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.

SNAKES ON CAMPUS ?

              “Snakes on Campus!” I did a double take at the news account of snakes on the campus of Samford University. In the Bible the devil is portrayed as a serpent, a snake, in the Genesis account. Condemning the scribes and Pharisees, false teachers and hypocrites, Jesus calls them snakes and vipers. (Matthew 23:33) We call a shady, conniving or evil person a snake. A snake on campus conjures up the image of a false teacher, a professor who leads students astray.

                But the news article referred to real flesh and blood snakes, Copperheads, which have bitten two students this academic year. Now that is a serious problem. The administration assures us they are doing all they can to rid the campus of such creatures, but that the efforts are only partially effective because the campus is so wooded and ivy covered. In the meantime they warn students and others to be watchful and alert to such a danger.

                Of Samford I am confident there are fewer two legged snakes on its campus than on most state schools. Not that Samford is heaven on earth, or as Grady Nutt referred to Mississippi College as being “ten miles from the nearest known sin.” But as news sources report one in five coeds on state campuses being raped, mostly at drunken orgies, I once again thank God for Samford and similar Christian Universities. Being a graduate and familiar with the bible and theology professors, although I disagree with them on some points, I am confident there are no snakes teaching the Bible, and I have no knowledge of heresy being taught in any other disciplines.

                But even as we need to be watchful for snakes on campus we need even more to be aware of that other snake. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1Peter 5:8)

 (Note: My computer was out of service for several weeks. Glad to be back.)

Grace and peace.