NowTHINK!AboutIt

Avoiding Hackneyed...Making Sense

Heaven Now Open To All

by 10 Comments

“Jesus Said” Is Not Always
An Argument

Colton Burpo and his book, Heaven is for Real, have caused a huge public stir and responses have been both positive and negative.

Some atheist and agnostic types – particularly of the academic kind – have attacked not just Colton but also those who believe his story. It hackles them that so many can be so light headed.

Others have been uncertain how to assess Colton’s testimony. They don’t question the idea of heaven or the possibility of a pre-death visit but are uncertain how to assess a report like this and, therefore, reticent on the issue.

Add to that any apparent Bible reason to question the validity of his experience and doubts abound. One verse which seems to suggest Colton’s report can’t be genuine is John 3:13. Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus and He says:

No one has ever gone (ascended) into heaven except the one who came from heaven–the Son of Man.

Wow, right from the mouth of Jesus – “No one has ever gone into heaven.” Seems like a deal killer but a closer inspection clears things up. [Read more…] about Heaven Now Open To All

“Heaven Is For Real” vs Academic Heavies

by 2 Comments

If Heaven Isn’t Real
Why Worry About It

They may not believe Heaven is for Real but academic heavy hitters are lining up to take a swing at Colton Burpo.

Susan Jacoby, for one, suggested the American public’s infatuation with his book proves they are immature minded and this isn’t a new trend for her. In a February 2008 article she referred to the same group as “dunces.”

About Colton’s book, she quips, “only in America could a book like this be classified as nonfiction.”

I’m not sure if “immature” represents an improvement or is the reason she thinks we are dumb, but you get the feeling things would change if we would just read a few books on Reason – starting with her’s, of course. She’s written several and you could almost map the road to reprobation in the titles:

  • Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism – 2004.
  • The Age of American Unreason – 2008.

Not that that matters to her. She doesn’t believe and is proud to say so.

The real issue is, Colton’s book has sold over a million copies – and counting – and is breaking all the records at Thomas Nelson publishers. And, as a non materialistic atheist, who apparently doesn’t appreciate people suggesting she or her kind writes books for money, she doesn’t hesitate to suggest the Burpo’s did just that, accusingly, as if there is something wrong with making money.

Her cynicism doesn’t slur it gushes arterially.

I will say that it’s good she doesn’t write for profit because her books don’t sell that well. [Read more…] about “Heaven Is For Real” vs Academic Heavies

10 “Heaven Is For Real” Discussion Questions

by 20 Comments

Heaven Is For Real Conversation Guide

Is The Gag Order
On Reports Of Heaven Absolute

There are several recently published books that focus on the reality of heaven. The books are based on actual visits by people who temporarily died and report the sights, sounds and feelings they experienced while there.

Though this topic catches the interest of many people it evokes very diverse responses.

Some people believe there is no heaven and view the books as nothing more than hopeful thinking. A few of these types, however, are open minded enough to read the books.

There are many who believe heaven is a reality but they don’t all agree on how to view these reports.

  • Some read the books with a sense of hope, asking no questions at all.
  • Some approach the issue skeptically, not allowing the possibility of a temporary visit to heaven or at least not allowing any reports about it afterward.

It is interesting that this second group are the ones who are the least thoughtful. They dismiss the reports out of hand “claiming” the Bible does not allow such things, assuming the devil is behind it all, attempting to deceive the faithful.

  • Others are fair enough to ask important questions and search the Scriptures to see if the reports match what the Bible actually says.

One book that has become popular is Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo. I’ve listed a few questions to help stimulate questions about his son’s (Colton) visit to heaven, but since then more has been added.

[do_widget id=media_image-4]

The book became so popular the author decided to produce a DVD-Based Conversation Kit for families or small groups. It includes five sessions lasting 10 to 18 minutes each featuring Colton and his parents, Todd and Sonja, answering questions about heaven and their experiences.

To be honest, I think the videos are a bit preachy and often stray off topic. The questions asked aren’t always answered well but it does give you a glimpse of the people behind the story.

And the story is quite interesting.

Just under 4 years old when he visited heaven, Colton was quite a bit younger than most who report the same kind of experience. His book makes a great read and his experience, coupled with the Bible, makes a great study source and that is why I put a few discussion questions together specifically for this book. The questions are intended to explore:

  • Accusations undermining the validity of the experience.
  • Misunderstandings about Bible teaching on the subject.
  • Confusion around the differences between Colton’s experience and that of others.

Hopefully you will find the questions thought provoking regardless which category you fit in. And the DVD Kit will make the study personal. It brings the Burpos into your study group. [Read more…] about 10 “Heaven Is For Real” Discussion Questions

Review: “Heaven Is For Real” by Todd Burop

by 21 Comments

Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo

Heaven is for Real is a bio of a “near death” experience (NDE) but without all the “weird” and “sketchy” images that usually accompany such stories.

My review takes a positive approach. I believe Colton’s experience was genuine and his report is as accurate as any retelling of an event can be. And since heaven is not only real but very close we shouldn’t be surprised when it bleeds through occasionally.

The story is different in that it doesn’t focus on “long tunnels with lights at the end” or the sensation of watching medical personnel feverishly operate from a hovering out-of-body perspective. It is a matter of fact story shared from the perspective of an almost four-year-old child who had no preconceived ideas beforehand and explains everything casually. To him it wasn’t strange.

Colton Burpo, just before his fourth birthday, has a ruptured appendix that is misdiagnosed for several days. Because the event takes place in rural Nebraska, medical personnel and facilities are few and far between. The experience involved miles of travel between hospitals and desperate dependence on professionals who were not hopeful but gave it their best shot. His death was so expected his recovery was dumbfounding.

But recovery, though miraculous, is not the story. God’s answering many prayers in a hopeless situation is also not the story. Heaven is. [Read more…] about Review: “Heaven Is For Real” by Todd Burop