Books & Movies: Heaven is for Real (Or Is it?)

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/hifrealmp3/" target="_blank"><strong>website.</strong></a></p><p>This podcast is a book review, examining Todd Burpo's Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2010), 162 pp.</p><p><strong>Why the story seems genuine</strong><br /><i>The credibility of the author is enhanced for three reasons.</i><br />1. The author (Colton Burpo's father) is a Christian pastor.<br />2. The writer is highly personable, and shares a lot from his own life.<br />3. He repeatedly emphasizes how he and his wife tried not to lead their little boy on--not to put words in his mouth.</p><p><i>Moreover, this is a subject nearly everyone is interested in.</i><br />1. The story resonates with popular culture: spiritual experiences are in, even if (for many) church and doctrine are out.<br />2. It's an easy read-- you can finish in a sitting.</p><p><strong>The medical context of the “visit to heaven”</strong><br />62 - During emergency appendix surgery the boy had an unusual experience, while under anesthesia. The visit lasted 3 minutes, according to the little boy, into which it sounds like a day’s activities were crammed.<br />78 - He did not die</p><p><strong>Miraculous knowledge?</strong><br />61 - He had knowledge of his parents praying for him, and of his mother being on the telephone, and their  being in separate rooms. He rose above his body – a common experience during surgeries and near-death experiences.<br />63 - Jesus had a rainbow horse. 65 - Jesus wore white clothes and a purple sash. 67 - There were red marks on his feet and palms. 145 - The boy later points out Jesus in a sketch by Akiane Kramarik, Prince of Peace (73). 73 - Jesus has light eyes and streaks in his hair, which appears to be permed (!).<br />He was with Jesus, whom he recognized, as well as the father (who was “really big”) and even the Holy Spirit. Jesus loves the little children.</p><p>72 - There