By: Brian G. Chilton, Ph.D., M.Div. | July 7, 2023
Note: Please be advised that this article contains references to expletive material.
Recently, hit movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed in an interview with Danny DeVito that he thought the idea of heaven was nothing more than “some fantasy.”
[1] Schwarzenegger went on to say, “It reminds me of Howard Stern’s question to me … ‘Tell me, governor, what happens to us when we die?’ I said, ‘Nothing. You’re six feet under. Anyone that tells you something else is a f—king liar.”
[2]
With great remorse, the former governor of California reflected that “We don’t know what happens with the soul and all this spiritual stuff that I’m not an expert in, but I know that the body as we see each other now, we will never see each other again like that … I know people feel comfortable with death, but I don’t. Because I will f—king miss the s—t out of everything.”
[3] DeVito merely responded by saying, “Life! It’s the best!”
[4]
About Arnold Schwarzenegger
It is undeniable that Schwarzenegger is an accomplished individual. Arnold won numerous bodybuilding awards, and quite frankly was nearly unbeatable in his prime. He was the primary focus of the cult film Pumping Iron, which especially has a strong following in weightlifting and bodybuilding communities. Guys like Schwarzenegger were inspirational in getting me started with weightlifting in my teenage years.
Additionally, Schwarzenegger is a much-accomplished actor. In full disclosure, Arnold Schwarzenegger is my all-time favorite action hero. Schwarzenegger’s films such as The Terminator, Running Man, Commando, Total Recall, and Predator are among some of the best action movies in cinematic history, even by today’s standards.
So, with the aforementioned information, it is important to know that I have great respect for Schwarzenegger, even if I do not accept his theological moorings. But with that in mind, is Arnold right in his assessment? Is heaven simply a fantasy for those who cannot cope with the concept of death’s finality? Or do we have good reasons for believing in a literal place called heaven?
If you have followed my material, you already know my answer. Heaven is not a fantasy. Rather, it is an actual place where the saints of God live immediately after their deaths on earth. But do we have good reasons for believing so? I would argue that there are at least five reasons for believing that heaven exists.
Heaven is Not a Fantasy Because of the Resurrection of Jesus
First, if Jesus has risen from the dead, then we have solid evidence for the existence of heaven. Not only did Jesus defeat death and the grave, but he also ascended to the Father forty days after his resurrection. Additionally, Jesus promised the following—“Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also” (John 14:1b–3, CSB).
Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life
Additionally, Jesus assured Martha at Lazarus’s grave of a heavenly afterlife, saying, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26, CSB). If Jesus died, arose, and ascended to heaven; then we have excellent reasons for believing in what he says about heaven.
Reasons to Know Jesus Arose from the Dead
So, how do we know that Jesus arose from the dead? There is too much information to share to give a proper assessment.
But to give a brief recap, the resurrection of Jesus is confirmed by early eyewi...
