Q&A Series: Is There Marriage in Heaven? (Dru Johnson)
Jul 22, 2022
auto_awesome
Biblical scholar Dru Johnson discusses the concept of marriage in heaven from a biblical perspective. He explores Jesus' response to the Sadducees, emphasizing the broader point about resurrection. Johnson delves into the metaphor of 'marrying and giving in marriage' in Luke's gospel, highlighting the significance of understanding theological topics in their historical context.
Marriage in the new creation is not the focus of Jesus' teachings, but understanding the significance of the resurrection.
Jesus' references to activities like marrying and giving in marriage symbolize deeper meanings rather than literal statements.
Deep dives
Interpreting Jesus' Teachings on Marriage in the New Creation
In discussing the question of marriage in the new creation, the podcast delves into Jesus' teachings in Luke's Gospel, particularly the passage where Jesus addresses the Sadducees' question about marriage in the resurrection. The podcast highlights that Jesus' dialogue with the Sadducees uses metaphors and coded language to convey deeper meanings, suggesting that the focus is on interpreting the present time and understanding the significance of the resurrection rather than giving a direct commentary on the institution of marriage in the new heavens and new earth.
Analogies to Days of Noah and Sodom in Understanding Marriage
The podcast draws parallels between Jesus' references to Noah and Sodom in Luke's Gospel and his discussion on marriage. By examining the behaviors associated with those periods, such as eating, drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage, the podcast suggests that these activities serve as symbolic representations rather than literal statements on the nature of marriage in the afterlife, emphasizing the need for deeper interpretation of Jesus' teachings.
Significance of Context and Interpretation in Biblical Analysis
Furthermore, the podcast underscores the importance of context and interpretation in analyzing biblical passages, citing examples from Luke's Gospel to illustrate the nuanced approach required to understand Jesus' teachings. By exploring the rhetorical devices and symbolic language used in the text, the podcast encourages listeners to consider the underlying messages and themes conveyed in Jesus' interactions with various groups, shedding light on the complexities of biblical interpretation.
From Genesis, marriage looks like it is one of the most important parts of creation. So, does Jesus really say in Luke 20 that there will be no "marrying and giving in marriage" in the new heavens and earth? In the first episode of The Biblical Mind Q&A series, Dru Johnson examines the phrase "marrying and giving in marriage" across Scripture—and what Jesus really meant by it.
In Luke 20, the Sadducees approach Jesus and ask about a woman who had multiple husbands. Jesus' response might seem to suggest that no one is married in the age of resurrection. Dru argues that Luke has in mind a broader, more subtle point about the resurrection and the end of the world.
Dru Johnson is the Director for the Center of Hebraic Thought, the host of The Biblical Mind Podcast, and an Associate Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at The King's College. He is also the author of the recent book Biblical Philosophy: A Hebraic Approach to the Old and New Testaments.
Show notes:
0:00 Introduction—is there marriage in heaven?
2:43 Marriage as part of the structure of creation
4:10 Examining Luke 20
10:14 The purpose of Luke's gospel
14:35 Luke 17: "Marrying and giving in marriage"
21:21 Why Jesus isn't actually talking about marriage