Becoming Heaven-Focused

This book was a breath of fresh air for a believer who feels presently stuck in an evil world and lacks the desire for an ethereal "otherness," convinced that he or she was created for something more. Alcorn presents the argument that our culture's view of Heaven, a cloud-lined, white-washed, harp-filled existence, leads believers to desire this world above the one we were created for. As Christians, we should be filled with hope and desire for Heaven, not dread or avoidance.

Though some might argue that Alcorn is too far-fetched or speculative in his perspective on Heaven, I am not sure that it is a problem. Most all of his speculations are based on Biblical citations, and a great number of them are presented precisely as such -- speculations. He openly admits that some of his book will be dead wrong, though he offers that some of it will be close, if not correct. I think his point in writing speculative thoughts is more so to start inciting thought about Heaven and dreaming of the greatness to come than to simply submit to the culture's view of Heaven. Our culture says we'll be bored and lonely and senseless in Heaven, but Alcorn desires for readers to challenge our culture. He presents a Heaven based on Scripture and filled with ideas I had never dreamed of for Heaven -- adventure, exploration, entertainment, friendships, etc.

Reading his book made me more anxious for Heaven than I have ever been. And if when I get there, I find that my beloved pet is missing or that I can't actually sit down and have a discussion with CS Lewis, I don't think I'll feel a void. The biggest theme in Heaven is that God is there. And more than anything else, He is what we desire and He will leave no room for boredom or loneliness. I would encourage everyone to read this book and grow a hunger for Heaven. After all, Christians are no Earthly good if they're not Heavenly-minded.