Hell and Heaven in Narrative Perspective

the modern mind has a bad habit of fragmenting and compartmentalizing beliefs, which is how we end up with doctrines rather than wisdom.
most of what is said about resurrection and going to heaven in the New Testament has to do with the vindication and reward of the suffering church in the context of the transformation of Israel’s status in relation to the nations – and indeed, in relation to empire.
That is not to say, however, that we should not be motivated by the prospect of being excluded from the renewal of creation on account of the things we have either done or not done.