In this book Jeffrey Burton Russell explores the many and complex reasons for the gradual erosion of the idea of heaven in the modern era. Although the seeds of skepticism were planted in the Enlightenment, he shows, the real decline dates to the nineteenth century. This is a fascinating tale that sheds light not only on the history of Christian thought, but on the process of secularization in the West; Russell shows us the grubby soul of our materialistic and uncritically scientific society. Finally he argues that we can and should make room for paradise for the spiritual health of our culture and points the way towards metaphors of perfection and transcendence that resonate in our time.

A marvelous overview of the many philosophical, literary, social, and even religious forces that have challenged the concept of heaven.... Russell's elegant and richly textured survey of heaven offers a first-rate history of a much-debated subject. * Publishers Weekly *

Jeffrey Burton Russell is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is well known for a series of books on the history of Satan and evil, as well as A History of Heaven--a book that was favorably reviewed in media as diverse as Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Times Literary Supplement, and Christianity Today.