Heaven and Hell - Not physical places - Pope JP2.?

Question

Pope John Paul 2 was an eminent scholar, theologian and philosopher. At a general audience on 21st July 1999 he clearly portrayed Heaven and Hell as states of mind rather than 'places'. What thoughts do you have on his teachings?
And please do not take this as an opportunity to vilify the office of Pope. But rather critique the man as a scholar and theologian.

Heaven "is neither an abstraction nor a physical place in the clouds, but a living, personal relationship with the Holy Trinity. It is our meeting with the Father which takes place in the risen Christ through the communion of the Holy Spirit"

Hell "is the ultimate consequence of sin itself... Rather than a place, hell indicates the state of those who freely and definitively separate themselves from God, the source of all life and joy".

Answer 1

This is standard Christian belief. Heaven and hell are spiritual places not physical places.

+ Heaven +

Heaven is eternal life with God; communion of life and love with the Trinity and all the blessed.

Heaven is the state of supreme and definitive happiness, the goal of the deepest longings of humanity.

+ Hell +

Hell is the state of complete and final self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed, reserved for those who refuse by their own free choice to believe and be converted from sin, even to the end of their lives

No one really knows what hell is like. It has been described by people who have not been there as everything from flames to a frozen lake (Dante).

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 1023 and following: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art12.htm#1023

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I don't think so. If the kingdom of heaven is truly within it is not a place at all but a state of being. To he who has I will give in abundance to he who has not I will take away even what he has.. indicates the state of not being in tune with the heavenly state..I think they are vibratory levels depending on how spiritually evolved spirits are, that we function in our astral body which feels just like the physical one though we don't need food and can move through space without taking any time and communicate telepathically. I don't believe there is any ;box we can put spirit in that can encase it nor happily ever after, I think we continue to create our own realities to function within and that the souls is responsible to create it's own realities. Hell was at one time considered to be at the center of the earth, the receiving place of the dead where Jesus was thought to go for three days before he arose. If you can get an old Bible like 1816 you will find a lot of definitions of words that you will not find in the newer ones. It does not seem though that they have changed it in any way, like the KJV since that time the words are the same but the meanings are explained.

Answer 3

John Paul II was a great Pope and will likely be canonized some day, perhaps soon. I am sure what you are stating is being taken out of context, and is not the true teachings of the Church or Church Doctrine. Heaven is indeed a physical place or as physical a place as we can comprehend with or limited knowledge of the world God created. Hell is indeed a place as well, and one we would all like to avoid. Thanks to the saving work of Jesus none need choose Hell!

Answer 4

Note, Pope JP2 also made statements that it is possible that Hell is not an eternal destination. Christian Universalism does not teach the existence of an eternal hell. Jesus' sacrifice is meant to save us from death and is for all. Here are some resources for anyone interested in Christian Universalism:

Online resources:

http://www.christianuniversalist.org/

http://www.christian-universalism.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universalism

All of the following links are for discussion forums that are Christian Universalist in orientation:

Emergent Universalism Discussion Forum

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/emerging-universalist/

Christian Universalism Discussion Forum

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/christian-universalism/

Apokatastasis Discussion Forum
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/apokatastasis/

The Church of Interfaith Christians Discussion Forum

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thechu...ithchristians/

Wider Universalist Fellowship Discussion Forum

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WiderUniversalist/

Fundie Universalist Discussion Forum

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fundieuniversalist/

Reconciliation Fellowship Discussion Forum

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/reconciliation-fellowship/

Answer 5

JP2 is a false teacher. Heaven and hell are real places. Just like the false teacher "father" (he isn't my father) Michael Manning, who teaches universalism, just as the catholic cult does, who contradict the Bible by saying salvation is by works.

Jesus said the eternal lake of fire is a real place of eternal torment and suffering, and I'll believe Jesus over your "pope" who isn't in the Bible anyway.

Answer 6

he must have the holy spirit in him,for it can only be a person that has risen above fear to make a statement like that.unlike the fearfull christians

Answer 7

Well I personally think someone that has had what is termed a near death experience would have far more knowledge of what lies await for us on the other side.

http://www.near-death.com/storm.html

Answer 8

well said