I ran across this article yesterday of a boy, now 17, that recants a story about going to heaven and back while being in a coma for two months as a 6 year-old.
Beyond the main headline, interesting enough in itself, the article mentions that the book this experience is based on has sold over a million copies and is part of the “heavenly tourism” genre.
I hadn’t heard that term before, tho a quick internet search tells the story nicely, there are a good number of books in this genre that sell millions of copies each documenting that author’s experience going to heaven and back. An article by Tim Challies, Heaven Tourism, summarizes the genre and many of the more popular books. Tim has some thoughts on heavenly tourism too, definitely worth a read.
I’ve always wondered about books like this and what value people find in them. We want to believe, sure, but are we trying to prove faith? If so, why?
If you are a good candidate for this option, you may want to consider having it done by a pdxcommercial.com viagra ordering professional and experienced urologist. Prepared with a vasodilator or PDE-5 inhibitor, Kamagra helps improving blood circulation in different organs in the body and cialis on line https://pdxcommercial.com/property/5311-5317-n-vancouver-st-portland/exterior-basement-stairs/ ultimately raises chances of attaining healthy erections in the bed. The yoga physical exercises involve a great deal cialis generico mastercard of stretching and bending which flexes a whole lot of the muscle tissue in the range. Storage Keep at room temperature in a dry place at around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius is favored a lot and an individual should neglect to keep it in above 30 or below 15 degrees Celsius. lowest price viagra
Perhaps this proof mindset helps explain the endless debates between religion and science. You’ve likely heard much of this, either as history or ongoing debate. The earth? Flat, some said. Sun revolves around the earth? True, and worth imprisoning those that disagree. Age of the earth? 10,000 years tops, and worthy of a museum that seeks to prove as much. And yet each time these views fall by the wayside as understandings from science become mainstream.
Thinking on this some Hebrews 11:1 comes to mind. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. No proofs here. Just hope. Just conviction. Ideally lived out into the world around us as we seek to do unto others as you’d have them do unto you. As someone who appreciates the blessings of science and sees that as one of many gifts from our Creator, for me, that is enough.
Love this!
I believe there is a distinction to be drawn between attempting to prove faith, on the one hand, and attempting to give reasons for faith, on the other. The former seeks to turn faith into understanding, the latter is faith seeking understanding. A faith which believes that God’s word is true will naturally expect to find the truth of those promises present throughout all of creation. So I agree with you completely that Christians should not be hostile to science, but should be the first to embrace it (albeit not uncritically).
That being said, I think that the many books which have been published in recent years on some experience of heaven, though financially lucrative, are finally efforts to turn faith into sight. But as you note, Hebrews 11:1 (among other places in scripture) clearly teaches that faith is a conviction of things unseen.
In many ways I think that this entire controversy is a reason for Christians to rejoice: this 6 year old boy (now 17) has confessed his sin to the world–because his faith is no longer in his own manufactured experience of heaven, but in the incarnate God who died and rose for him.
My friend, I love that you started this conversation. I too saw this on social media, and specifically interviews with this boy. One comment I heard was roughly, “regardless of whether I experienced this miracle, the Bible should be enough of you to believe.” What if it isn’t enough for some people? What if that is what is keeping them from said belief? I would say that social media to, specially Facebook, has not helped my faith in the least. I have some atheist friends that post some pretty hurtful articles, cartoons or other things that go past humor. I find a lot of it funny, but some really cuts deep. It questions my faith, which can be good, but other times my questioning evolves past doubt. Thanks for taking this one. I’m interesting in hearing more.