Heaven Is For Real
Heaven Is For Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back.
Reviewed by Dr. Jeff Gibbs, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
Holding a copy of this book is a bit like drawing close to Mom or Apple Pie. It’s a bright yellow, easy-to-read paperback with a cute photo of a little boy on the front: “#1 New York Times Bestseller, Over Two Million Copies in Print.” It is a sincere account, in a Christian father’s first-person voice. Here’s a summary of its story.
In an opening prologue, the reader learns that the family’s younger child (a son, Colton) recently almost died after an undiagnosed ruptured appendix. We also hear briefly the book’s main claim: this little boy made a trip to heaven, and has returned with reliable knowledge of what heaven is like. The story then flashes back in time to tell of earlier months for the Burpo family. Illness, stresses in ministry (Mr. Burpo is a Wesleyan pastor), and times of difficulty seemed to be over for the family. The story draws you in; you identify with the Burpos. It’s not hard to imagine being their friend.
Colton’s illness then is described, and death looms. The family is in anguish; sincere, real anguish. Mercifully, the little boy lives, and the family seems to be out of the woods; even their medical bills shrink as Christians generously help. It’s a good story, and there is no reason to doubt its sincerity. Thus far chapters 1 to 11.
In chapter 12-27, the book finally develops the claim that has turned it into a sensation. Gradually, the father’s voice tells how Colton’s statements about the afterlife lead him and his wife to conclude that their son has been in heaven, has seen Jesus and other people, and is now a reliable source of information, including new information that has not been revealed in Scripture (like the “fact” that the angel Gabriel sits on a throne on the left hand of God the Father, with Jesus enthroned on the right). In a brief epilogue, Rev. Burpo describes how the book came to be written, and how its title was chosen; Colton said, “I want them to know that heaven is for real.” And the book ends there.
Many people will simply dismiss this book. That would be a mistake; we should only dismiss things that make no substantial claims, or that pose no real threats. Because of the claims made in this book, we should take it very seriously, and read it with our best Christian understanding and faith. For that reason, I have concluded that this book is seriously flawed, and offers little if any positive or lasting contribution to Christian understanding. In fact, there are aspects of the book which, if people accept and believe them, will distract readers from crucially important Biblical ways of thinking and living. I can offer three brief criticisms of this book. In doing so, I plead with my reader not to think that I am doubting the sincerity of the author or his family. But here is where this book misses the mark.
In the first place, there is no effort to verify the book’s claims. Do not dismiss me as some secular skeptic! Consider that less than a week before I read Heaven is For Real, the world was hearing the story of John Paul II’s beatification by the Church of Rome. Part of this process (at which Lutherans look askance, of course) is required verification that a miracle was performed through the saintly mediation of John Paul II after his death. The Church of Rome takes this with great seriousness; it is too important not to do so. The church extensively investigates all purported miracles. Not surprisingly, they discover many obviously false (though perhaps sincere) claims. But this is the point: it is so important that they take it seriously, and they investigate all such claims with a kind of holy skepticism.
By remarkable contrast, Heaven is For Real asks us to take the extraordinary claims put forward in the book at face value. In fact, the story is told so sincerely and with such genuine familial love that one feels almost guilty for asking for some sort of verifying investigation. These are, however, important matters! Remarkably, over and over Rev. Burpo validates some insight about “heaven” from his young son with the statement, “There’s no way he could have known that!” These matters are too important for that kind of approach. I am not questioning Burpo’s sincerity; the 8th Commandment demands that I conclude that he believes what he is writing. Nevertheless, as I read Heaven is For Real, I recalled the wise counsel of a veteran pastor from decades ago: When someone says they have had a spiritual experience, you never deny that something happened. But you always reserve the right to interpret it in light of Scripture.
That brings me to my second Christian criticism. In this well-meaning narrative, Holy Scripture’s authority comes to be less important than the testimony of Colton Burpo. His father tells how he (and others) came to believe in God’s promises more strongly than ever before. But apparently, the testimony of the prophets and apostles and Christ himself in Scripture was not enough. The convictions that God hears the prayers of His Christians (p.84), that God helps his pastors with power when they preach (p.126), and that Christianity itself is true (p.130) are all established as certain through Colton’s testimony about heaven—how shaky a foundation for the saints of the Lord!
In the third place, and most foundationally, this book wrongly assumes throughout that God’s purpose in sending His Son into the world to serve, suffer, die, and rise from the dead was so that when we die, we can “go to heaven.” To be sure, there is sufficient testimony in Scripture to say that when a believer dies, his soul goes to rest with Christ. But as every writing in the New Testament shows, Scripture reveals very little of what “heaven” is like, and (more importantly), “heaven” is not the great hope and promise of the Christian message at all! Rather, the return of Christ in glory is the time when God’s good work, begun in us, will come to completion (Phil 1:6), and the creation itself will be set free from decay into the glorious freedom bestowed on God’s children (Romans 8).
