the idea of resurrection and its development in later OT and intertestamental periods, to its full blossoming following the resurrection of Christ. His chapter on judgement particularly deals with tracing the idea of divine recompense for one's deeds and how this might be reconciled with salvation by grace alone. He contends that saving faith is trust in action through persistence in doing good, that reflects the transforming work of God in our lives.
Many will turn to the final two chapters on hell, and on heaven, and the contention that ultimately all will wind up in heaven. On hell, while he argues that the language of fire and darkness may well be metaphor, we cannot ignore the language of torment that is everlasting, dismissing the language arguments that deny this. He would argue that annihilation must be read into the text. On heaven, he would contend from scripture that this is the interim resting place of those who die in Christ, but that God's intention is for a new creation which the resurrected will inhabit. He responds to the arguments of "Gregory MacDonald" for a final universal salvation in which those in hell are brought to post-mortem repentance, showing that this case cannot be made from scripture.
The outcome of Williamson's study is to uphold the traditional teaching of the church and contend that this is rooted in scripture. There is evidence for an interim state between death and resurrection, for the final resurrection and judgement of all and for eternal conscious punishment in hell. Following some newer interpreters, he would argue that the ultimate destiny for new believers is eternal life with God in the new creation, where heaven "comes down" to a transformed and renewed earth.
No doubt, this is contrary to what interpreters like Rob Bell ("love wins") or "Gregory MacDonald" ("God wins") would contend. What Williamson makes the case for is that while such opinions may be popular, they are wanting in terms of biblical evidence. For those who really care about searching such things out, this book is a good, careful statement of the traditional understanding of what scripture affirms, cautious in acknowledging what is not known, and equally cautious in not speculating on what scripture does not say. It makes clear the hope of the resurrection, how we may hear God's "well done" in the judgment, and how one may enjoy eternal life in God's new creation as well as warning of what faces the unrepentant. As much as we struggle with the hard truth of the latter, this book poses the question of dare we go beyond what scripture has plainly affirmed?
March 1, 2021
Williamson's book is an exegetical underpinning for a traditional evangelical understanding of personal eschatology. The good: this book does a great job of engaging enormously widely in double quick time. Each chapter is a helpful introduction to what could easily be a book length treatment. And it's pleasingly orthodox in most of its conclusions. The less good: it doesn't feel very deep. And I guess in the nature of the exercise (underpinning orthodox views), there's not much to learn here if you're already in agreement. That's probably good, but does reduce the value in reading it! More frustratingly, I think he's definitely on the minimalistic end re: the Old Testament. I'd also question whether he's quite managed to get to the bottom of the new testament material on judgment according to works: not sure the tendency to write off the old testament as non-eschatological really helps here.
Coverage broad enough that I may well use it in upcoming Revelation module, though.
Coverage broad enough that I may well use it in upcoming Revelation module, though.
April 26, 2018
This new entry in the New Studies in Biblical Theology (NSBT) series on death and what follows by Paul R. Williamson is a sane voice on one of the more explosive theological issues of our day. It lives up to the standards set by previous volumes in this series edited by D. A. Carson. It’s obvious that the author expended the necessary energy to make this volume a meaningful contribution. In fact, I suspect for most of us this will be the first book we will reach for what we are considering “biblical perspectives on ultimate questions”.
The first chapter surveys the issue both in the present with all the requisite statistics and ancient viewpoints of various peoples in the ANE. The chapter concludes with the viewpoint of Christianity and on page 22 formulates five key concepts on what he calls “the personal eschatology of Scripture”. While we Christians might debate certain elements of those five key concepts, there’s no doubt he has set the parameters of this issue correctly.
The next chapter discusses death itself. That requires a deep look into biblical anthropology as well as defining the soul. You will start seeing in this chapter what you will enjoy throughout the whole book: he masterfully marshals the appropriate Scriptures, exegetes them carefully, and draws out appropriate theology. He dodges nothing. Even tough subjects like Saul consulting a witch to bring up Samuel is analyzed. Chapter 3 looks into the resurrection. As that doctrine is key to Christianity itself, he is thorough in looking at it from every vantage point.
Chapter 4 considers judgment. It was in this chapter that I had some disagreement with him because I hold to a pre-millennial viewpoint of prophecy. At times I thought the pre-millennial system would easily remove a few jams he became entangled in with Scripture exegesis. Still, I appreciated the spirit with which he would often mention how premillennialists would look at the situation, and how he was gracious when he disagreed.
Chapter 5 looks at the widely debated subject of Hell. He did a great job discussing the debate as it stands today, what had been believed in the past, and how to think about the issue today. While I might take a few things mentioned in Scripture more literally than he does, he doesn’t dodge that the Bible says a great deal about that unpleasant subject. The final chapter looks at Heaven. Heaven has been recast in modern days as this wonderful place that everyone is going to, so he takes this past our self-produced fictions of heaven to see what the Bible actually has to say. Again, he helps us look at all the appropriate Scriptures.
