Christian Author Debunks Myth that Earthly Memories Won't Exist in Heaven

Milton Quintanilla | Contributor for ChristianHeadlines.com | Updated: Jun 10, 2020
Christian Author Debunks Myth that Earthly Memories Won't Exist in Heaven

Christian Author Debunks Myth that Earthly Memories Won't Exist in Heaven

Christian author Randy Alcorn is refuting the idea that people will have no recollection of their earthly life when they reach Heaven.

In a post titled "Let Go of Life About Heaven" on Desiring God’s website, Alcorn addressed eight myths people believe about the afterlife, The Christian Post reports.

Alcorn rejected the notion that people will not remember their former life upon reaching Heaven noting that that belief is more akin to Hinduism than Christianity.

“You will be you in heaven”: Alcorn wrote. “Who else would you be? Since we’ll give an account of our lives on earth, we must remain us, and our memories will have to be better, not worse.”

He also argued that “Scripture gives no indication of a memory wipe causing us not to recognize family and friends.”

“In fact,” he continued, “if we wouldn’t know our loved ones, the comfort of an afterlife reunion, taught in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18, would be no comfort at all.”

Alcorn also asserted that since Christ identified Himself to his disciples following his death and resurrection, he illustrated that memory will be present in Heaven.

“He proclaimed, ‘It is I myself’ (Luke 24:39). When Thomas said, ‘My Lord and my God,’ he knew he was speaking to the same Jesus he’d lived with for years,” Alcorn said.

Several other myths Alcorn debunks in his list include the ideas that we will spend heaven in the clouds, that heaven will be boring, that heaven is barely mentioned in the Bible, and that we can learn from people who had trips to heaven.

“We can worship God now by working, painting, playing, reading, writing, and enjoying every other innocent activity. How much more on a new earth where righteousness reigns?” wrote Alcorn.

“Let’s live upon heaven’s joys now, jettisoning unbiblical and unworthy views of heaven, and believing that the best truly is yet to come,” Alcorn concluded.

Alcorn’s book, Heaven was published in 2004 and has sold over a million copies.

Photo courtesy: ©Pixnio


Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for Christian Headlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.



Christian Author Debunks Myth that Earthly Memories Won't Exist in Heaven