The book actually narrates one grotesque example of what can logically happen when “dying and going to heaven” is made the greatest good. Young Colton has just articulated this view: “Jesus died on the cross so we could to see his Dad” (p.111). Several weeks later, when Rev. Burpo is trying to teach his son not to run out into traffic, he tells him, “You could die!” Colton smiled and replies, “Oh, good! That means I get to go back to heaven!” The father has no real answer, except to say that he wants to die first. In the reality created by this way of thinking, death is your best friend. In the reality created by the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, death is an evil invader, and the last enemy that the Lord Jesus will one day fully overthrow (1 Cor 15).
As N. T. Wright, the great New Testament scholar has quipped, “I’m not against heaven; but it’s not the end of the world!” It is the Easter season. Christ did not rise from the dead so that when we die, our souls could go to be in heaven. No. Christ died and rose, ascended and will come again, in order to renew the creation, and “on the Last Day He will raise up me and all the dead, and give unto me and all believers in Christ eternal life. This is most certainly true.” There is not one crumb, not one word in Heaven is For Real that God’s full plan of salvation in Christ means eternal life now, and on the last day, full bodily holiness and immortality for all believers and for the whole cosmos. There is no appreciation for the importance of our bodies, and of God’s promise in Christ to redeem them and raise us to everlasting life. In brief, the best response to this book might be simply to confess the words of the Nicene Creed: “I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world (Greek, “age”) to come.”
Dr. Jeffrey Gibbs is Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary. He has authored several books on the Gospel of Matthew, including a nearly-completed three volume commentary.
i could tell just by the title of the book that you weren’t going to be a big fan…
Dr. Gibbs,
Thanks for taking the time to review this book. This book, and others (e.g., Love Wins, and to a lesser extent The Shack) do make claims about Christianity that should be addressed rather than dismissed. There is a part of me that wants to read these books and run them through the theological filters and lenses that the Seminary has equipped me with, but sometimes I debate as to whether it is worth my time to read it. And there are other times when I don’t want to “support” the book by spending my money on it. However, if I wait until I can snag it from the library, I will be a year or so late to the discussion. Furthermore, no individual can keep up with all the books that make all the claims about Christianity. I guess that why Christians are part of a community and share “Life Together.” We can build off the work of others, like directing a parishioner to your review of a book that I don’t intend to reed. I found your review to be helpful, timely, and a time/money-saving measure for me. So, for all of that, thanks again.
Regarding the actual review of the book, I did appreciate the emphasis on acknowledging the sincerity of the claims while unabashedly using Scripture as the lens by which to interpret them.
Dr. Gibbs,
Thank you for taking the time to review this very popular book. It was recently suggested to me by a friend who said it increased her confidence in the reality of heaven. Although I understood the sentiment, I found it a disturbing one for many of the reasons you outlined in your review.
While I agree with the vast majority of the things you mentioned, I must disagree with at least one point. While scripture makes it clear that death is an invader, Paul himself said “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” because death meant being with Jesus “which is by far better.” Colton’s comment about death (however bluntly put) is quite in line with Paul’s views regardless of his dad’s failure to come up with a strong response. To die IS gain.
I’m not sure I would go too far with aligning what Paul is saying in Philippians 1 with what the Colton says about death. The contexts are extremely different: Colton is being taught not to run in the street – Paul is in jail and uncertain whether he is to be put to death or not. In Paul’s context, he’s trying to give assurance to the Philippians that their prayers for his deliverance will be answered, either by his release or in death. Yes, Paul says that, in Christ, to die is to gain, but he also then expresses his desire to remain with them and goes on to exhort them to live a life worthy of the Gospel. I read what Paul is saying here as “For to me (ie: for Paul and my current situation) to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” In this way, Paul is saying that because he has been arrested for the spreading the Gospel, to be released and live is to spread the Gospel more and to die for the same Gospel is fulfilling the command to take up his cross and follow Him. For Colton’s context, running out in the street and getting hit by a car wouldn’t necessarily be “to gain” in this regard.
Dr. Gibbs (who has not yet caught up to commenting on blog posts) asked this to be posted–sounds like Sean has been a good student, though!:
Dear Alan:
Thanks very much for writing. I think it is important to read Phil 1:23 in its context. Paul is not discussing the goal of the Christian life, or final salvation, or anything like that. He is in prison, and he is an apostle–which means he has been persecuted, beaten, and rejected over and over again. As he contemplates the days ahead, he is faced, he says, with two good choices. To live on would be fruitful labor on behalf of his beloved fellow Christians. To die, on the other hand is gain, and in some sense far better. But in what sense? The entire structure of Paul’s thought looks forward with longing to the return of Christ when the good work that God has begun in Christ will be brought to completion (Phil 1:6). His goal toward which he presses is not dying and going to heaven, but the resurrection of the body, which he has not yet attained, but which he anticipates eagerly when Christ returns from heaven (Phil 3). Phil 1:23 cannot be allowed somehow to trump or overturn the major strokes of Paul’s thought, especially his teaching about death as an enemy in Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15.
