Resurrection

Is That Thief In Heaven?

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Most of us are familiar with this passage in Luke about the others crucified with Jesus:

Luke 23:40–43 (KJV)
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Many use this as a proof text that believers go immediately to heaven—or somewhere—when they die.

But is that really what this passage is about? Or is there something else going on here?

Let’s start by asking what should be some obvious questions if we are to assume the traditional theological narrative about Luke 23:40–43.

Is saying a few words, sticking up for Jesus, and asking to be remembered by him all that is required for thieves and malefactors to get into “heaven”?

Is being in “paradise” the same thing as “going to heaven”?

Did Jesus come into his kingdom on the day of the crucifixion?

Did the malefactor go immediately to “heaven” with Jesus after they died?

Did the malefactor miss Jesus for the 40 days or so that Jesus was carrying out his post‑resurrection ministry on earth?

Is the malefactor in heaven right now with Jesus?

What was the point of Jesus being raised from the dead after three days if he and the malefactor crucified with him were already alive together in paradise or heaven on the very same day they died on crosses?

We should all be asking questions like this, and many of the other things we’ve been taught from religion and churchianity, to see if they make sense and if they are actually biblical.

Stay tuned as we start examining the questions raised here in detail.

The Twelfth Imam Is A Counterfeit Jesus Christ

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Shia Islam has a doctrine known as Twelver Shi‘ism.

According to this doctrine, the Twelfth Imam entered ghaybah (occultation) — a state of divine concealment — in the 9th century. He is considered to be still alive and will one day return as the Mahdi, a messianic figure who will establish global justice.

There is only one man who has died and been resurrected to live forevermore — Jesus Christ.

There is only one man who will one day return as King of kings and Lord of lords to “establish global justice” — Jesus Christ.

Those making similar claims about any other person who has ever lived are dealing in counterfeit spiritual currency.

Is The Rapture Necessary?

Rick Tryon2 Comments

On Monday I posed a simple question: What is the point and purpose of the resurrection of Jesus Christ if believers go immediately to heaven when they die?

Now let’s ask a similar question which also deserves a logical, biblical answer: What is the purpose of the so-called “Rapture” if believers who have died are already in heaven shouting, “Hallelujah!”, flying around playing harps, and dancing on streets of gold with previously deceased loved ones?

If your answer is that the soul has to be reunited with the physical body, then I would love to see the plain, definitive scriptural basis for that theory. Plain and definitive proof texts, not theological and logical contortions invented to make the Bible say what you want it to say.

I’ll wait.

Was The Resurrection Unnecessary?

Rick TryonLeave a comment

So, here’s a question that deserves serious consideration and a logical, biblical answer: What is the point and purpose of the resurrection of Jesus Christ if believers go immediately to heaven when they die?

Why would “He is risen!” hold any special meaning if the faithful are already dancing and singing, alive and well in heaven from the moment of their own death?

If the immortality of the soul is true, then there is no reason for God to raise Jesus from the dead, because death would hold no power or sting over us. Easter Sunday becomes meaningless if the resurrection isn’t a once‑in‑human‑history, glorious, miraculous event that announces to creation that death does not have the final say.

If all believers are immediately and individually transferred to heaven after they breathe their last breath, then Jesus being made alive again after three days isn’t just ho‑hum—it’s three days of being unnecessarily dead.

More to come in future blog posts here.