Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back in Christian Support Group :)

Sep 12, 2011 Tim Chavel rated it it was amazing

This book is an encouragement to those that read it. I don't necessarily agree with everything that Colton shares about Heaven. The fact that he says he met his sister would was miscarried has to give hope to those like my wife and I who have lost a child to a miscarriage. Colton's description of Heaven does make Heaven more real to the reader. I would highly recommend that all believers read this book! Chapter 15, "Confession," reminded me again that God already knows our thoughts so when we pr ...more

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May 24, 2011 Lee Harmon rated it it was amazing

Very cute. You’re going to love this adorable little heaven-traveler.

Colton was nearly four years old when a near-death experience awarded him a tour of heaven. The book is written by his father, a minister. In heaven, Colton met his great grandfather, a sister who died in the womb, and the angel Gabriel. His story is convincing and childlike. If Colton brought back any one special message from heaven, it would be that Jesus really, really loves little kids.

We do learn a little about what heaven Very cute. You’re going to love this adorable little heaven-traveler.

Colton was nearly four years old when a near-death experience awarded him a tour of heaven. The book is written by his father, a minister. In heaven, Colton met his great grandfather, a sister who died in the womb, and the angel Gabriel. His story is convincing and childlike. If Colton brought back any one special message from heaven, it would be that Jesus really, really loves little kids.

We do learn a little about what heaven is like. Everybody has wings and little lights over their heads. There are lots of colors there, lots of animals of every kind (including a lion!), and lots of swords. The swords are for the angels to keep Satan outside the pearly gates.

The first person to greet new arrivals into heaven is Jesus, and Jesus had plenty time to chat with Colton. Know why Jesus had to be crucified? Says Colton, “Jesus told me he died on the cross so we could go see his dad.”

There is one theme in the book that troubled me a bit. After Colton’s return from heaven, he would become very apprehensive at funerals, desperate to know if the fellow who died had “let Jesus into his heart.” Because, he knew, otherwise the man wouldn’t be going to heaven. The author’s comment? Man, those Sunday school teachers sure are doing a good job! That picture made me a little sad; a four-year-old boy hardly needs that kind of religion.

Many of the images described by Colton can be found in the book of Revelation. That’s a bit problematic in one sense. As a scholar of Revelation and first-century Jewish beliefs, I assure you that Revelation was never meant to describe “heaven.” Several passages in Revelation make it very clear that the Bible’s final book relates the Jewish expectation of a general bodily resurrection and a new earthly kingdom. Why, then, would I afford Burpo’s book five stars if it differs from my interpretation of scripture? Because Christianity is a growing religion! Colton’s experience is contemporary; it is indicative of today’s image of heaven, not yesterday’s. Today, we anticipate a different kind of reward. We now imagine the pearly gates welcoming us to heaven instead of to a new world power centered in a rebuilt Jerusalem. Colton’s heaven is warm and friendly, far better than Revelation ever imagined. I vote we let Colton rewrite the end of the Bible. ...more

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Aug 16, 2014 John Barbour rated it did not like it

Shelves: christian-life, fiction

I read the book and saw the movie. I found that the movie told even a different story than the book. The movie, which was extremely boring and a lot worse than the book, portrayed a liberal Universalist message and a Pastor Burpo who struggled the whole time with doubts about the validity of heaven; even to the point of consulting a psychologist.

The book, by contrast, had a confident message that seemed to answer every question that modern American evangelicals ask with the answers that they wo I read the book and saw the movie. I found that the movie told even a different story than the book. The movie, which was extremely boring and a lot worse than the book, portrayed a liberal Universalist message and a Pastor Burpo who struggled the whole time with doubts about the validity of heaven; even to the point of consulting a psychologist.

The book, by contrast, had a confident message that seemed to answer every question that modern American evangelicals ask with the answers that they would want to hear. Are there animals in heaven- yes, Does God sit on a literal throne? – yes. Does Jesus sit on the right hand on a literal throne?- yes. Will we know our loved ones? – yes Is everyone young? – yes. Are babies in heaven? – yes yes – even those who were miscarriages ( this is a very important draw). and Jesus really really loves the little children. What about our parents and grandparents who never professed Christ ?– probably yes (see below). Should we tithe? – yes. Does God use doctors to heal us? – yes. Are we in the end times? – yes. In fact Pastor Burpo will fight with a sword or bow and arrow in the battle of Armageddon. Etc.

Of course, both the movie and the book had the odd things like Jesus on a multi-colored horse, the Holy Spirit is blue, and everyone had wings except Jesus. We even are given the secret into what Jesus looked like. The movie included the official picture of what Jesus looks like at the beginning and ending.

The big question is why has the church abandoned the authority of scripture to indulge in fantasies? Have you heard of David Platt, author of Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream? Here’s what he has to say. http://www.historyvshollywood.com/vid...

The book in contrast with the movie was very engaging and had a lot of good things in it. For that very reason it is more dangerous. It only takes a little poison in a good meal to kill you. It’s at least easier to dismiss the movie.

It seems to me, that what may have happened is that the Burpos gave too much credibility to their 4 year old and he played it for all it was worth. Then Lynn Vincent, a New York Times best selling author further embellished it to make big bucks for Thomas Nelson Publishing. Later, T.D. Jakes sees an opportunity to make even more bucks by making it into a movie and giving it a more liberal, universal message with a feminist twist to give it broader appeal.

There is an especially strong appeal with women who have miscarried. Colton sees his sister in heaven that he had never met because his mother, Sonya had miscarried before Colton was born. The other strong appeal is to those who wonder about parents or grandparents that were “good” people but did not, to their knowledge, express faith in Christ. Colton sees Pop, his dad’s grandfather of whom there were always questions about. Later it is confirmed. Pop had indeed raised his hand to accept Jesus at an evangelistic meeting. The movie bypasses this question altogether and gives the impression that everyone makes it.

In 1719 Daniel Defoe published a book that the public was convinced was a true story. Later on, it turned out to be a work of fiction. That book was Robinson Crusoe. It too, had a lot of good Christian messages and theology in it (much deeper and much more edifying than any modern work). The big difference is that in these modern ones all the answers are authoritatively given whereas in Crusoe, Defoe at least had the humility to have his protagonist wrestle with the issues. In Heaven is for Real, Colton Burpo becomes even more authoritative than even the apostle Paul who was not allowed to speak of the things he saw. Apparently Colton is allowed.

You should really see this video by Hank Hanegraaff of Christian Research institute. http://www.equip.org/video/heaven-is-...

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Aug 06, 2012 Lisa rated it liked it

Shelves: christian-non-fiction

Read how one little boy envisioned Jesus Christ and how it changed not only his life, but his family.

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Dec 29, 2011 Alicia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, owned

Everyone should read this book. The things the little boy knows are clearly from God. No one at his age would know these things. Very enlightening. My faith was strengthened after reading this book.

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