Take the 2-minute tour ×  It is interesting that both of the
most prominent Christian fantasy authors (not as in "Christian
Fantasy" but Christians who wrote fantasy) put paradise across
the sea. I realize that Tolkien's Númenor (the place across the
sea in Middle Earth where Elves go, etc.) was not actually an
analog of heaven (despite my title bate wording :), and probably
traces more of it's mental origins to Celtic myth and legends of
Atlantis. And I imagine that CS Lewis may have derived his idea
of Aslan's country from discussions of Númenor with Tolkien as
part of their Inkling's group.  But I'm wondering if there is
anything in earlier Christian writings or thought (especially
the Bible of course) that might have influenced this creative
choice?  I also find it interesting that "across the sea" seems
to have been picked up by some Christian musicians (Jeremy
Enigk's "The Prophet" and I think there was one by Havalina
Railroad Co which I can't find, there may be others).  So, lest
this be considered of