Editor’s Note: Originally published in January 2012, we thought we’d share Blue Ribbon News special contributor Patti Richter’s review of Heaven is for Real, as folks anxiously await the release of the movie.
Heaven is for Real—by Todd Burpo, with Lynn Vincent
A review by Patti Richter
“Over Five Million Copies in Print” provides sufficient reason to pick up the latest best-selling book on heaven—Heaven is for Real.
My own motivation came from Lynn Vincent’s name on the cover. Her previously well-crafted Same Kind of Different as Me had been a page-turner, and I was hoping for another one. She came through.
Colton Burpo came through in another way. He survived a badly ruptured appendix. The tow-headed boy appears on the cover of Heaven is for Real as a four-year-old. The story of his visit to heaven inspired the book—currently number one on the list of top-ten nonfiction books.
Colton’s father, Todd Burpo, is a small-town pastor in western Nebraska. He tells the story that began in 2003, with Colton near death after going from one hospital to another. Todd and Sonja Burpo waited in agony for the outcome of their son’s emergency surgery. But the harrowing time that brought a spiritual crisis for the young pastor turned into a source of hope for many.
Christians should already believe that heaven is real. But believing and seeing are different things. Standing on a precipice to view the Grand Canyon beats anything we might read about it.
Colton spoke of sitting in Jesus’ lap in heaven and seeing many others there. He reported things he couldn’t have known at his age. His words made his parents take a closer look at Bible verses they already knew. The scriptures confirmed Colton’s remarks as valid. The Burpo’s received many assurances—often in amazement—of the wonderful reality of heaven waiting for those who trust in Christ.
Heaven is for Real (2010 Thomas Nelson) won’t provide the answer to why God would allow anyone to visit heaven. But this account of a young boy’s experience will supply evidence to believe that God does allow it.
Blue Ribbon News special contributor Patti Richter works as journalist, writing news and feature stories, book reviews and more for many Christian publications. She lives in Heath with her husband Jim.
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