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The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis is a theological dream vision about a bus ride from Hell (the Grey Town) to the outskirts of Heaven (the Valley of the Shadow of Life).In Lewis's vision, Hell is not a pit of fire, but a vast, dreary, drizzling city where it is always twilight. It expands infinitely because residents cannot stand each other and keep moving further apart. Heaven, by contrast, is a solid, radiant country where the grass and rain are so intensely real they are hard and sharp to the touch of the insubstantial "Ghosts" visiting from the town.The core conflict of the book rests on the choice to stay. The Ghosts are met by "Bright Spirits"—redeemed souls they knew on Earth—who urge them to repent and journey into the mountains toward the sunrise. To stay in Heaven, the Ghosts must give up the specific sins, grumbles, or false beliefs they cling to.Lewis argues that Hell is entirely voluntary and that its gates are locked from the inside. The damnable choice is always putting one's own desires, pride, or self-pity above reality and God. As Lewis famously writes:"There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says in the end, 'Thy will be done.'"How It Helps Us Think About ScriptureAlthough the book is a work of fiction and Lewis explicitly states it is not a literal map of the afterlife, it serves as a powerful framework for biblical reflection.It mirrors biblical warnings about the isolating, diminishing nature of sin, visualizing what happens when God gives people over to their own stubborn desires. The immense density and hardness of Heaven's landscape reminds us that spiritual reality is not ghost-like or foggy; it is far more substantial, heavy, and real than our current physical world.Finally, Lewis's imagery of transformation—most famously illustrated by a ghost allowing an angel to kill a lustful lizard on his shoulder, which then transforms into a magnificent stallion—shows that what we sacrifice to God is not destroyed, but redeemed and perfected.Biblical Foundations for ReflectionTo deepen your study, here are three scripture passages that directly parallel the core themes of The Great Divorce:Heaven and the Weight of Glory2 Corinthians 4:17"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs them all."Radical Pruning for RedemptionMatthew 5:29-30"If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."Public Domain Status & AvailabilityBecause copyright laws vary significantly by country, the book's public domain status depends entirely on where you live. C. S. Lewis died in 1963, meaning the text is in the public domain in Canada (under their previous Life + 50 years term), but remains under copyright in the United States (until 2041) and the UK/European Union (until 2034).If you reside in Canada or a country with matching copyright terms, you can legally access the digital text via Faded Page / Distributed Proofreaders Canada. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonamccallum.substack.com/subscribe

Colossians 2:13-15 (NIV) “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Ephesians 1:20-22 (NIV) “[God] exerted [his power] in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church.” 1 Peter 3:21-22 (NIV) “It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.” Hebrews 2:14-15 (NIV) “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” 1 John 3:8 (NIV) “The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” Ephesians 6:11-12 (NIV) “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonamccallum.substack.com/subscribe

A short video about Faith, Christianity and Genesis This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonamccallum.substack.com/subscribe

“Son,’he said,’ ye cannot in your present state understand eternity...That is what mortals misunderstand. They say of some temporal suffering, “No future bliss can make up for it,” not knowing that Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into a glory. And of some sinful pleasure they say “Let me have but this and I’ll take the consequences”: little dreaming how damnation will spread back and back into their past and contaminate the pleasure of the sin. Both processes begin even before death. The good man’s past begins to change so that his forgiven sins and remembered sorrows take on the quality of Heaven: the bad man’s past already conforms to his badness and is filled only with dreariness. And that is why...the Blessed will say “We have never lived anywhere except in Heaven, : and the Lost, “We were always in Hell.” And both will speak truly.” ―C.S. Lewis,The Great Divorce A few of the verses we discussed, organized by category… The New Heavens and New Earth * Isaiah 65:17 – “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” * Isaiah 66:22 – “As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure.” * 2 Peter 3:13 – “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” * Revelation 21:1 – “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.” * Revelation 21:3-5 – “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” The Reality of Heaven * John 14:2-3 – “In my Father’s house are many rooms... I am going there to prepare a place for you.” * Hebrews 11:10 – “For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” * Matthew 6:10 – “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” * Psalm 16:11 – “You fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” * Revelation 22:3 – “No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.” Citizenship in Heaven * Philippians 3:20 – “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” * 1 Peter 2:11 – “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.” * 2 Corinthians 5:20 – “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” * Colossians 3:1-2 – “Set your hearts on things above... Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” * Ephesians 2:19 – “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” * Luke 10:20 – “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” * 1 Peter 1:4 – “...and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.” The Glorified Body * 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 – “The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.” * 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 – “We will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye... For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.” * Philippians 3:21 – “[He] will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” * 1 John 3:2 – “But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” * 2 Corinthians 5:1 – “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonamccallum.substack.com/subscribe

The promise of a New Heaven and a New Earth from Isaiah 65:17 and many others mentioned in the video cause not a perspective of worry, nor fear when pondering the return of Jesus. Instead, we look forward to His coming with joy.Titus 2:13: "While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."1 John 4:17: "This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment."Matthew 25:21: "Well done, good and faithful servant!"The vision of a New Earth is our motivation to live faithfully now, knowing our King is coming to make all things new. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonamccallum.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you for watching on Substack and if you do have a moment could you comment a perspective that is different from my own over on my Youtube: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonamccallum.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonamccallum.substack.com/subscribe

