"Heaven is for Real" book by Todd Burpo

[yellow8yellowM]

Problems with the story:

1. Everybody in heaven has wings–some bigger than others.

In all of the Catholic artwork and stained glass images in Catholic churches I’ve seen of St. Michael the Archangel and other angels, they definitely have wings.

In the book, everybody has wings, not just the angels.

 

[crcath]

In the book, everybody has wings, not just the angels.

I don’t find that real unusual coming from a 4-year old’s perspective or memory, but that’s just my thought. Could even be some “proof” that his Dad didn’t change the boy’s account to fit his own beliefs and put into the book.

 

[Lucky_Scrunchy]

Hello,

Regarding the speech capabilities of little ones & what God can make happen:

, “Tina, it’s okay. He’s in heaven.” When I came to pick him up, she grabbed my shoulders and nearly shook me as she related the story…"

I had a similar experience. I was mourning the loss of my father and contemplating, out loud, the thought of spending the rest of my life, 10, 20, 30 more years without him. And my ten year old goes “but mom, time goes by real fast”. Also, my ten year old had a dream, I can’t remember if this happened prior or right after my dad passed… he dreampt that I was standing in his room looking at him and my guardian angel was standing next to me with his arm around me. I took that to mean “consolation” from my angel.

My little four year old says things every once and a while pertaining to him being in heaven.

 

[jesuspsr]

I was recommended to read this book by a friend of mine. I read to many not so good reviews about it from Kindle readers, so, I didn’t get. I could cut and paste some to give examples, but thier just to long.

 

[crcath]

I was recommended to read this book by a friend of mine. I read to many not so good reviews about it from Kindle readers, so, I didn’t get. I could cut and paste some to give examples, but thier just to long.

I would recommend getting it from the local library if you’re interested in reading it and what it has to say. (As a Catholic, I found it very inspiring and interesting.) Through the library, it doesn’t cost you anything, and you’re actually getting some value back from your tax dollars spent on the library!

 

[EnglishTeacher]

I’d like to read this book. Can anyone post more details about what he said about Mary, angels or saints?

The only thing I remember the book saying about saints is that the little boy told his dad that Jesus had a cousin who was “really nice.” The father figured that the boy was referring to St. John the Baptist.

 

[Charlotteartist]

I just read the book and thought it was very convincing.

Here’s Colton on Youtube talking about his experiences; he seems very sincere to me:

youtube.com/watch?v=hhT36Dizo2s

 

[ajecphotos]

Halfway through the book. It is interesting but not finished it yet and already it is inspirational but also worth being cautious about!

I would love to think it is all true and they are not in it to make a quick buck!

 

[Papix2]

Regarding the book and movie Heaven Is For Real. The pastor that wrote the book is a Wesleyan pastor (Wesleyans broke off from the Methodist denomination over the slavery issue and were involved in the underground railroad and the freeing of the slaves in the US.) I am a new catholic but I grew up in the Wesleyan church and my father is a retired Wesleyan pastor. Some of the comments about the Wesleyan church being a strip mall church are uncalled for and insulting and not true. They are not strip mall churches and I would appreciate that you refrain from insulting other denominations. Its completely not Christ like and they are just as much Christians as Catholics. If you don’t know anything about other denominations please refrain from insulting them. We catholics have our faults as well. Keep in mind protestants are notorious for spouting off misinformation about the Catholic Church and we don’t like it but that doesn’t give us the right to spout off untrue comments about the Protestants.

Now regarding the book and movie. I have not read the book or have seen the movie but I am very skeptical of these things. Could the child have been prompted? He was obviously on medication for surgery and that could have affected his mind etc. I also wonder if there was no book or movie deal would the story be the same? I’m sure the family made a few million dollars. Maybe the kid is really telling the truth of what he saw or imagined but that doesn’t mean he was really in heaven. It very well could have been an incredible dream that he remembered.

 

[EasterJoy]

Regarding the book and movie Heaven Is For Real. The pastor that wrote the book is a Wesleyan pastor (Wesleyans broke off from the Methodist denomination over the slavery issue and were involved in the underground railroad and the freeing of the slaves in the US.) I am a new catholic but I grew up in the Wesleyan church and my father is a retired Wesleyan pastor. Some of the comments about the Wesleyan church being a strip mall church are uncalled for and insulting and not true. They are not strip mall churches and I would appreciate that you refrain from insulting other denominations. Its completely not Christ like and they are just as much Christians as Catholics. If you don’t know anything about other denominations please refrain from insulting them. We catholics have our faults as well. Keep in mind protestants are notorious for spouting off misinformation about the Catholic Church and we don’t like it but that doesn’t give us the right to spout off untrue comments about the Protestants.

Now regarding the book and movie. ** I have not read the book or have seen the movie** but I am very skeptical of these things. Could the child have been prompted? He was obviously on medication for surgery and that could have affected his mind etc. I also wonder if there was no book or movie deal would the story be the same? I’m sure the family made a few million dollars. Maybe the kid is really telling the truth of what he saw or imagined but that doesn’t mean he was really in heaven. It very well could have been an incredible dream that he remembered.