Death cannot separate us from Christ. Nothing can (except unbelief). And, yes, to die in the Lord is a blessed rest and “better” presumably becasue there is no more danger or toil or temptation. But when we have died, we are not fully human–we are not the body-and-soul-knit-together creatures that God desires us to be. As Dr. Francis Pieper describes in the first volume of his Christian Dogmatics, death is a fearful tearing asunder of our human nature.
Ah, well–I get too excited about these things. I hope that some of what I’ve said makes sense. Oh, for the day when all will be made clear, in the light of Christ’s return! In Him, Jeff Gibbs
You don’t have to go to the context to glean what Paul means when he says ‘to die is gain’ as he makes it perfectly clear in verse 23 “I desire to depart and be with Christ which is by far better” Colton’s response could certainly be seen as flippant and the dad could have given a much better answer (possibly something echoing Paul’s own sentiment that it’s better he remains for the sake of others), but I stand by my initial assertion that Colton’s view of death is in line with Paul’s. To try and ‘contextualize’ Paul’s comments to mean something less than what they clearly state is inaccurate.
Hi Jeff,
Thank you for your very thoughtful response. You were quite clear in what you said
I should make it clear that I think Colton’s view of LIFE doesn’t match Paul’s and this is where the dad could have had a teaching moment. And I also agree with everything you state about the circumstances of Paul’s life when he made the comment, which necessarily gives context to what he says about death.
Much of what I’m stating is seasoned by things I’ve recently learned about the reality of heaven and how first century Christians seemed to have a very different view of death than we do today. That Colton’s comments don’t bear the weight of authority or the theological background of Paul’s is without question. But in his childish way, he still seems to be closer to the truth than most of what we see in our culture today. Our culture is obsessed with avoiding death (or even the thought of it). But the truth sets us free, which is why I get so excited about the fact that we get to be with Christ when we die “which is by far better”
Until that day!
Hey, great discussion. Alan, I appreciate your perspective.
Just a real quick thought though, re: Alan’s comment;
I think we can see why keeping Dr. Gibbs’ emphasis (er… I mean St. Paul’s emphasis,) on the day of the resurrection instead of on the intermediate period can be seen even in the closing comment that Alan just posted: “Until that day!”
“Until that day” is certainly a Christian thought and is a source of joy and a great thing to think of… but not if when we say “until that day!” we mean “the day of our deaths”. We do not point forward with joy to that day, and cry with joy about its coming, and pray that it would come with haste. The very idea of that seems odd, and SHOULD seem odd.
Instead, “Until that day!” is a phrase that only makes sense if we’re talking about the day of the resurrection to come, where death is no more.
I don’t want to nit pick or be all modern and semantic, but I certainly think this is really important: All of our phrasing and language and the ways that we refer to death are all emphasizing and aiming at (and hoping in) the wrong thing if death is seen “as gain” in the way I think you are meaning it. And while I am sure that you have a proper understanding that the resurrection of the dead (and not the intermediate period) is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan, many many people in our congregations do not. That is why it is all the more important that we point to the hope that St. Paul also points to: creation the way God intended for it to be, and as it will be, at the return of Christ. In THAT light, we certainly can say “until that day”.
We must not dissect every little detail of this book. I agree with this person about the Apostle Pauls statement. I also did digging into the Bible on the discussions. I found that we are to test the spirits. How do we know if a spirit is from Christ? If it claiming that the way to Heaven is through Jesus. I believe this book SIMPLY made that point when little Colton told his dad that the dying old man Must believe in Jesus or he WONT go to Heaven.
That is all the claim I need to hear. This book would not have alot of theological stuff in it because if you don’t remember the boy was only three years old initially. This story is coming from him. I feel it has been a great compliment and encouragement to christians not a a defilement. Remember the verse whatever is good, right, praiseworthy …. think of these? I think this book truly does this, Praises God and Heaven. And besides aren’t we all supposed to have the ‘FAITH” of a child? How can we do that if people have to diagnose or read more into it than just what was written.
A.J.
Thanks for your response. Ahh! Ok, I see the distinction being made and how my previous posts could seem to be saying the wrong thing. I don’t look forward to death, I look forward to being with Christ. My hope isn’t in death but in Christ and His resurrection. I can see how that distinction could be lost in the book being reviewed and why it’s important to point it out.
Am I tracking now?
Thanks again,
Alan
While all you say is true…..and the boy’s account is simple…..but then when Christians first come to faith, by the power of the Holy Spirit…..majority of them are “Babes” in the faith and are not straight out of seminary or 40 days in the desert being taught personally by the Lord Jesus……thus they are to go from the “milk” of the word to the “meat”. This is the work of the Holy Spirit,enticing the new “babe in the faith” to study Holy Scripture with a hunger for more growth in understanding. I have discovered in the 50+ years in the LCMS…that many old fogies my age are still “babes” on the “milk”. Finally, God can use even this book to bring people to him, do you not agree? as HE IS the author and perfector of our faith” Many tmes men mean stuff for evil, but God uses it for “good”.
