Book Review: “Heaven is for Real”
Have you ever wondered what happens after you die? Do you think you go somewhere, as in Heaven or Hell? Or do you reincarnate to an animal or another person? Many people believe that the Holy Bible says that salvation is through Jesus. However, many religions don’t believe that Jesus is what other people say the bible says he is.
I am participating in an internship every Sunday morning for my church, we have a meeting about studying the Bible and being leaders in our church and community. A few weeks ago, my Youth Pastor and Intern leader, Jason Epperson, talked to us about a book called “Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back” by Todd Burpo.
The book is about a young boy named Colton Burpo who had a near death experienced when he was three. Sonja and Todd Burpo (the author), a Wesleyn minister, are the father and mother of Colton. They both suffered while their son was extremely sick and close to dying because of his appendix burst. Colton was poisoned for five days of the sepsis, then was sent straight to surgery for the cleanup. Colton then recovered and got sent home peacefully.
Todd also had some medical problems before Colton’s medical situation. He first broke his leg, and then the doctors found out that he had kidney stones, and to wrap it all up he had breast cancer. Todd was wondering why everything was happening to him and why was everything going the wrong way,
A few days later, while at a funeral, Colton asked his father about the dead man and asked if the man had Jesus in his heart? (Colton was asking his father whether the man who had died was a Christian who had accepted Christ as his Savior.) Todd didn’t know the man very well and told that to his son.
Colton’s faced bunched up and screamed that he had to have Jesus in his heart or he can’t get into Heaven. Todd talked to the man’s family members and they said he did. Todd told his son that but he wasn’t entirely convinced, but his face relaxed a bit. Todd was surprised that Colton had known this and he was just thinking to himself, man, those Sunday school teachers sure are doing a really good job.
Later on, the Burpo’s noticed that something special happened in the hospital. Colton said he went to Heaven during his surgery. During the following years Colton’s parents asked simple questions about visiting Heaven. Colton had mentioned that he was in Heaven for three minutes. Colton experienced a lot of things in just three minutes. The Bible teaches with the Lord, “a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” I think this line really fits in what Colton referred to when he was in Heaven for three minutes like how he said.
Todd always joked around with Colton by showing him different pictures Jesus to see which one is accurate. But Colton always nodded his head. After a couple of years, Todd came across a young girl named Akiane who claimed to have a vision of Christ and Heaven. She was an artist who had painted a picture of Jesus. She said that God gave her the power to draw. She was only eight when she painted her masterpiece which she calls the Prince of Peace. Todd found the painting and showed Colton. Colton said, “That is it! That is Jesus.” Out of all the different kinds of paintings and pictures of Jesus he finally agreed with his father. Jason Epperson showed me the painting and it was incredible on how it looked. People might have seen many different pictures of Jesus, but this one is different and looks legitimate.
“I believe that it is a painting that she drew from her vision of Heaven and I also believe her story is real,” Senior Kolton Williford said.
Not all UHS students agree with the ideals in this book. Junior Alex Zachery said, “I believe Heaven is in your heart and mind, you can go where your mind takes you.”
I personally think this book is great and recommend it. It’s really touching and it’s surprising how Colton’s parents fought through the miserable point of their life when they almost lost their boy. What Colton experienced is awesome, in my opinion, but the pain that Todd and Sonja had to go through is something they don’t like to remember.
“Heaven is for Real is a great book. It really was an eye opener for what to believe because what Colton was saying it was along with the Bible, so it is acceptable as truth, said Senior Morgan Cooper. “While I was reading it, I looked up the picture that was painted by the girl and it was beautiful. The first thing that popped out were His eyes, they were gorgeous and now that I’ve seen it, it gives me a visual of Jesus when I think about Him or talk to Him.”
So readers, what do you think of this book? Have you read it and what is your opinion of the story?
EDITOR’S NOTE: The views reflected in this editorial do not reflect the views of all Echo staff members or the staff and administration at Urbana High School.
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