If you haven’t read the book, I’d refrain from making comments about the author or his family. Your questions do betray that you don’t know what you’re talking about. The child reportedly related details of the family’s whereabouts and other information that he could not have known. Medication will not do that. This happened quite some time after the incident.

It is by far the most likely that the incidents happened as written or else they are an intentional fabrication by the father. Because of the nature of what he relates and the gradual disclosures by the son that he puts into his account, this would be quite a stunt to pull off. He’d either be a sophisticated liar or else have lots of family members and members of his congregation who were willing to lie on his behalf. He does not argue that everyone ought to believe he is saying, but gives an account of why he has come to believe that his son’s experience was not merely the side effect of drugs or an overactive imagination.

Could you start a new thread, BTW? This one is very old. I would agree, however, if you were to ask the moderator to lock or remove this particular thread because of the inflammatory statements made about the Wesleyan churches. I agree that those would reflect badly on this forum, if allowed to remain. It is an old thread, but anyone using Google might turn it up.

 

[Winter_Warlock_1]

I have not read the book but have seen the movie. Thought the movie was very well done. I have read that some view the child’s description to be “too adult” – as in too lucid and mature. I have heard my nephews talk to my sister and she understood exactly what they were saying – and she translated for me. That could also be what the boy’s father has done also, so to discredit the child’s experience may be a bit premature.

And I also agree with Papix2, even though someone is of a different Christian faith does not mean that we should have a “holier than thou” attitude, and belittle their Church. How often as Catholics do we get upset when someone of another denomination attacks our Church or our way of showing our faith? We should just be happy and rejoice that the person in question has accepted Jesus and God into their life.

For when we start to examine how others worship and saying that they are not doing it right, are we not judging them?

I pray that God grants us All, regardless of our practices, peace. And accepts us All into His kingdom for all Eternity.

Winter

 

[Gliggle]

Its really odd, I read another one just like this, with another funny last name, Malarkey, except in that case the boy had a horrific accident and was left paralysed and also would sometimes also see the devil. I think I trusted this book more - because there was more suffering. I read them both in one plane trip for comparison; they were so similar it was eery. obviously a market for this stuff. I dunno shrug definitely the families are sincere i think. maybe yes maybe no to the visions. the second book was the boy who came back from heaven.

 

[EasterJoy]

Its really odd, I read another one just like this, with another funny last name, Malarkey, except in that case the boy had a horrific accident and was left paralysed and also would sometimes also see the devil. I think I trusted this book more - because there was more suffering. I read them both in one plane trip for comparison; they were so similar it was eery. obviously a market for this stuff. I dunno shrug definitely the families are sincere i think. maybe yes maybe no to the visions. the second book was the boy who came back from heaven.

It falls in the category of private revelation. We do not have to believe it or have an interest in it. We ought to refrain from rash judgment for or against it. We should not give it undue weight at the expense of teaching that comes to us by more normal means. We should not obsess about it because it is an experience of the supernatural. Remember what St. Paul wrote of those who convincingly pretended to be apostles, and yet taught false things: “…such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, who masquerade as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. So it is not strange that his ministers also masquerade as ministers of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” 2 Cor. 11:13-15

Judge private revelations mostly by the fruit they bear in you. If they do not bear good fruit, leave them alone, no matter how much anyone else might profit from them. The evil one lures the good with things that appear to be good, but things that are truly good will lead to greater virtue. I have even heard a priest say that it is possible to be drawn to attend Mass more frequently because the evil one hopes to lead us into neglect of our other duties. As he put it, to catch the good, the bait has to look good.

Above all, those who are not against us are with us, but reject any spirit that rejects the authority of the Church:

***Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. *This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world. You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They belong to the world; accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world, and the world listens to them. We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us, while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit. 1 John 4:1-6

Interestingly, without knowing what words to use, this little boy described Our Lord as having the stigmata, even though the father said he didn’t think his boy had ever seen Jesus depicted in that way, as this is typical of Catholic sacred art and his family is not Catholic. That does not make the revelation real, but it does indicate that perhaps the author does not have a sectarian flag to bear.

Take it for what it is worth, leave what is not profitable, and if possible maintain the most charitable interpretation of the author that the book leaves open.

 

[bmaj]

I thought the new movie based on the book was excellent, although the book had many more explicit details which were very eye-opening. Good acting in the movie. Both are definitely worth considering. Maybe there’s hope for the world after all with all the movies coming out lately related to God in our lives! Much better than most of the other horrible (and often immoral) movies Hollywood had been pumping out.

 

[GearXL]

I have a follow up question. Should we take this seriously? I mean, its not Catholic. But should we?

 

[Viki63]

I have a follow up question. Should we take this seriously? I mean, its not Catholic. But should we?

As EasterJoy said, “It falls in the category of private revelation. We do not have to believe it or have an interest in it. We ought to refrain from rash judgment for or against it. We should not give it undue weight at the expense of teaching that comes to us by more normal means.”
If it helps increase your faith, take it seriously. If not, leave it alone.
It’s clear that God is at work in the world, drawing people to him through many means. I find this book encouraging, but no one needs to believe it.

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