It is true that “men mean stuff for evil, but God uses it for ‘good,’” but certainly that does not suggest that we should shrink from calling evil what it is or that we should not mark and avoid it. Indeed, to the extent that God may use false teaching for good, it would happen because, in response to that false teaching, godly men have spoken clearly against it, and people are thus saved or strengthened in their faith!
Amen this is what I am saying. If something in this world is giving praise to God and possibly bringing non christians to the idea that there is something to this God/Jesus thing then it is of God not of the devil. So why do we insist on always trying to find fault? This book has inspired many that I know to rethink things. And then to have a seminarian come in and throw a wrench in this whole simplicity of it, is he giving praises to
God? Anything is possible with Christ and this book could lead many to believe in him after all and I feel your words just took a possible uprising of people to believers and just put a doubt in their minds. Is this noble, right, honorable, praiseworthy etc.
The father tries to get Colton’s account as word for word accurate as if Colton were telling you about it. It’s not going to be completely theologically in line with LCMS doctrine because one its coming from a 4 year old, and two Todd Burpo isn’t from the LCMS. To a 4 year old looking forward to going be with Christ and to be able to see His Dad (God) can be equated to looking forward the final resurrection. The final battle between Christ and Satan is mentioned along with who wins in the end. To me this is a mention of God’s ultimate plan for salvation. Burpo does in numerous places compare Colton’s account to scripture. I don’t think the point of the book was to teach theology but to give a testimony. I also think most people are drawn to it for comfort, as I am. That they will not only be able to meet Christ and God physically face to face one day, but will also be reunited with their loved ones who have passed before us.
From Jeff Gibbs (who still hasn’t figured out how to comment):
Dear Megan:
Thank you very much for your comment. Let me say again, in no way am I questioning Rev. Burpo’s love for his son, or his sincere motives in writing. The entire purpose of the book, however, is to teach and to proclaim truth. Nowhere in the book does the author say, “Now, you have to take my son’s words with a grain of salt; after all, he’s just a child and he might have gotten it wrong.” The book’s entire premise is that the important thing is dying and going to heaven. If Rev. Burpo had wanted to remind his readers that the great hope of the Bible is the return of Jesus on the Last Day, he would have done so.
Obviously, the book is not “theology” in one sense. But just as every Christian—including you and me—is a theologian, so also the purpose of a testimony is to testify—to the truth.
The Bible, as far as I know, is silent on the question of whether, in the interim state (that is, in heaven) we will know one another. The closest things to this I can think of is the fact that the living creature and the 24 elders are praising God and the Lamb in Revelation 4-5, and the parable of Lazarus the Rich Man (Luke 16). The Bible is virtually silent on what it is like to be a human being whose redeemed body and soul have been separated from each other.
I, too, am seeking comfort in the face of death. Three members of our small congregation have died in the last two weeks. My aged father is in the hospital; thankfully, now, he seems to be improving. God’s plan is for us to be fully human, body and soul together. I am very encouraged by Paul’s promise that those who have died in the Lord before us will rise first, and as he says, “Therefore, comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess 4:18
Thanks for the review! I’ve had three or four people at church ask me if I’ve read the book, and one person even offer to buy me a copy. This is a good opportunity to gently lead people toward a more biblical understanding of eternal life.
I am with John on this one. I am thankful to have this review, and point people towards this review. Like John, I’ve had various people ask me about this book while on vicarage (and someone bought it for me as a gift). One thought:
There was something else I found quite troubling about this book. I can’t find the page numbers, but it went like this: “Boy if we could just believe like a child…get past all of these big words like ‘justification,’ ‘propitiation,’ etc and keep the Gospel simple and childlike. Jesus died so when I die can see his dad.”
Dr. Gibbs (or Dr. Kloha mediating for Dr. Gibbs), perhaps you could comment more on Burpo’s understanding of how he is interpreting Jesus’ “believe like child?” I see a law/gospel confusion in this approach that is not good for people who are filled years of life experiences, sins, and doubts that weigh heavy.
Pardon the grammatical revision:
Dr. Gibbs (or Dr. Kloha mediating for Dr. Gibbs), perhaps you could comment more on Burpo’s understanding of how he is interpreting Jesus’ “believe like a child?” I see a law/gospel confusion in this approach that is not good for people who are filled with years of life experiences, sins, and doubts that weigh heavy.
Matt: You have put your finger on an important mistake in the book; there was not space in the review for it, but you’re absolutely right. Rev. Burpo makes the modern mistake of thinking that “turn and become like children” (Matt 18:2-3) means to be someone like this: “lack of guile,” “lack of an agenda,” “unself-conscious honesty,” “to be willing to accept reality and call things what they are, even when it is hard” (pages 74-75). This is the farthest thing from what Jesus meant! In the Old Testament, in ancient Judaism, and in the Greco-Roman world, children are not positive role models. They should be cared for and trained, of course. But this is precisely because they are helpless, unwise, irrational, ignorance, and dependent. This is what it means to “become like children”–only people are are like this . . . and who acknowledge it . . . will enter the reign of heaven on the Last Day. Jeff G.
