To Gaze upon God: The Beatific Vision in Doctrine, Tradition, and Practice

The term “beatific vision” refers to believers being able, in heaven, to fully gaze upon God in all his beauty and glory. One aspect of this concept, however, is the idea that believers can experience beatific vision even while still on the earthly plane. Parkison (theology, Gulf Theological Seminary; Irresistible Beauty: Beholding Triune Glory in the Face of Jesus Christ) shows that while the latter aspect of this teaching might be unfamiliar to many Christians, it’s a doctrine that has been supported by Christian tradition from as far back as the Early Church to the Post-Reformation periods. It’s also affirmed in Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, and Protestant faiths, and there’s significant support in scripture. Parkison seeks to educate Christians—especially believers in the Reformed Evangelical tradition, but other denominations as well—about beatific vision and to show how it can deepen one’s experience of prayer and collective worship. His book also indicates how beatific vision can impact understanding of missions, striving for holiness, and handling personal conflicts.