"Heaven" by Randy Alcorn

[Stookie]

My boss (a baptist christian) gave me a book that he said I absolutely have to read and that it would change my life and view of heaven. They're apparently doing a study group at the church on the book.

http://www.amazon.com/Heaven-Randy-C-Alcorn/dp/0842379428/sr=8-1/qid=1172162044/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-6535861-7824116?ie=UTF8&s=books

So out of curiosity I've been reading it to get a grasp of what's going on at church these days. Here's the gist of it:

Because of certain bible scripture, Randy Alcorn believes that heaven is a 100% physical place. We will live in physical bodies (our present bodies resurrected), doing physical things. We will have desires, but only "good" desires that please god. Our identity will not change, we will all look like we're about 33 years old and in good shape. Children will have the opportunity to grow up to 33.

His "facts" for proving this are that god created us as human bodies in a physical world and we aren't supposed to exist otherwise. He states that it's impossible for a human being to exist outside of space and time - only god can do that, and maybe angels.

All in all, it's absolutely rediculous. He makes all kinds of wild claims along the lines of "well the bible says 'this', so we can assume 'this'". He takes the bible literally when it helps his point, and symbolically where it dosen't. Over and over he uses the phrases "we can assume..." and "so I imagine...".  What's sad is that this is being taught in churches all over the place as fact.

It's about 500 pages and I'm on about 300 and finding it hard to finish. Every page makes me scream out loud about the absurdity of this guy's claims. He's setting up gullible christians for a plain, boring, trapped afterlife.

(Isn't it sad that I take the time to read this junk when I could be learning something of value? I guess it's because someone spent $20 on it for me. I'd get them there money back if I could.)

[DH]

It's about 500 pages and I'm on about 300 and finding it hard to finish. Every page makes me scream out loud about the absurdity of this guy's claims.

Boy howdy!  I admire your persistence!  Sounds like you've read more than enough!  DH

[Selski]

I'll second DH's comments.

I'd be pulling my hair out by about page 41!

You ought to return the "favour" and lend him Illusions by Richard Bach... 

Sarah

[Stookie]

I have an update:

My parents informed me that the guy doing the easter service at their church did a sermon based on the teachings of this book, and it caused quite an uproar. They said that the church seemed split 50/50 on the ideas in the book and it wasn't the best thing to bring up on easter. Not surprisingly, I found out the guy that did the sermon is originally from the church my boss goes to, who gave me the book. They're infiltrating other churches!

It's good to know not all christians are willing to fall into the beliefs in that book.

[DH]

There are some good Baptists around who haven't checked their brains in at the front door!