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Published on April 16th, 2014 | by Jaycen Saab

Heaven Is For Real: What you need to know

The growing trend of Christians getting their “theology” from television, theaters, and stories that tug on the heart are growing at break-neck speed.

Sadly, the Christian faith continues to be bamboozled by “feel-good” stories based more on folk tales and Hollywood stories than Scripture itself.  The growing trend of Christians getting their “theology” from television, theaters, and stories that tug on the heart are growing at break-neck speed.

The latest book-gone-movie about to lower Christians’ bank accounts and increase their confusion is based on Todd Burpo’s “Heaven Is For Real.”

So why the fuss?  Are we being picky? Or is there something more going on that has blind-sided Christians?

Are Christians so Scripturally-challenged that Hollywood fiction is immensely more effective to prick their hearts that the Gospel itself?

For answers, we’ve gathered some of the most trustworthy voices in the Christian church today to see their responses.  It is our hope and prayer that the following thoughts on such books as “Heaven Is For Real” will pull back the veil of Hollywood and expose it for what it is – deception.

John Piper explains the uselessness of such stories as they have no Scriptural backing whatsoever.  In fact, he plainly points out how such books even encourage us to participate in practices declared “abominable” by God (Isaiah 8:19, Deuteronomy 18:10-12). (Listen to further explanation here.)

David Platt explains from quoting John MacArthur’s book  The Glory of Heaven: The Truth about Heaven, Angels, and Eternal Life why we shoud not believe these types of books/movies.



 

Lastly, we hear from John MacArthur himself.  He takes a question from the audience regarding the story.  He focuses on Hebrews 9:27, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,” and continues from there.



 

Soli Deo Gloria!

JS


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