[...] studies at Concordia Seminary has written an excellent review of this book, which can be found here:http://concordiatheology.org/2011/05/heaven-is-for-real Comments are [...]
My reason for reading this book was strictly because one of my grandsons, a public high school junior, gave it to me to consider after he wrote a book report for class. (This followed a report on Grapes of Wrath). What a wonderful opportunity to share faith, be challenged in my own relationship with Jesus, and connect even more with the younger generation we are losing from our churches. I have been blessed to be a Christian (LCMS variety) for 70 years, and I fear that sometimes our knee-jerk rigidity frightens people away from God’s Family.
demotivator…
[...]Concordia Theology » Heaven Is For Real[...]…
Thanks for a great review, and for the emphasis on pastoral approach as well. I’m wondering what resources, if any, we have (other than, you know, the Bible) to offer in place of this book? Are there any good books on dying and heaven out there? Anybody want to translate the Ars Moriendi?
Hello Matt — As it happens, we just finished recording another “In the Word” video-based Bible study on 1 Corinthians 15 and the resurrection, featuring Dr. Gibbs. Maybe we’ll have it out before Christmas, or if not that soon sometime in January. Dr. Gibbs also has several articles in the Concordia Journal on preaching the resurrection at funerals. You can access them online by following these instructions:
http://concordiatheology.org/2011/06/how-can-i-find-older-issues-of-the-concordia-journal/
Just log in and search for “Jeffrey Gibbs”
Might not be exactly along the lines you were thinking of, but it belongs to works referred to as “ars moriendi” : http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Consolations-Trials-Oppress-Stuggle/dp/1606086642.
For Matt, and others: N. T. Wright has a very small book (76 pages) titled, “For All the Saints? Remembering the Christian Departed” (Morehouse, 2003) which is extremely helpful and (not surprisingly) very readable. One could give it to an interested lay person, or use it as a short class discussion resource.
Sadly like all critics that pull apart movies and books I find that unless God himself says this book is wrong then I will feel this article is just a humans opinion. We as human beings unless you have been to heaven really do not know what to expect and everything you know is in the Bible. I know that if we do not view heaven as a true believer then we question everything. I read the book and sometimes when a book makes you feel good when so many things dont maybe just leaving it alone and just letting others look forward to heaven would be a great idea. To many humans on this earth always have to question everything when God said we are not to judge but so many do and so many analyze everything and make statements. We are all human and only God knows the truth and God says if something that isnt wrong makes us happy then we should be thankful.
Dear Pam:
Thanks very much for writing. It would be helpful to me if you could be more specific where you see my review has made a mistake. None of us is above error; as you said rightly, only God is! God does ask us, however, to test the spirits and see whether they are from God (1 John), and the only way we can do that is by reference to the Scriptures themselves.
Am I the only one who has a problem with the idea of teaching children that heaven is like a revolving door where people can come and go for some undisclosed reason is dangerous? I do not think that it is healthy, much less biblically sound to suggest that if one fails to get it right the first time, we get sent back for “overs.”
Dear Mike:
You make an obviously good point. As far as I know, there is nothing in the Bible that suggests that this is a “normal” thing. We do have, of course, people who died and were brought back to this mortal existence–Lazarus comes to mind (John 11). But we have no reports of any “reports about heaven.” Thanks very much for writing!
On the mark!
It facinates me (actually scares me) how often I have to teach and then re-teach what our hope is as Christians. Good thing I love being a pastor!
Thank you so much Dr. Gibbs for the review. Sorry I am so late to the discussion.
It seems to me the two scriptures in the Bible that are most often overlooked have to do with logs (our own sin/spiritual blindness) in our eyes while throwing stones (false or accurate accusations) at others. The most conveniently quoted scripture is about “testing the spirits.” However, it was not meant to become a license to pass judgment on others. I’ve read the book. Are you 100% confident in your criticism of a small child who obviously loves Jesus? Do you realize how many children have come to salvation because of this book. How many have come to salvation from reading your books? I LOVE what Paul preached to those standing around pointing fingers…”But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this, I rejoice! Phil. 1-18. I’ve been to Seminary, worked with children for many years, and wouldn’t dare rob this beautiful child of his sincere testimony. Yes, we are to test the “Spirits.” I haven’t seen one Christian friend led astray by this book. In fact, I’ve seen just the opposite; it has produced good fruit and strengthened their faith. “…And you shall know them by their fruits…”
Dear Denise,
Thank you for writing. I think that if you will re-read my little review, you will find that I did not call into question either the faith or the sincerity of anyone. I did, however, attempt to weigh the claims of the Book against the claims of Scripture itself. I’d be happy to hear how you think that I erred in that attempt.
