Question on christian imagery - why a mansion?

[DanCa]

I have a question for the board why where and when did the image of heaven being a "Mansion in the sky," start? I mean Christ was sold out for thirty pieces of silver and said it is easier for a camel to pass thru the eye of the needle than for a rich man too make it into heaven, let alone all the things he said about blessed be the poor and tax collecting.
So with that being said I was wondering how the whole mansion thing started. Thoughts?

[msongs]

1. white racist christian massas used it as pie in the sky? churches have

always used this religion as a way to oppress, manipulate, and control the common masses of people so a promise to the grunts that they could join the ruling class sounds like one possibility.

Msongs

[phantom power]

2. It probably goes back at least to Calvinism.

the twisted notion that
(1) every person was pre-destined from birth for either heaven or hell
(2) and that God actually indicated who he chose, by worldly success.

[atommom]

3. I'm thinking that humans were too greedy to take "blessed be the poor"

to heart. The vision of Heaven as a luxurious paradise was more compelling to many people ... especially these days, when the Dominionists have convinced many people that wealth is God's reward to the righteous (and poverty is God's punishment to the unrighteous).

IMO, they've turned the whole thing upside down. :shrug:

[flyingfysh]

4. there's a Bible quote

It goes something like this: "In my father's house there are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you."

[DanCa]

6. Do you have the page please

I thought it was a house with many rooms. Not a mansion. I am not doubting you i am just trying to jog my memory. Thanks :D

[SteppingRazor]

10. John 14:2

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."

That's from the King James version, which is, of course, the standard.

Note that the word "mansion," only appears in John, not in Matthew, Mark or Luke. Still, it's almost certainly the basis for the "Mansion in the sky" reference.

[DanCa]

11. Thanks my friend. (nt)

[Poor Richard Lex]

5. I think it is in the Book of John

I have forgotten the cite, but in the King James Bible it read "in my Father's house are many mansions. I will go and prepare a place for you ane receive you unto myself, for I am the way, the truth and the light. No man cometh to my father exvcept by me." or some such

I believe that other versions have "houses" instead of "mansions" but Im not sure.

[jwirr]

7. The word is a matter of interpretation. In King James England

it was translated "mansions" by a King who was rich. If there is anyone here who knows the Greek language they should be able to give you alternatives. I have heard "room" and "home" used and I suspect either is more appropriate.

[DanCa]

9. I have used home and house as well and mockingly called mansion

by springsteen and mellencamp.

[madrchsod]

8. i think it may have started in the usa

in the slave gospel music. it was going to be their reward for the trials they were going thru. i`m sure that the symbol behind the "mansion in the sky" is as old as humans who looked to the sky and wondered if life was better "out there". it`s not just a "christian thing" i think it`s universal.