The theology of child resurrection

In 2019, American Christians were fascinated with this subject

Kalley Heiligenthal asking for prayer for her 2-year-old daughter, Olive,

It seems fair to say that America has long been fascinated by scenes of children dying and communicating visions of the Afterlife. It’s right there in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the 1852 novel with a famous scene of Little Eva hovering on the edge of life and death.

“O, Eva, tell us what you see! What is it?” said her father.

A bright, a glorious smile passed over her face, and she said, brokenly, — “O! love, — joy, — peace!” gave one sigh and passed from death unto life!

Ah, she goes too soon to communicate what she sees.

Here in 2019, the interest is in children who come back from the dead. At the same time, ironically, Christian theologians, even very conservative ones, are dismantling the traditional idea of Heaven — on Biblical grounds! Note N.T. Wright’s recent essay in Time:

What then was the personal hope for Jesus’ followers? Ultimately, resurrection — a new and immortal physical body in God’s new creation. But, after death and before that final reality, a period of blissful rest.

But the Christian faithful seem convinced: their chidren go to Heaven, and when they’re resurrected, they may have memories of it.