Heaven is for Real

What to do, what to do...

When I (a proud pastor) throw out a general "That book is 'ok'" I have to be careful.

I personally read Heaven is for Real because my mother-in-law wanted to know if it was 'ok.' Which, being a pastor, I am supposed to know. So, over Christmas, one evening, I read it.

My pastor 'senses' were trying to tell me something 'felt' wrong. But I couldn't find any theological issues with it. It reminded me, a bit, of when Randy Alcorn, in his book entitled Heaven , said that some of what he believed would be in heaven were not based on any scripture, but did not violate scripture.

I had another person send me a pretty thorough, fair, review. But the conclusion was a bit harsh. It was, in a nut-shell. DON'T READ THIS OR PROMOTE IT.

One good part of the review was his determination that Paul did not reveal what he saw, so should we listen to a kid reveal what he saw (a very cute kid by the way). I hadn't thought about the 'Paul went to heaven but did not reveal any details' aspect. It is a good point. The reviewer also pointed out that CHRIST is to be our hope, not the dreams of a little kid (or Don Piper for that matter)

What to do... What to do...

I DO have a hard time accusing someone of being a liar and touring with his son who nearly died and tells this story alongside of his parents.

I also personally know some reviewers BLAST anything that they deem to be 'low thinking' and not 'high intellect.' So We have to try to figure out what we have here. TO be honest, I understand how a book like this for 'the people' would probably irk a theological reviewer. And I get that.

That being said, this book is in a category that is very hard to do ANY review. It's not a Lucado type of "picture this!" book. It is not a 'what if' fictional journey (what if...Johnny died for a bit and went to heaven). It is not a kids book (well, the Christian money marketing has made a kids version). It is not a theology book (though it throws around a lot of basically okay theology, and not any really BAD theology). It is a hard-to-knock, feel good story, with no real 'bad' theology, and some strange goings on that feel good, but are based on the musings and mumblings of a very young man.
(If I did that based on my six year old, DEREK'S musings, we would have QUITE the theological book!)

What to do...What to do...

So I will go Jesus style and answer with a couple of questions.

1.)  How can I USE this? If my review is just to be an evaluation, maybe we can evaluate with opposing viewpoints in hand...It IS a New York Times Bestseller.  So, read the positive and negative viewpoints. Then, determine what should be done about the book. Should I recommend it? Should I accept it? How would I respond if my unsaved friend was given this book by someone else and they asked me what I thought of it. (it DOES present a clear gospel...) Should I condemn it as heresy? Could someone get saved by it? Should I base my theology concerning the Holy Spirit, Jesus, heaven, salvation, etc. on it? (it talks about the Holy Spirit looking like it is shooting blue lightning bolts...)

Is it too 'out there' to recommend? I personally do not look to 'recommend' it.  Yet if someone IS given it, can I point to the good theology without throwing out the whole book and risking alienating someone who is genuinely interested in going to heaven because they read the book? (which, again, emphasizes the gospel, and being saved so you won't go to hell)

1. bonus thoughts) I personally believe this (being able to evaluate) is the best tool to give our students. An ability to evaluate and determine what a book is and how to use it...that kind of ability equips them for movies, music, flaming atheists, liberal believers, and even the opinions of their fellow teens.

 2.) How is being presented? As a book that is very popular? or as a theologically true book? This is book should NOT be a source of theology. It is an autobiography that is a bit subjective, and hard (and awkward) to disprove.
If I start telling everyone that this is a GREAT book that is SO true and will help them understand theological conepts, Then there is a problem.

If I say it is an interesting book to be evaluated and considered, as it is a NYTimes best-seller (and soon to be a movie) that many people are reading.That gives us much to be discussed about WHY it is so popular, WHAT is missing, HOW does it stand against scripture, and SHOULD this be a tool, or just a cute book that makes you think...

Again, before you recommend or use this book,  I would recommend reading it yourself since the others are. Mainly because, LOTS of people, non-believers and believers, are reading it. And if that is the case, you can be a resource that points to the truth that is central to the reason this book IS popular.

People want to know. Is there a heaven? Is there a hell? Am I ready for eternity?

And THEN, we can be ready to give an answer!

-this is dedicated to my favorite person/teacher who rips on my English! BP!!