I might also add that our Lord’s words, “And you shall know them by their fruits” applies to Christ’s warning against false prophets (Matthew 7). The fruit of a prophet is his (or her) teaching, and so the Lord there is actually directing us to test the spirits, that is, examine the content of a ‘prophets’ teaching.
I just finished reading the book after getting several reports on it from members of my Vicar congregation. I believe Dr. Gibbs is simply pointing out that we should not be elevating the claims and acts of personal experience as an alternative to scripture. While I have know idea what the “fruits of the spirits” of this child’s prophecy are I do believe that the child and his father elevate the existence of “heaven as our home” to a place that is not scriptural. The idea that Christians came to simply die and be with Jesus completely negates Paul when he says, “21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.” Philippians 1:21-24) Even though we will be with Jesus one day our lives are much more than a waiting room for death but a place where we continue the work of Christ. We should also be wary of the idea that death is the last stop. Jesus does not say “I am the death and the death he who believes in me will die.” He states 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[a] Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,” (John 11:25) This is to say that when we start believing that death is the end and not a new body in the resurrection we lose a sense of Christ’s mission. He defeated death so we could not so we would be defeated by death. Christ defeating death is a big deal. Denise I agree that that book has had a huge impact on Christians but as someone who went to Seminary I think you would agree that we should be cultivating in our congregations the beauty of Christ and his mission as much more important than our own personal experiences. In order to preach the full beauty of this mission we must weigh all theological claims and measure them against the Bible which is our standard. If I spoke in err then forgive me but I believe that Christ resurrected is the point of his death and when you have that understood you faith is only more full and beautiful. Dr. Gibbs if I miss spoke I apologize.
Sorry my grammar and spelling is so horrendous I was in a hurry.
Shane,
I like the point that you make about death. As Paul says, death is the last enemy that Christ will one day overcome (1 Cor 15). And there’s a lot connected to this truth. It means that we should not think of our bodies as somehow unimportant, nor of the creation as a place that we are just supposed to leave behind.
In the Book we read that Colton Burpo states, “The man had to have Jesus in his heart…he had to know Jesus, or he can’t get into heaven”
How many people do you think have read this, in this best seller, that may not have read it before? or were reminded of it?
It is stating in very simple terms that Jesus is the way to the Father.
The theif on the cross did not meet all sorts of requirements, when Jesus said to him, today you will be with me in paradise.
He simply said “we’re guilty, and He’s innocent…Lord remember me”
Then Jesus turned and spoke that blessed assurance to the theif.
(“I’m guilty” in need of a saviour & “He’s innocenet” saviour Identified)
The blessed assurance that “Pops” the grandpa was in heaven, because he had confessed Jesus was also clear. The evidence of the
baby sister (miscarried) was also proof that the child was saved
in heaven…what a beautiful communication for those
who’ve made the mistake of aborting, but still assured that the
small creation was in heaven. And perhaps a prompt that they would seek Jesus as the saviour bridge for them to make that wonderful
reconnection.
All of the theological training, debating, disecting, all the while
God is using the wonderful account of a child to evangelise, draw
and remind a dying world, He is avaliable, that He loves them, and Jesus is the way.
For those who can’t see this in the book, I’ll be praying for you.
Sincerely
Kel Slater – Santa Rosa, CA
Dear Kel,
Prayers are always welcome.
Professor Gibbs,
As you are quickly becoming the “go-to” guy on these matters within our church body, can I ask for a very brief review of the book “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn?
I tried reading it a couple years ago, but gave up after finding it to be highly speculative. It seemed to have all of the answers, or seemed to be reading too much into the Scriptures. So I gave up reading it. (I know, quitter!)
Well, now, one of my relatives is distressed over this book being studied at her home church and I am without a competent answer at this time.
If you had just a few sentences to offer by way of “yea” or “nay”, it would be a good start.
Thanks,
Pastor Kevin Yoakum
CSL class of 98 (just fyi, not expecting that you remember!)
Dear Kevin,
Whether I’m a go-to guy is up for others to decide. If someone woud let me know, at least I could then resign from the position . . . .
I did read portions of Alcorn’s book some years ago. I found it to be a mixture of things that I thought were biblical, and others that I thought were not. So, I’m not sure I would use it in a study–I just don’t know enough to have an strong opinion. I do recall what seemed to be a confusion with the book as to the term “heaven.” Sometimes it seemed to refer to our souls’ rest with Christ between death and the second coming. At times, it seemed to refer to the new creation, remade when Christ comes again. Sorry not to be more helpful. Blessings to you!
[...] view of hope is introduced by referring to the book Heaven is For Real, among other sources. I offered a review of that book here on Concordia Theology, and having read it I know that Meacham’s description is accurate. The hope of Christians, [...]
