HEAVEN IS

             In his latest book, “The Glory of Heaven,” John McArthur challenges the growing number of first hand reports by people who have died and then been brought back to life, and described a trip into heaven or another world. His main thesis is that these stories do not harmonize with the Bible, our source of divine truth. He is especially hard on “Heaven is For Real,” published in 2010 and a best seller since. The story, told by Todd Burpo, is of Colton, his three year old son’s visit to heaven while undergoing surgery for a ruptured appendix.  McArthur rejects outright Colton’s descriptions of buddy-buddy paling around with Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit. Much of what Colton describes sounds to McArthur like scenes from some of the Bible picture books read to Colton since his birth.

            To McArthur most of the life after life or heavenly visits are focused on the individual involved, almost wholly leaving out the presence, majesty and glory of God as described in scripture. He is also troubled by the universalism taught in some of them.

            Although I have not been as critical as McArthur, I must agree with his observances. Still these experiences related by others have been a real blessing to me and an affirmation that something good is out there beyond this life. Paul claims in a visit to the highest heaven that he saw things which cannot be described with words. (2 Corinthians 12:1-6) Here lately describing in words seems to be no problem.

            But we do not claim testimonies of people who supposedly have been there and come back for our hope of heaven. Rather we claim the promise of Jesus who told us “I go and prepare a place for you… I will come again and receive you unto Myself;” (John 14:2-3)
 

Grace and peace.