This book is at once helpful and important. It’s the perfect book to get your bearings straight on a theological subject that usually has more heat than light applied to it.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
The first chapter surveys the issue both in the present with all the requisite statistics and ancient viewpoints of various peoples in the ANE. The chapter concludes with the viewpoint of Christianity and on page 22 formulates five key concepts on what he calls “the personal eschatology of Scripture”. While we Christians might debate certain elements of those five key concepts, there’s no doubt he has set the parameters of this issue correctly.
The next chapter discusses death itself. That requires a deep look into biblical anthropology as well as defining the soul. You will start seeing in this chapter what you will enjoy throughout the whole book: he masterfully marshals the appropriate Scriptures, exegetes them carefully, and draws out appropriate theology. He dodges nothing. Even tough subjects like Saul consulting a witch to bring up Samuel is analyzed. Chapter 3 looks into the resurrection. As that doctrine is key to Christianity itself, he is thorough in looking at it from every vantage point.
Chapter 4 considers judgment. It was in this chapter that I had some disagreement with him because I hold to a pre-millennial viewpoint of prophecy. At times I thought the pre-millennial system would easily remove a few jams he became entangled in with Scripture exegesis. Still, I appreciated the spirit with which he would often mention how premillennialists would look at the situation, and how he was gracious when he disagreed.
Chapter 5 looks at the widely debated subject of Hell. He did a great job discussing the debate as it stands today, what had been believed in the past, and how to think about the issue today. While I might take a few things mentioned in Scripture more literally than he does, he doesn’t dodge that the Bible says a great deal about that unpleasant subject. The final chapter looks at Heaven. Heaven has been recast in modern days as this wonderful place that everyone is going to, so he takes this past our self-produced fictions of heaven to see what the Bible actually has to say. Again, he helps us look at all the appropriate Scriptures.
This book is at once helpful and important. It’s the perfect book to get your bearings straight on a theological subject that usually has more heat than light applied to it.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
November 19, 2021
In this NSBT entry, Paul Williamson explores various questions of personal eschatology (death, the intermediate state, resurrection, judgement, hell, heaven) from a biblical-theological perspective. His investigations lead him to the "traditional" evangelical understandings of a conscious intermediate state, a general resurrection on the last day, a universal judgement according to works, eternal conscious punishment in hell, and eternal life with God in the New Creation. Along the way, he raises various newer evangelical perspectives and outlines how they fail to do justice to the biblical testimony.
As a short overview of biblical eschatology, this is a helpful volume, and it's good to have on the shelf. There are a few things that made it less useful than it might have been. I feel he gave too much space to the material on intertestamental literature; that space could have been better served by adding depth to the OT and NT discussions. I also think he understates the presence of eschatological perspectives in the OT. And he refers to a lot of alternative views, without always providing citations. There are quite a few vague "some Christians say" moments.
So, not as useful as many of the other NSBT volumes, but still worth a look, especially as a biblical defence of evangelical orthodoxy.
As a short overview of biblical eschatology, this is a helpful volume, and it's good to have on the shelf. There are a few things that made it less useful than it might have been. I feel he gave too much space to the material on intertestamental literature; that space could have been better served by adding depth to the OT and NT discussions. I also think he understates the presence of eschatological perspectives in the OT. And he refers to a lot of alternative views, without always providing citations. There are quite a few vague "some Christians say" moments.
So, not as useful as many of the other NSBT volumes, but still worth a look, especially as a biblical defence of evangelical orthodoxy.
June 6, 2018
Written from a Biblical theology perspective, Mr. Williamson takes us on a journey through the Old and New Testaments as well as intertestamental Jewish literature to explore questions surrounding death and the afterlife. Throughout church history, the church has maintained five basic propositions about personal eschatology:
1) An interim state between death and resurrection
2) The bodily resurrection of all dead people when Jesus returns
3) The final judgment of all people based on their earthly lives
4) Eternal conscious punishment in hell for the unrighteous
5) Eternal life with God for those who believe in Jesus
Currently, the evangelical community is questioning some of these beliefs, so Mr. Williamson set out to discover what the Bible reveals about these propositions. Sifting through the Bible, intertestamental texts, as well as more modern theological writings, Mr. Williamson posits that the historical church beliefs really are what the Bible points toward.
Writing in a clear concise manner, Mr. Williamson fairly and accurately interprets passages and examines the whole of Scripture - even those passages which seem to contradict the propositions. In this way, we are shown what God has revealed about the destinations of all people after death.
1) An interim state between death and resurrection
2) The bodily resurrection of all dead people when Jesus returns
3) The final judgment of all people based on their earthly lives
4) Eternal conscious punishment in hell for the unrighteous
5) Eternal life with God for those who believe in Jesus
Currently, the evangelical community is questioning some of these beliefs, so Mr. Williamson set out to discover what the Bible reveals about these propositions. Sifting through the Bible, intertestamental texts, as well as more modern theological writings, Mr. Williamson posits that the historical church beliefs really are what the Bible points toward.
Writing in a clear concise manner, Mr. Williamson fairly and accurately interprets passages and examines the whole of Scripture - even those passages which seem to contradict the propositions. In this way, we are shown what God has revealed about the destinations of all people after death.
