Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

C. S. Lewis is a great resource to explore Protestant views on the afterlife. While it is not a theological treatise, it offers a thought-provoking allegory about heaven, hell, and human choices.

Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

 

The book follows the narrator on a bus ride from a dreary, gray land resembling hell to a beautiful, vibrant land representing heaven. Throughout the journey, the narrator encounters various characters who represent different choices people make in life and how those choices affect their afterlife.

One of the key themes of the novel is the idea that hell is not a place of punishment inflicted by God, but rather a state of being that people create for themselves by clinging to their attachments and refusing to let go of selfishness and negativity.

The novel also explores the nature of relationships in heaven. Lewis suggests that in heaven, our love for others is purified and transformed. We are no longer capable of possessive or selfish love, but only love that seeks the good of the other person. This means that if someone we loved on earth chooses hell, we cannot force them to come to heaven. We can only accept their choice and continue to love them in a way that respects their freedom.

The Great Divorce is a challenging and thought-provoking book that has resonated with readers for many years. It is a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about Protestant views on the afterlife.