Postponing Heaven
The Three Nephites, the Bodhisattva, and the Mahdi
“Lord, give unto me power over death, that I may live and bring souls unto thee.”
—Doctrine & Covenants 7:2
Christianity, like other world religions, surprisingly acknowledges the existence of a plurality of human messiahs. In this comparative work, philosopher Jad Hatem examines Mormonism’s Three Nephites, Buddhism’s Bodhisattva, and Islam’s Mahdi—distinctive messianic figures who postpone Heaven, sacrificially prolonging their lives for the benefit of humankind.
Originally published in French, this translation includes two additional papers written by Jad Hatem dealing with aspects of Latter-day Saint belief and a new interview between Hatem and Latter-day Saint philosopher James E. Faulconer.
Postponing Heaven is the first book in the Maxwell Institute’s new series, Groundwork: Studies in Theory and Scripture.
"[This] book is rich in implications on the significance of human messianicity across religious traditions."
About the Author
Jonathon Penny
Jonathon Penny (Ph.D., University of Ottawa) is a published poet and scholar of letters whose work examines the intersection of theology and literature. He has taught at universities in the United States, Canada, and the Middle East.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Translator's Preface
Introduction
1. The Vow
2. Nistar
3. Kerygma
4. Contemporaneity
5. Nephite-Mahdite Time
6. Lehi’s Axiom
By Way of Conclusion
Appendix 1. The Fundamental Law of Opposition: Lehi and Schelling
Appendix 2. Yahweh and Jesus
Appendix 3. Interview with Jad Hatem
Citation Index
Publication Information
Publication Month: November
Publication Year: 2015
Language: English
ISBN 13: 978-0-8425-2867-2
Page Count: 100
Price: $ 15.95
Imprint: Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship