Explores the many and complex reasons for the gradual erosion of the idea of heaven in the modern era. This work sheds light not only on the history of Christian thought, but on the process of secularization in the West. It also shows us the grubby soul of our materialistic and uncritically scientific society.

The Christian concept of heaven flourished for almost two millennia, but it has lost much of its power in the last hundred years. Indeed today even theologians tend to avoid the topic. But heaven has always been a central tenet of the Christian faith, writes Jeffrey Burton Russell. A brilliant refutation of the most common arguments against Heaven--and against religion itself.

As one would expect from a scholar with impeccable credentials in history and religious studies, Russell's analysis encompasses the key thinkers of each period in stylish and attractive narrative, summarizing what he sees as the signigicant views of each...Russell's writing stlye is clear and attractive.