So recently I've heard a lot of good and bad things about Heaven is for Real. I've seen multiple pastors write blogs on the subject. David Platt speaks out against the movie saying that it is unbiblical and demonic. Perry Nobel has made it clear that he supports the movie and hopes that it reaches people for Christ. I started having mixed feelings and didn't know if I wanted to see the movie. When I saw the movie I noticed a lot of things that Platt says about the movie are not actually true.
One of the things that Platt states is that the bible clearly states that people do not die, go to heaven, and come back. He uses Proverbs 30:4 to support his stance:
"Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Whose hands have gathered up the wind?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is the name of his son?
Surely you know!"
and John 3:13 which says
" And yet no one has ever gone up to heaven, but there is One Who has come down from heaven—the Son of Man [Himself], [a]Who is (dwells, has His home) in heaven."
The FACT is though, that Colin Burpo never died... The book AND the movie clearly state that.
Near the end of the movie we see that Todd Burpo spoke to his church about his sons experience. When addressing his congregation he says that God SHOWED his son heaven. Isn't it true that God shows us things? Isn't it true that God gives us dreams and visions? A friend of mine once said that during a worship experience he SAW the ceiling open up to reveal heaven. He SAW angels praising God and saw the feet of Jesus. I believe we all have experiences like this. Do I believe that Colin Burpo ACTUALLY went to heaven? I'm not sure. God is capable of more than I could ever imagine. But, what I do believe is that God showed a scared little kid what Heaven was like to give him peace, to heal him, and to bless him.
God gives us dreams. I'll be the first to admit that God gives people prophetic dreams. Two years before my husband and I started dating God showed me in a dream that I was going to marry him. He also gave me a dream of my son before I was ever pregnant.
The other issue that I have with some people who are "against" Heaven is for Real is that people have an issue with the fact that a four year old had this experience.
Doesn't the bible clearly say
"And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (John 3:13) and doesn't the bible also say "Now they were also bringing [even] babies to Him that He might touch them, and when the disciples noticed it, they reproved them. But Jesus called them [the parents] to Him, saying, Allow the little children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for to such [as these] belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not accept and receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] shall not in any way enter it [at all]. (Luke 18:15-17)
Here are the facts.
1) Heaven is REAL
2) God speaks to us and shows us things
3) God uses children to speak into our lives
4) God wants us to BE like children.
Here are links to see Perry Noble's thoughts on Heaven is for Real. Here's also the trailer for Heaven is for Real and a video of Platt's teachings on Heaven is for Real.
http://perrynoble.com/blog/is-heaven-is-for-real-good-for-christianity
One of the things that Platt states is that the bible clearly states that people do not die, go to heaven, and come back. He uses Proverbs 30:4 to support his stance:
"Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Whose hands have gathered up the wind?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is the name of his son?
Surely you know!"
and John 3:13 which says
" And yet no one has ever gone up to heaven, but there is One Who has come down from heaven—the Son of Man [Himself], [a]Who is (dwells, has His home) in heaven."
The FACT is though, that Colin Burpo never died... The book AND the movie clearly state that.
Near the end of the movie we see that Todd Burpo spoke to his church about his sons experience. When addressing his congregation he says that God SHOWED his son heaven. Isn't it true that God shows us things? Isn't it true that God gives us dreams and visions? A friend of mine once said that during a worship experience he SAW the ceiling open up to reveal heaven. He SAW angels praising God and saw the feet of Jesus. I believe we all have experiences like this. Do I believe that Colin Burpo ACTUALLY went to heaven? I'm not sure. God is capable of more than I could ever imagine. But, what I do believe is that God showed a scared little kid what Heaven was like to give him peace, to heal him, and to bless him.
God gives us dreams. I'll be the first to admit that God gives people prophetic dreams. Two years before my husband and I started dating God showed me in a dream that I was going to marry him. He also gave me a dream of my son before I was ever pregnant.
The other issue that I have with some people who are "against" Heaven is for Real is that people have an issue with the fact that a four year old had this experience.
Doesn't the bible clearly say
"And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (John 3:13) and doesn't the bible also say "Now they were also bringing [even] babies to Him that He might touch them, and when the disciples noticed it, they reproved them. But Jesus called them [the parents] to Him, saying, Allow the little children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for to such [as these] belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not accept and receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] shall not in any way enter it [at all]. (Luke 18:15-17)
Here are the facts.
1) Heaven is REAL
2) God speaks to us and shows us things
3) God uses children to speak into our lives
4) God wants us to BE like children.
Here are links to see Perry Noble's thoughts on Heaven is for Real. Here's also the trailer for Heaven is for Real and a video of Platt's teachings on Heaven is for Real.
http://perrynoble.com/blog/is-heaven-is-for-real-good-for-christianity