April 17, 2021
This is a great book on personal eschatology or what happens to an individual after passing the gate of death/life (Whichever term your prefer)
He recognizes and deals with the following key ideas which have traditionally been understood by Christians in general, and by evangelicals in particular:
1. A disembodied existence in an interim state between an individual’s death and his/her future resurrection.
2. The bodily resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked at the time of the parousia (the second coming of the Lord Jesus).
3. A final judgment of both the living and the dead (every human being who has ever lived), according to what they have done during their earthly lives.
4. The never-ending punishment of conscious torment in hell for who are condemned at the last judgment.
5. The everlasting reward of an immortal life with God for those who have been sanctified and perfected through faith in Jesus.
After introducing these beliefs in view of Ancient Near East, Graeco-Roman world, he traces the question in separate chapters through OT, Intertestamentai and NT.
He recognizes and deals with the following key ideas which have traditionally been understood by Christians in general, and by evangelicals in particular:
1. A disembodied existence in an interim state between an individual’s death and his/her future resurrection.
2. The bodily resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked at the time of the parousia (the second coming of the Lord Jesus).
3. A final judgment of both the living and the dead (every human being who has ever lived), according to what they have done during their earthly lives.
4. The never-ending punishment of conscious torment in hell for who are condemned at the last judgment.
5. The everlasting reward of an immortal life with God for those who have been sanctified and perfected through faith in Jesus.
After introducing these beliefs in view of Ancient Near East, Graeco-Roman world, he traces the question in separate chapters through OT, Intertestamentai and NT.
March 28, 2018
Note: I only read the 30 pages section on "Resurrection."
Generally, the NSBT series excites me, but I was disappointed with this. He spent 1/3 of the section doing historical theology (rather than biblical theology), and at times made comments that seemed to suggest that the Scriptural testimony is not a unified and consistent whole. I am assuming that as an a lecturer and Moore College in Sydney his was not his intention. Just came off a bit wishy-washy to me is all. When he finally got to dealing with the biblical data on the issue, it came off as fairly over-view-ish, and lacking in excitement about the resurrection (come on! one of the most exciting doctrines in Scripture!!). Not bad, a little bit useful, but if the rest of the topics in the book are handled similarly, I would be looking for better books.
Generally, the NSBT series excites me, but I was disappointed with this. He spent 1/3 of the section doing historical theology (rather than biblical theology), and at times made comments that seemed to suggest that the Scriptural testimony is not a unified and consistent whole. I am assuming that as an a lecturer and Moore College in Sydney his was not his intention. Just came off a bit wishy-washy to me is all. When he finally got to dealing with the biblical data on the issue, it came off as fairly over-view-ish, and lacking in excitement about the resurrection (come on! one of the most exciting doctrines in Scripture!!). Not bad, a little bit useful, but if the rest of the topics in the book are handled similarly, I would be looking for better books.
February 23, 2021
I suppose it is not realy done to read a book on death and really enjoy it. Well I did this one. I reeally like the way teh author considers different views on death from ancient near east cultures then exams the different perspectives from both teh Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible. I was reminded of what Augustine said: "The Old Testament is the New Concealed and the New Testament is the Old Revealed. Psalms, particularly, indicate many of the views that are more fully developed in the New Testament. It is clear to see why the judgement of the wicked was such an important doctrine, not just in this life but in the life to come. Also the vindication and reward of the righteous becomes a much more sensible Lots to think about and reflect upon.
March 21, 2021
(NOTE: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book or a B. 3 stars means a very good book or a B+. 4 stars means an outstanding book or an A {only about 5% of the books I read merit 4 stars}. 5 stars means an all time favorite or an A+ {Only one of 400 or 500 books rates this!).
The great news is that I can listen to a book a day at work. The bad news is that I can’t keep up with decent reviews. So I’m going to give up for now and just rate them. I hope to come back to some of the most significant things I listen to and read them and then post a review.
The great news is that I can listen to a book a day at work. The bad news is that I can’t keep up with decent reviews. So I’m going to give up for now and just rate them. I hope to come back to some of the most significant things I listen to and read them and then post a review.
October 23, 2018
A concise yet stimulating treatment of personal eschatology from a biblical perspective. Williams surveys ancient perspectives (ANE, OT, second-temple Judaism, NT) and contemporary discussions of six key areas, including the afterlife, death, resurrection, judgment, heaven, and hell. Recommended for anyone who desires a brief introduction to these topics or a primer on contemporary evangelical understandings of these eschatological doctrines.
May 3, 2022
Throughout the book, the author has surveyed the main schools of thought on several key issues, such as "what kinds of afterlife would the lost be experiencing". Extensive biblical data is presented. His own perspective is also stated quite nicely. , his arguments are reasonably clear, although not always convincing. Overall it's good.
July 11, 2021
Challenges the recent ideas about heaven,hell and the afterlife. Defending the traditional view. Well needed refutation..
January 16, 2024
Tough read
February 3, 2025
Well-written biblical theological discussion of death, resurrection, judgment, hell, and heaven. Williamson's approach is measured, seeking to avoid saying more than Scripture allows.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews