The idea that after death, parts of Christians are sent to heaven and hell can be interpreted as the division of the soul into substantially distinct components, each of which obtains a corresponding fate depending on the spiritual state of the person.

Dual Paths of the Soul

The idea that after death, parts of Christians are sent to heaven and hell can be interpreted as the division of the soul into substantially distinct components, each of which obtains a corresponding fate depending on the spiritual state of the person. This interpretation suggests that the soul contains aspects inclined toward both a luminous and a dark perception of existence. For instance, one cited material states:

"Hell is mysteriously connected with heaven. For the Lord, there is neither hell nor heaven. … Hell is the celestial light refracted through the cursed. Thus, heaven and hell are exclusively subjective states of the soul. They are two spheres existing within each soul, and divinity merely permits each of them to manifest alternately." (source: link txt)

Another source provides a detailed description of the process of dividing a human being at death:

"Death is the execution of the immortal human being, inflicted as punishment for disobedience to God. In death, the person is painfully split and torn into two parts… his soul exists separately, and his body exists separately.

What happens to the soul after death?

According to Church tradition, based on the words of Christ, the souls of the righteous are received by angels at the threshold of heaven, where they remain until the Final Judgment, awaiting eternal bliss: 'He died, the poor Lazarus, and was carried by angels to the bosom of Abraham' (Luke 16:22). The souls of sinners fall into the hands of demons and are 'in hell, in torment' (Luke 16:23)." (source: link txt)

From these statements, one can conclude that, in this interpretation, there is a notion of the dual nature of the human soul. One aspect, characterized by inner purity and righteousness, is directed toward a state associated with heaven, while another aspect, inherently colored by sinfulness or suffering, finds itself in a state of hell. Thus, the idea that "parts" of Christians after death are sent to heaven and hell reflects the notion that the final position of the soul depends on which aspect of its internal state prevails at the moment of divine judgment or during the process of inner purification after death.

Supporting citation(s):
"Hell is mysteriously connected with heaven… Thus, heaven and hell are exclusively subjective states of the soul. They are two spheres existing within each soul, and divinity merely permits each of them to manifest alternately." (source: link txt)

"Death is the execution of the immortal human being… his soul exists separately, and his body exists separately… the souls of the righteous are received by angels at the threshold of heaven… The souls of sinners fall into the hands of demons and are 'in hell, in torment'." (source: link txt)