Will We Know Our Loved Ones in Heaven?
This question emerges from the deepest places of human longing and loss, touching anyone who has ever said goodbye to someone they cherish. In this profound episode of Enter the Bible, hosts Katie Langston and Kathryn Schifferdecker welcome back Rev. Dr. Mary Hinkle Shore, former Luther Seminary professor and current Aging Life Care Management specialist, to explore what Scripture reveals about eternal relationships. Through careful examination of Jesus’s resurrection appearances, Paul’s teachings in 1 Thessalonians 4, and the great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 11-12, the conversation navigates both the mystery and the hope that surrounds our understanding of heavenly relationships.
Rather than offering simplistic answers, this thoughtful discussion acknowledges the complexity of biblical texts while affirming the central Christian hope that love—not separation—defines eternity. The panel explores challenging questions about marriage in heaven, the nature of resurrected bodies, and what it means that “nothing good is ever lost” in God’s care. Drawing from pastoral experience alongside scholarly insight, this episode provides comfort and biblical grounding for anyone wrestling with questions about reunion with loved ones, offering hope rooted in Scripture’s promise that we will indeed recognize and be with those we love in the new heaven and new earth.
Original Question Submitted by a Listener Like You:
“Will we know our loved ones in the new world?”
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: Quarks, Chaos, and Christianity by John Polkinghorne (physicist and Anglican priest)
Bible References:
- 1 Corinthians 15 (Paul’s chapter on resurrection)
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (those who have died and Christ’s return)
- Hebrews 11-12 (faith heroes and the great cloud of witnesses)
- Gospel resurrection appearances (Mary in the garden, road to Emmaus, disciples fishing)
- Matthew 22/Mark 12/Luke 20 (Jesus on marriage in heaven – Sadducees’ question)
- Luke 23:43 (Jesus to the thief: “today you will be with me in paradise”)
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