Will All My Questions Be Answered In Heaven:
There can be no doubt we are a species designed to pursue answers to the unknown. That such a pursuit is an obvious condition of these temporary lives. However, many wonder if our pursuit of knowledge continues only as long as we live. If perhaps, when we die we will be given the answers to the questions that plagued us throughout our lives.
To best answer this question we have to begin with a few assumptions:
- There is a God capable of answering our questions
- There is an eternal afterlife
- We are in fact a species designed to pursue answers to the unknown
Without these basic assumptions (which are really questions unto themselves) any conclusions we may draw will be too hypothetical to be of any use.
Considering these assumptions we can draw at least two possibilities:
- Our quest for knowledge is contingent upon our living – This suggest our quest will end when we die and we will be given answers to all of our questions.
Or; - Or quest for knowledge is not contingent upon our living – This suggest our quest for knowledge will continue into our afterlives and we will not be given answers to all of our questions.
Assuming we are given all the answers when we die:
The Pros:
Assuming we are designed to find answers to to the unknown, it is only reasonable to hope for a time when we will be given all of the answers. While the act of dying may be terrifying to many people, the belief that the mysteries of life will be revealed can make death more interesting and less terrifying. Believing we will be given the answers to all of our questions provides us with something to look forward to when we die.
The Cons:
If we assume our quest for knowledge is contingent upon living and we will be given answers to all of our questions when we die, we are left with the problem of: What then? Are we really left to face an eternal afterlife devoid of further knowledge and personal growth?
Further, we must wonder why God would answer all of our questions. What purpose would this serve? Certainly we don’t deserve such a quality as omniscience.
Outside of our desire for answers, there is no reason to believe our questions will be answered upon death. Nor is there any benefit to being provided all of the answers. If we assume our quest for knowledge ends with our lives, then our afterlives seem, at best uninteresting and rather pointless. Certainly, inconsistent with how many view Heaven.
Assuming we are not given all the answers when we die:
The Pros:
If we are in fact a species designed by God to pursue answers to the unknown, what reason do we have to believe this design changes simply because we die. Certainly, personal development and growth is the most interesting and engaging element of these temporary lives. If Heaven is the continuation and perfection of life, then it is reasonable to assume that conditions, such as our pursuit of knowledge, will continue and be perfected in Heaven.
When we assume are not simply given all the answers, but instead are allowed to find the answers, Heaven seems more interesting and engaging. It also seems more consistent with most people’s understanding of the purpose of Heaven.
The Cons:
Many believe a condition of Heaven is to have the things we want out of life. If we were designed by God to want answers, then it is reasonable to believe that we will have answers in Heaven. If we are to believe this, then we must assume we are given the answers before we enter Heaven.
Conclusion:
While we cannot know what Heaven will be like. Or, what that act of dying and facing God for the first time will be like, we can conclude that we have no reason (outside of our immediate desire) to believe we will be given answers to all of our questions when we die.
While it is not necessarily a fallacy to believe Heaven will the manifestation of the things we want. We have to remember that only God knows what we truly want. While we may think we want all the answers when we die, perhaps God knows we would rather be equipped to find the answers instead of simply given the answers.