Between Heaven and Hell (novel)
Encyclopedia
Between Heaven and Hell: A Dialog Somewhere Beyond Death with John F. Kennedy, C. S. Lewis, & Aldous Huxley is a fiction novel by Peter Kreeft
about U.S. President John F. Kennedy
, and authors C. S. Lewis
(The Chronicles of Narnia
) and Aldous Huxley
(Brave New World
) meeting in Purgatory
and engaging in a philosophical discussion on faith. It was inspired by the odd coincidence that all three men died on the same day: November 22, 1963. We see from the three points of view: Kennedy's "humanist
" or "modern Christian" view, Lewis's "conservative Christian" or "mere Christian
" view, and Huxley's "Orientalized Christian" view. The book progresses as Lewis and Kennedy discuss Jesus
' being God incarnate
, to Lewis and Huxley discussing whether or not Jesus was a "deity
" or "just a good person."
apologists like Kreeft whereby all people in purgatory will naturally converse with each other so as to ascertain where they are and how they got there. The best way to think of it according to Kreeft is a large social gathering in which every participant has, almost invariably, exactly the same questions on his or her mind.
Peter Kreeft
Peter John Kreeft, Ph.D., is a professor of philosophy at Boston College and The King's College, and author of numerous books as well as a popular writer on philosophy, Christian theology, and specifically Catholic apologetics. He also formulated together with Ronald K. Tacelli, SJ, "Twenty...
about U.S. President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
, and authors C. S. Lewis
C. S. Lewis
Clive Staples Lewis , commonly referred to as C. S. Lewis and known to his friends and family as "Jack", was a novelist, academic, medievalist, literary critic, essayist, lay theologian and Christian apologist from Belfast, Ireland...
(The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels for children by C. S. Lewis. It is considered a classic of children's literature and is the author's best-known work, having sold over 100 million copies in 47 languages...
) and Aldous Huxley
Aldous Huxley
Aldous Leonard Huxley was an English writer and one of the most prominent members of the famous Huxley family. Best known for his novels including Brave New World and a wide-ranging output of essays, Huxley also edited the magazine Oxford Poetry, and published short stories, poetry, travel...
(Brave New World
Brave New World
Brave New World is Aldous Huxley's fifth novel, written in 1931 and published in 1932. Set in London of AD 2540 , the novel anticipates developments in reproductive technology and sleep-learning that combine to change society. The future society is an embodiment of the ideals that form the basis of...
) meeting in Purgatory
Purgatory
Purgatory is the condition or process of purification or temporary punishment in which, it is believed, the souls of those who die in a state of grace are made ready for Heaven...
and engaging in a philosophical discussion on faith. It was inspired by the odd coincidence that all three men died on the same day: November 22, 1963. We see from the three points of view: Kennedy's "humanist
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
" or "modern Christian" view, Lewis's "conservative Christian" or "mere Christian
Mere Christianity
Mere Christianity is a theological book by C. S. Lewis, adapted from a series of BBC radio talks made between 1941 and 1944, while Lewis was at Oxford during World War II...
" view, and Huxley's "Orientalized Christian" view. The book progresses as Lewis and Kennedy discuss Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
' being God incarnate
Incarnation (Christianity)
The Incarnation in traditional Christianity is the belief that Jesus Christ the second person of the Trinity, also known as God the Son or the Logos , "became flesh" by being conceived in the womb of a woman, the Virgin Mary, also known as the Theotokos .The Incarnation is a fundamental theological...
, to Lewis and Huxley discussing whether or not Jesus was a "deity
Deity
A deity is a recognized preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers....
" or "just a good person."
The Great Conversation
The Great Conversation is a concept partially born out of Kreeft's novel. For the most part, it is an idea put forth by various CatholicCatholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
apologists like Kreeft whereby all people in purgatory will naturally converse with each other so as to ascertain where they are and how they got there. The best way to think of it according to Kreeft is a large social gathering in which every participant has, almost invariably, exactly the same questions on his or her mind.