Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo (Book Review)

Everyone who reads “Heaven is for Real” needs to get out a Concordance and check everything this child says against Scripture. I myself haven’t done this yet, but I was struck by Colton’s claim that people in heaven have wings. There are no Scriptures describing wings on the redeemed in heaven. For example, Luke 9:28-33 describes Moses and Elijah appearing and talking with Jesus in the presence of the disciples Peter, James and John. These disciples recognized Moses and Elijah but I’m quite sure they would have thought they were angels if they’d had wings. Scripture makes it clear that people who are saved will have resurrected human bodies-just as Jesus does. We will reign with Jesus for a thousand years when Jesus returns to earth. It’s highly unlikely we will have wings. Also, in 1973 I had a dream in which I believe Jesus came to me. He did in fact have breathtakingly beautiful deep blue eyes-eyes filled with love and compassion. But He did not have a “rough but kind looking face.”
He was perfect in beauty. He spoke with the deepest, most powerful, authoritative voice I ever heard. He told me “Repent NOW, turn from your sin NOW.” I won’t go into it any more here as that isn’t my intent. But one day I found in Psalm 27:4 something that excited me concerning what Jesus looked like in my dream. David wrote “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the BEAUTY of the Lord” emphasis mine). The Jesus I saw was perfect in beauty as David the Psalmist also describes. He looked nothing like the Jesus in that little boy’s book. There’s no description of Jesus riding a horse with a rainbow-colored mane in the Book of Revelation. I’m also concerned about this child saying Jesus refused to give him a sword because it would be too dangerous. There IS no danger in heaven. And not once does his pastor father encourage people to read the Bible. Why would people believe an account of a ten- year-old seven years after an event, but not the Bible, written by people with first-hand accounts like Jesus’ disciples? I was also disturbed by a television interview in which the little boy was asked what was being done with the money made by the book. He seemed a little nervous, and said probably some was being put aside for his education, then he asked his father what was being done with the money. His father gave a vague reply about “helping the orphans.” What orphans? I’m involved with an organization through which I’m privileged to sponsor underprivileged children. If I wrote an experience about my dream and all the circumstances surrounding it, all proceeds would go to this organization, and I wouldn’t hesitate to say what it was. I feel many red flags with this story, and it makes me sad that people are so excited about it, but not what Jesus Himself says in the Gospels.

I am Karen Reid, and I would love to tell Sheila Cook my dream. It was an awesome experience and I remember every vivid detail, unlike any other dream I’ve ever had. My e-mail is Karena74r@gmail.com.