I just finished reading this book for my book club at the local library. I am not writing to discuss what I think of the book, but more about the attention God is receiving because of it. What thrills me is how much discussion this book has created about Jesus. We live in the days when it is popular to remove God from our lives, when we remove the word God out of the “Pledge of Allegience” and anywhere else we can, and it is wonderful to see there is still an interest in knowing God. Just reading through all these posts, and other website postings, provides evidence that we aren’t ready to let go of God, no matter what the media may want to make us all think.
Sharon,
Yes, many people still have an openness to “god” or some idea about Him. So, if in that context of openness, we can share Christ, crucified, risen, and returning, that’s a very good thing!
[...] look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world Greek, “age” to come.”via Concordia Theology » Heaven Is For Real.Also, if you are so inclined, listen to this interview with Pr. Tom [...]
I wonder how this book would have been received had the young lad reported that he had gone to heaven, and met Mohammed. Most Christians would have instantly refuted it as false, made up, fabricated. Same innocent young man, same type story, completely different results.
Ed,
Thanks for writing, and you make an interesting point. And surely, Christians would have rejected such claims as you imagine because they would have measured the claims against the Scriptures themselves. That’s all that counts, in a way–do the claims agree with the Scriptures?
Thanks so much, Pastor/Professor Gibbs! It is amazing to me to see how easily agitated people become when something that has touched their heart’s strings is “attacked” (from their point of view)… yet seem to have no obvious issues when God’s Word is being undermined. For all of those who are giving this book credit for others coming to “saving faith”, I would remind all of you that the promise we have is that the Spirit works through the Word. Whether or not the Spirit chose to work through this other means, I cannot say for certain… but I AM certain that if ANYONE comes to faith, it is God’s work, not Colton’s (or anyone else’s). To Him belongs the glory. That is always the issue with Satan: trying to get glory for himself and using whatever means possible to lead others astray- even those things which appear as “angels of light”. Let no one forget that all of those things which “no one” could know- yet were revealed to Colton- WERE known by the demonic spirits which have been around since the Fall. Only God is omniscient, but the demons have been around for over 6000 years- and they know lots of stuff that “no one else could possibly know”, because they were “there” when it happened.
How much, if any, of Colton’s experiences were “real”- no one can say. And, as wonderful as those experience may be for those who read about them, I would hope that that book would never take the place of THE BOOK (and all of it’s words of wisdom, truth, law & Gospel). No other book should bring us joy, comfort or peace like that Book does.
Jay,
Thanks for your comments. You are right, and remind us all that the Scriptures, centered in Jesus for us all, are our only norm and source of truth. One of my fellow teachers here said to me a long time ago, “We’re supposed to be interested in the things that the Bible is interested in–not other things.” There’s real wisdom in that. To have other questions isn’t wrong, but if God doesn’t give answers, then we’re supposed to be satisfied with what He does give us.
It amazes me how many Christians are willing to completely put aside theological accuracy for the sake of feeling “comfort” from a story. I can’t definitively speak on whether or not this child’s account is genuine, but the parable of the rich man and Lazarus certainly comes to mind. Christ explicitly stated there is a divide between the physical and the spiritual and that the words of scripture are sufficient to establish the consequence of sin as well as the gift of faith. What use is “comfort” or “confirmation” in your faith if it is predicated on a lie? This book doesn’t encourage devotion to God for the sake of his greatness, it encourages devotion to getting to Heaven.
I’ve always been disgusted with accounts such as these as well as charismatic preachers that prey on emotions to con well-intentioned albeit gullible people into a false sense of devotion. The word of God, the creation of God, and the plan of God stand on their own. I’m all for extra-biblical aides in developing a better understanding of the word of God, but extra-biblical revelation is a completely different matter.
The fact of the matter is, it’s fairly simple for a child to imagine heaven and relay that vision to his father, and his father’s eagerness to hear his account may have encouraged quite a bit of embellishment. I would go so far as to speculate this father may be including embellishments of his own for the sake of a better story. I understand why so many people accept this account without question. It’s a feel good narrative, it exudes charm and childlike personality, but it severely lacks theological soundness, and that can’t be ignored.
Dear Otis,
Yes, ideas have consequences, which is why we have to evaluate and try to align our thinking with God’s revelation. I don’t know anything about the motives of the author; I have to assume the best. But your final statement is spot on–”it severely lacks theological soundness, and that can’t be ignored.”
Thanks for writing.
Jeff Gibbs
http://bible.cc/matthew/18-3.htm New International Version (©1984)
And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Dear Robin,
I’d be interested to know more of what you are thinking when you reference Matthew 18:3.
In Christ,
Jeff Gibbs
Very good review. Addresses some of the concerns I have. Evangelicalism has this problem with exalting what sounds good and feels good over and above what is true and what is right. And the problem is that, when it comes from the lips of a child, we hate to sound critical and mean-spirited. But this child could just as easily have contrived this as being part of his imagination.
One thing is for sure: it is dangerous to take as doctrine that which the Bible does not speak of. When God closes His mouth, we are to inquire no further.
