This sounds like a really weird topic; anyways, it was something that I've been thinking about lately. Here goes.

So, for a novel to be good, it has to have a problem. Correct? No one wants to read a story about how Jonny-Joe eats granola every morning for breakfast. That's boring. But in heaven, there will be no sin...indirectly all problems stem from sin, which is a result of the Fall. So in heaven, since there is no sin, how will we have problems in our novels?

Now, technically, it would be possible to write about things that have happened on the earth in the past, (before heaven) but why would we, who would be with Jesus in heaven, want to read about our sinful past on the earth?

I've just got one more question: Even if we could write novels in heaven, would we? We'd be with Jesus in heaven...would we have any desire to read stories about humans? Actually, I think that poetry such as haikus, ballads, etc glorifying God will become hugely prevalent; since we'll be in heaven (and we are here on earth) to glorfy God.

So what do you guys think. Just some thoughts that came to me earlier today.

eruheran

I had a conversation similar to this once about theater, with my uncle and my dad. Ok, I didn't really participate in the conversation, but I happened to hear it. OK OK!!! Maybe I did eavesdrop, just a bit, but here's what was said:

We probably will write about past events on earth, in a worshipful way, we will write about Christ's death for us and similar events, not for each-other, but for Jesus. We may also write about other things relating to God's glory and how the end of sinful life came about for us. This would be for others, so they can see what God has done. Also our testimony, for others to see and compare how God worked in our lives so that we may give him glory.

As for fiction, I'm not sure. I didn't have any conversation to eavesdrop about this one but this is my take on it:

We might, as I said I'm not sure about this, (and neither about the what I wrote above for that matter)but I think that we possibly might write fictional accounts of things, if something didn't happen how we planned. I'm not sure if we will know the future in heaven, but I certainly know we won't be as smart as Christ, and he will continually change us to be more like him, and since he is infinite, we will never be like him. But, since fiction is based off of reality, we could write an example of how he may work in us in ways we don't understand.

I have ideas in my mind, but I have no way of expressing them. XD

Wow, that's actually a very interesting question... Hmmm....

I would say that if we were writing in Heaven, it would probably be about stories on Earth close to the stories in the Bible... and a prophet or Jesus or the future of the world.

Then again, I've never been, so I would not know for sure. Now I'll be thinking about that question for quite a while

It's really interesting that you asked, since this is something that I've thought a lot about!
I don't think that we'll have any desire to read or write about sinful things while we're in God's presence... we'll be way too busy glorifying Him and singing His praises.
Anyway, I like to think that heaven will be like at the end of the Chronicles of Narnia, where they can swim up waterfalls and see as far as they want to! If it's anything like that, I think we'll be to busy doing things instead of writing about them!

Well, let me put it this way:

Is there anything wrong with Christian Literature now? I mean, is it wrong for us to read it and write it?

No.

So, if it's fine now, it'll be fine then. Besides, just because we'll be beyond evil doesn't mean we won't remember it. God doesn't shield himself from viewing evil, either. Stories of redemption, overcoming evil, etc., having always been used to glorify God. Why should heaven be any different?

I personally feel like fantasy will be pretty prevalent. I believe our creative powers will be increased, and that our propensity for fantasy stories will also be increased.

God, after all, has written the greatest story ever. Why shouldn't we, who strive to be like Him, take the time to write our own tributes?

@Neil of Erk: But that's what's got me. I know that God doesn't shield himself from evil...yet when we're in heaven why will there be any reason to dwell on evil at all? I just can't think of one. I know shielding and isolating oneself from evil is wrong, but I've always thought that would refer to here on earth.

Of course, we will celebrate Jesus' sacrifice, which is all wrapped up with destroying evil, but other than that I don't see why we'd create things that have evil in them. Of course, if the evil is shown as evil, and causes us to worship God, then it is great (That's why we write fantasy on earth, right?)...

This is a confusing subject. Partly because none of us have ever been to heaven. (I think I can speak for everyone here)

eruheran

Okay, this takes some time to explain.

Why did God allow evil in the first place? Was not because, as Iluvatar says in the Silmarillion, that good will be greater because evil once existed? Because it conquered evil?

After all, our new, reformed selves will surely be superior to what Adam and Eve were before the fall. Because we have once experienced evil, we will now be able to see good for what it is, and understand God in ways we never could before!

But, if we were to no longer think about anything related to sin, wouldn't that mean we couldn't think about redemption? Remember that song, "I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory: to tell the old, old story, of Jesus and his love". The only way we could sing of Jesus saving us is if we thought on what He has saved us from!

Besides, it will be after we're freed from evil that we will face the last part of this journey: The Judgment Seat. All our sin, and all our virtue, will be called up to memory.

It's not that we won't be able to think of it anymore, or not want to recall it, but only that we'll be beyond it. We will look back, and see that it has it's grip on us no longer. And we'll sing about that, too.

Neil, thanks for clearing it up. I confused myself writing all of this...since I've been really uncertain about it all. Your post got me back thinking straight. And that's what I believed, too, I was just sort of questioning it.

eruheran

That's alright. If nobody questioned, then nobody would answer, and then where would we be?