To say heaven is for real is a marvelous part of a Christian’s statement of faith. Yet, sometimes, as a reflection of our depravity, we doubt and make our faith statement into a question: Heaven is for real? This reminds us that Satan still seeks to wage war against our God and Savior. Throughout Scripture we are given glimpses of heaven. Sometimes this is presented as a vision or sometimes as a description of a special visit.

Old Testament writers Isaiah, Daniel, and Ezekiel vividly write of their visions. Perhaps more familiar to us are the New Testament writings of Paul’s Damascus road experience [Acts 9]. Subsequently Paul writes of a certain man who was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible things [II Corinthians 12]. And, in Revelation John testifies in great detail to everything he saw that is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. The New Testament is replete with references to what God’s chosen ones can expect heaven to be. We are presented with descriptions of heaven as the dwelling place of God (Creator, Redeemer, and Comforter). Jesus frequently told His followers about heaven through parables. But there are few recorded instances of people being given glimpses of heaven and then presenting what they saw for those of us still living.

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL written by the Rev. Todd Burpo presents the gripping story of this pastor’s son having a critical surgery from which few thought he would survive. In 2003 Colton Burpo was 3 years and 10 months at the time of his operation for a burst appendix. His health—his life itself—was so precarious that no one could be sure if this were to be the moment of death. He survived the surgery with what appeared to be a miraculous recovery. All glory was given to God by this solidly yet humble Christian family. About four months after the surgery Colton started making spontaneous remarks about his conversations with Jesus during his visit in heaven. Without coaxing Colton would describe heaven with complete correlation to Scripture. Additionally Colton’s descriptions added details that in no way contradicted teachings of the Bible. As the months went by and occasional conversations unfolded, parents Todd and Sonja began to realize that something extraordinary had happened to their son during that traumatic surgery experience. Not wanting to lead or color Colton’s remarks, they kept this to themselves. Along the way they continued to compare Colton’s remarks about his conversations with Jesus on that visit to heaven with a study of the Scriptures. Colton would say: “Jesus told me…”. Sometimes Colton would make reference to something he saw but on which the Bible is silent—but even these would be within possibility.

One experience was particularly poignant. As a five-year-old Colton was on a trip to the store with Sonja when he darted into the parking lot traffic. His mother proceeded to grab him and begin scolding him about the dangers. To which Colton replied, “If I die then I would be with Jesus again.” That left the parents wondering just how to deal with a child who has absolutely no fear of death. Another time, Colton was asked do you know why Jesus died on the cross. He answered, “Well, Jesus told me He died on the cross so we could go see His Dad.”

Through the following months and years Todd and Sonja sought to verify what was unfolding in their son’s observations. He would speak as an eye witness in describing his heavenly experience with complete humility and without guile. Todd says that he “is not one of those preachers who camps out on extensive end-times prophesy” but he was intrigued by these occasional glimpses into what our heaven experience will someday be. Todd and Sonja waited seven years before going public with this extraordinary family story seeking to watch how this all came together. In many ways this is still a typical Christian family with typical experiences. But, in other ways this is a family which has had their ups and downs of health crises but with these memories of a special way in which the Lord has strengthened their faith and witness.

While HEAVEN IS FOR REAL is appropriate for most readers from middle school age to senior citizens, the more mature among us would probably be led to contemplate what constitutes the moment of death. What is mortality or that end-of-life defining moment? And, what of the morality of some end-of-life actions? The exact moment of death remains a mystery debated within both the religious and medical communities. And, of course, we ponder what exactly lies beyond. Meanwhile, the recurring thought comes to the reader: God asks each of us, “And, what did my Son do for you?” We should be spurred on in this life to give glory to God for what He and His Son Jesus did for us.

This book is written by the Rev. Todd Burpo, a Nebraska pastor, and the editor is Lynn Vincent, a staff writer for World magazine. Both have excellent credentials of integrity. Todd and Sonja are frequently asked how this entire experience has changed them. Todd immediately replies, “I continue to preach and teach only what I find in Scripture.” We know that Scripture is complete and sufficient for our salvation—and visions must be consistent with the Bible. But this certainly gives us all a lot to ponder and is a great discussion starter. The reader might also reflect on other visions throughout history. Several of the world’s major religions claim to have begun with visions. How authentic were other such events? Were such revelations from God or from the Evil One?

~ Review by Dan F. Bloem

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent [published by Thomas Nelson Inc. of Nashville; copyright 2010]. A copy is in the Trinity library.