Dear Friend Dean,
Thanks for your post. I agree with your comments. There are (at least) two trends in North American society at work here, perhaps. The smaller one is the way we hold up children as positive role models. By contrast, the ancient world (including Jesus in his ministry) did nothing of the sort; children were regarded weak and foolish and dependent, and, well, that’s how we must enter the reign of heaven (Matt 18:3). The larger problem is the democratization of knowledge, especially religious knowledge. It is is essentially a private matter or a matter of private experience, then there’s no way to test it. I like your statement: “When God closes His mouth, we are to inquire no further.”
Jeff Gibbs
I teach middle schoolers and have for a little more than 15 years, but have no degree. I have been in a Bible study for 21 years, but that’s about it, so that said….
Are we who love the Lord, and want others to know the love, the hope, and yes the struggle of trying to live a better life, with Christ in our hearts, not willing to see in the face of one innocent, the wonderful possibilities through the sacrifice of Jesus? Why couldn’t it be just like Colton said it was? The message wasn’t about it’s ok if I die in the street, it was about, “he has to have Jesus in his heart or he can’t go to Heaven”.
Those who write on these pages, please go to the videos and watch the boy as he is asked questions. What do you see? When he tells his Mom that the man who died has to have Jesus to go to Heaven with intensity in his voice, so much so that she has to walk him away from the service, that is the lynchpin of the book. Have any of you ever heard words like that from a kid not yet 4?
Does a 4 year old describe Heavenly scenes as this one did? What of Jesus robes, why John, but of course he would be there. Gabriel in place by the throne, what a wonderful picture that makes.
How does a boy know what his Dad and Mother were doing while he was in surgery? His father hadn’t discussed even with his wife that he’d been praying in a small room, she didn’t know where he’d been, the boy was in surgery, how did he know?
He hadn’t met his great grandfather, isn’t it wonderful that one of his ancestors was there with him. Remember he’s three, but knew his name.
Why would a kid that age walk in and say, “Jesus used the doctor to heal me, you need to pay him”? He was afraid of that doctor, crying when he even came into his room, but moreover, no kid who’s almost 4 does that! Paying a bill, what’s a bill when you are 4?
How does he know about a sister who was miscarried before he was born, a sister who was never talked about? Remember his Mom said there was no way to explain to a little one that a baby he never knew about had died in her tummy.
I am with kids every week, they don’t say things like little Colton said, and mine are from 11 to 14. Are you overlooking the obvious, getting bogged down in the weeds, while a miracle is being testified to in the cornfields of Nebraska.
You guys are debating the Bible, and I love it too, but Pharisees did that while Jesus was out healing folks. Yes, they were wondering if he’d done it on the right day, had he sinned in the process. The message I read in this book was that God is real, that Jesus is the only way to him, that a little boy saw the urgent necessity of having Jesus spirit in people, what an amazing thing to know at that age. We are currently taking our church kids through the beginnings of confirmation…….They don’t talk like this kid. They don’t have that urgency about anything outside of their cell phones and fun/dinner.
I urge you to look beyond the critical analysis and walk down to the youth departments of your churches and stay awhile. Listen to the small voice that has given so many a new vitamin shot of hope. Colton is now what, 12-13 and he’s still telling the story the same way. The miracle of testing that came to his family was almost Job like, and the testing of a young man who is still in the ministry, the story that unfolded not all at once, but over months, giving pause to the parents time after time, doesn’t that ring true to you who are parents?
Remember the nurses coming in after the surgery one or two at a time, never really saying anything, just looking at little Colton, the doctor who did the same? Would they say they saw a miracle in the boy’s mere survival?
Folks, we are in the Lord, do we stamp on miracles or hold them up as events that God is still doing everyday. This one more dramatic, but it comes at a time when America needs strength. It is a good read and a wonderful God sent word to me. I don’t have to have this little book to accept Jesus, I did that many years ago, but I love the “vitamin J” shot I have been given in the telling of this story.
Oh, how is God’s word undermined?
You have to have Jesus,.
To be absent from the body is to present with the Lord.
We are loved by our God?
I don’t get the undermined point?
Dear Steve,
Thank you for writing. Truth is not determined by our experience, although our experience can affirm (or contradict) the truth. For Christians, spiritual truth is determined by Christ Jesus, who is the Truth, and by the Scriptures that are rooted in Him. Where the Scriptures speak, we can speak. Where they are silent, we should not speak, nor make claims.
My father, a devout Christian, died in December. Because of the Scriptures, I believe that he is at peace, resting with Christ, because death can’t separate him from Christ. But God’s plan for my father to be whole and holy and fully human, body and soul–that plan has been interrupte and attacked by death. And death will not have the last word.
The great hope of the Scriptures is the return of Christ, not dying and going to heaven. I will contine to wait for the day of Christ return. If I die before that happens, God has that covered, too.
Jeff Gibbs