I have more books on my “to read” list than I could possible get around to reading, and far less time than I’d like to dig into them, so I seldom sit down with a 500 page book intending to read cover-to-cover. Often I’ll read the parts that interest me and skim through the rest. It takes half the time, but still gives me the gist of what the author is trying to say.
That was my thought when I first started reading Heaven, by Randy Alcorn. I figured I’d give it a quick speed read and then move on to the next book on my list. It didn’t take long to realize that Heaven is not that kind of book—it’s far too compelling of a read to hurry through.
I’ve been fascinated with the theology of heaven for as long as I can remember—and even wrote a book on the topic for Tyndale a few years ago (Embracing Eternity: Living in the Light of Christ’s Return, co-authored with Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye), but I’ve never seen a more in-depth, thought-provoking, mind-stretching approach to the subject. I wish I’d had this book before beginning work on that one. Alcorn has not just challenged my theology of heaven; he’s forced me to re-think it. Some of my long-held views are now completely laid to rest (which is more exciting to me than threatening).
This isn’t to say I agree with all of Alcorn’s arguments (don’t ask, because you won’t get an answer), but many are simply too compelling to ignore. And far too scripturally-documented to deny.
I’m always skeptical when someone says a book is “destined to be a classic,” but in this case the statement just fits. Heaven is a book that deserves shelf space alongside C.S. Lewis and A.W. Tozer, and I predict it will get just that. You owe it to yourself to pick up a copy. And read it the way it was written--slowly prayerfully, and thoughtfully.