Book of James and GodReal faith isn't found in the noise of an argument. I’ve realized that some hold a conviction so deep they no longer feel the need to defend it. To them, the wisdom of God isn't a weapon for debate; it's a quiet anchor. They don't see themselves as "worthy" of the back-and-forth because they understand that truth doesn't require a loud voice to be true.The Deception of the Unbridled TongueReligious labels mean nothing if the tongue isn't mastered. I see it constantly: people claiming high spirituality while unleashing chaos with their words. Scripture is clear—if you don't keep a tight rein on what you say, you are merely deceiving yourself. Without self-control, your religion is effectively worthless. It becomes a performance rather than a transformation.The World’s Kingdom vs. The Real KingdomThere is a stark contrast between those seeking the Kingdom of God and those building their own. The "famously wonderful" in the world's eyes are often those most obsessed with:Power: The need to control.Wealth: The need to possess.The need to be remembered by people.When we focus on gaining the world, we lose the very essence of the faith we claim to hold. True influence isn't found in being seen by the world, but in being known by God.From the book of James in the Bible. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonamccallum.substack.com/subscribe

Social Pressure, Religious Hurt and Jesus #christianity #christmasNow there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.John Testifies Again About JesusAfter this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. (This was before John was put in prison.)An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life... This text is from the Gospel of John 3 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonamccallum.substack.com/subscribe

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When you place your life in Jesus—trusting, having faith—you are made a new creation. The wonder of this (that i’d like to talk about today) is the freedom from condemnation and judgment: John 5 - “…whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (ESV) You are free, justified, and made whole. While this does not mean you will never sin, there is nothing to fear concerning your Savior’s return, for He has washed away all your wrongdoing. The Longing for Renewal Despite our new life in Christ, we still feel a deep yearning for the world to be set right. As the Apostle Paul speaks about (see verses below), our soul, heart, and mind are longing for that new creation—the final renewing of all things. We desire justice because we know that Jesus is good, He is with us, and He makes all things right. The Return of the King Jesus is the King and the Lord. He will return to judge the nations, but the timing remains a mystery—no one knows the time it will happen, only the Father, as is clear from Scripture. New Creation (Apostle Paul’s Perspective) * Romans 8:19, 22-23: For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God... For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves... groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. * 2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. Romans 8 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies 2 Corinthians 5 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we will not be found naked... For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonamccallum.substack.com/subscribe

On Heaven as True Reality "I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now... The reason why we loved the old Narnia is that it sometimes looked a little like this." — The Last Battle "All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before." — The Last Battle "The dream is ended: this is the morning." — The Last Battle "To enter heaven is to become more human than you ever succeeded in being on earth; to enter hell, is to be banished from humanity." — The Problem of Pain On Hell as a Chosen State "There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.' All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell." — The Great Divorce "The doors of hell are locked on the inside." — The Problem of Pain "I think earth, if chosen instead of Heaven, will turn out to have been, all along, only a region in Hell: and earth, if put second to Heaven, to have been from the beginning a part of Heaven itself." — The Great Divorce This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonamccallum.substack.com/subscribe

It is not the quantity of her offering that impressed Jesus. The magnitude of her giving to God beyond reasonable understanding showed the state of her heart and the faith and love she held inside. In the temple, Jesus watched as people gave their offerings… "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on." — Mark 12:41-44 & Luke 21:1-4 This same principle of prioritizing sincerity over outward appearance is woven into what Jesus said here: "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." — Matthew 17:20 Jesus showed also how faith is so precious and valued from the interaction he has with a woman who had anointed his feet with perfume. "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." — Luke 7:50 The writer of Hebrews echoed this sentiment by defining faith as a deep, confident belief in what is not yet seen: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." — Hebrews 11:1 Jesus taught that obeying God and love are connected, an active commitment demonstrated through action. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." — Mark 12:30-31 He made it clear that following him is a direct result of this love. "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." — John 14:23 This is also a new commandment for his followers: "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." — John 13:34-35 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonamccallum.substack.com/subscribe

The Promise of New Life: Soul, Mind, and Body Transformed Jesus takes upon himself our brokenness and sin, offering not just forgiveness, but a radical transformation and a "new start." Our standing with God is based on His perfect sacrifice and boundless goodness, not our flawed efforts. Grace pours more meaning and value into our current, earthly lives (before the earth is made new after Christ judges the nations), making our interactions and choices profoundly significant. Salvation in Jesus is a journey of becoming a "new creation," a process that begins now and will be gloriously completed. We are promised a "new body" and will dwell with God in the "new heavens and new earth"—a holistic restoration of our soul, mind, and body, in perfect communion with our Creator. This truth is reflected in these scriptures: * Luke 12:4-7 (ESV): "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows." * Romans 6:23 (ESV): "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." * John 3:16 (ESV): "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." * 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (ESV): "So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body." * Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." * 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." * Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV): "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'" This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonamccallum.substack.com/subscribe