Heaven and hell

‘‘WHATEVER YOU DO,” I advised, “don’t invite Jesus.” My colleague, Ernie, who thinks imagination is a tool of historical research, was planning a last fantasy dinner-party before Covid yields to normal social life. Religious leaders filled his wish-list of guests. He had already lined up Confucius, Buddha and Guru Nanak, perhaps to ensure uncontentious table-talk. Christ, I insisted, would be a terrible addition.

He could be generous as a host, though the amount of leftovers