Heaven [H]

The concept of heaven has been used as an incentive for moral behaviour in this world. Achieving the highest good here leads to reward or consummation of that good in the hereafter. This concept has been attacked by both secular and religious sources, the "modern" view even denying that morality has a basis in the eternal order of things. Others look on the other-worldliness of heaven as simply an escapist dream from the hard facts of "real" life. The complexity of motives inherent in any activity has led to questioning of a providential moral order at all.

Against this negative attitude must be balanced the survival of traditional beliefs in another world and their tying-in with revelations arising in dreams, in parapsychology, in self-transcendent experiences of ecstatics. All these indicate that individual human beings are not entirely "self-enclosed".

In Christian terms, discipline and asceticism in this life are not only valuable in their character-strengthening properties but also provide the basis for life in eternity. Heaven is thus the goal of ascetic practice. Denying gratification of the appetites, so long as this is balanced with reason and done with positive purpose, is part of the ascent to heaven. Loving sacrifice emulates the life of Christ and reflects the Holy Spirit's dwelling within. Heaven is then the mystical union and eternal bliss promised in the future when virtuous conduct now is both initiated and perfected by God.