Several of us gathered in our living room last week to discuss the book Heaven by Randy Alcorn (one of Vital Signs Ministries Book It! selections for this summer) and it was clear that the impact had been tremendous on us all. One must be careful of using such words as life-changing when describing anything—there is a serious responsibility inherent in doing so—but I use the term with ease and complete confidence in describing my reaction to Randy's thoroughly thrilling book. It was a delightful, inspiring, informative, provocative...and yes, life-changing book for both my wife and me.

Those of you who have checked out my list of Indispensables, the ten books I believe are most valuable for Christians, will know that Heaven, Your Real Home by Joni Eareckson Tada is on that list. Well, Randy Alcorn's book will not displace Joni's...but it will nevertheless shoulder its way in beside it!

Heaven will challenge your preconceptions, enlighten your fondest hopes, and shake up your suppressed fears that heaven is going to be a never-ending church service!

I recommend it as heartily as any book I've ever discussed on The Book Den. - Denny Hartford, Director of Vital Signs Ministries (http://www.vitalsignsministries.org) and producer of the daily radio commentary, "Vital Signs" and reading group, "Book It!" (http://thebookden.blogspot.com/)

"Alcorn Hits Another One Out of the Ballpark"

Heaven is another great novel by Randy Alcorn. This book tackles so many hard questions concerning the present and future home of Christians that I found it hard to stop reading and highlighting what I read. Alcorn uses logic to paint an intriguing and exciting picture of our real home, the one we are originally designed for.

As Randy addresses in the beginning of the novel, we believers know little about our future home. The actual physical characteristics of Heaven and the inhabitants are not usually addressed from the pulpit, especially to the degree at which they are discussed in this book.

The following excerpt explains are dilemma quite well:

[Imagine you're part of a NASA team preparing for a five-year mission to Mars. After a period of extensive training, the launch date finally arrives. As the rocket lifts off, one of your fellow astronauts says to you, "What do you know about Mars?" Imagine shrugging your shoulders and saying, "Nothing. We never talked about it. I guess we'll find out when we get there." It's unthinkable, isn't it?]

Yet isn't that where most of us Bible-believing people find ourselves? At a loss to explain the home we so long for. This book is an excellent attempt at using scriptural truths to teach us about Heaven.

[I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. (Leviticus 26:11-12)]

Do we take such verses to mean God will literally be "walking"? I believe Randy makes a great logical case for much of what he proposes in Heaven. He is an excellent researcher, writer, and of course (the most important detail), follower of the Messiah. I have read most of Randy's books, a lot of his articles, and I find him to be a man who relies on the Bible for the basis of everything he does. He also seeks out the sincere and Gospel following works of others to enhance his work.

If you have questions about Heaven, and I can't imagine you don't, this book is a great place to start. Heaven is a book that challenges the reader to look deeper into what the Word teaches about our everlasting home:

Will there be marriage, families, and friendships in Heaven? Will we recognize each other in Heaven? Will we have our own homes in Heaven? Will we sleep in Heaven?

Yes, it is difficult to know with 100% accuracy the answer to some of these questions, but scripture does actually point out some very important clues to help us tackle these questions. Heaven is a well-researched, well-written novel that challenges us to learn more about the incredible home God has designed for us.

As an author myself, I highly recommend this book. In fact, I highly recommend any book written by Randy Alcorn. He is today's C.S. Lewis. - Dan Blankenship

"Randy Alcorn is a fully devoted follower of Christ. I believe God has sovereignly prepared Randy, over his lifetime, for the writing of this book on Heaven. He has long reflected upon this subject and this book is the fruit of his biblically-disciplined study and his sacred imagination. Randy is a wonderfully original thinker, yet a thorough-going biblicist. Other than the Bible itself, this book may well be the single most life-changing book you've ever read. It has certainly refueled my soul and given me a fresh sense of purpose and drive. Having read this book, I will never be the same." - Stu Weber, pastor and author of Tender Warrior

"Earth can't keep its promises, but aren't you glad Heaven does?! And, oh, the joy of one day enjoying not only new glorified bodies, but hearts free of sin! Randy does an awesome job of answering people's toughest questions about what lies on the other side of death. Heaven provides a clear and very readable guide to grasping all that the Savior has in store for those who trust in Him." - Joni Eareckson Tada, Founder and CEO, Joni and Friends

"Randy Alcorn's thorough mind and careful pen have produced a treasury about heaven that will inform my own writing for years." - Jerry B. Jenkins, novelist

"I just turned the last page of Randy Alcorn's Heaven... and I feel so full. My heart brims with excitement about my future home and with love for the creative God who designed it for me. My mind has been delighted to consider scriptural truths I've previously glossed over. My spirit yearns to walk in God's company. We all need to know what awaits us beyond the grave. Drawing from God's Word, Randy Alcorn has explained and carefully illustrated these plans in an easy-to-follow format. Do not miss this book. Heaven will change your life, your perspective, and perhaps even your eternal destiny." - Angela Hunt, author of The Debt

"When Randy Alcorn speaks, I listen; when he writes, I read. This is not only so because Alcorn is a uniquely gifted communicator but because his walk matches his talk. To put it plainly, he is the real deal!" - Hank Hanegraaff, President of the Christian Research Institute International and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast

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