Christ First Forum

Are books such as 90 minutes in Heaven and 23 minutes in Hell biblically based?

Have any of you read these books and if so or not, What do you think about such statements. 90 minutes in heaven was written by a Baptist Pastor, John Piper and has sold over 500,000 copies. 23 minutes in hell was on the national best sellers list.

Is it all about selling books? Or is it true and scriptural sound?

I personally don't read books like these because I believe they are un biblical.

Where's scripture to back up these feelings?

No one goes to heaven to come back to earth,and no one goes to hell to come back to earth in the Church Age; however, I do believe the beggar died in Luke 16:22 to be carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom while the rich man also died and was buried.

I do believe Abraham's bosom during this time was a place of paradise for OT believers at the tme of their death,and angels took the beggar there.

I believe in Eph. 4:8-10 indicates that a change in the place of the departed believers occurred at the resurrection of Christ.

It is certain that now all who are saved go at once into the presence of Christ (2 Cor 5:8).

Jesus told the thief: today you will be with Me in Paradise" Luke 23:43

Paul was caught up to the third heaven into Pradise (2 Cor 12:1-4).

Paradise is a place of great joy and bliss, but this bliss is not complete until the spirit is reunited with a glorified body at the resurrection of the just. (! Cor 15:5)

I usually read these books that come out because I like to intelligently speak about them. 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper is the ONLY one I have come across that has any credence whatsoever. I'm not quite finished with it, but so far I feel it's Scriptural and it definately has an impact.

Remnant wrote:Are books such as 90 minutes in Heaven and 23 minutes in Hell biblically based?

Have any of you read these books and if so or not, What do you think about such statements. 90 minutes in heaven was written by a Baptist Pastor, John Piper and has sold over 500,000 copies. 23 minutes in hell was on the national best sellers list.

Is it all about selling books? Or is it true and scriptural sound?

Didn't God forbid Paul to tell what he saw in Heaven? I've often thought that perhaps that was because in that day and age there were no adequate words to describe what he saw. Perhaps there wouldn't be adequate words in these days, either, I don't know. Haven't read that book.

But I have read 23 Minutes in Hell. I truly don't know what to think, but the guy who experienced it sounds very credible. He doesn't seen to veer from the Biblical teachings and seems very humble about it all. I really don't think it is about selling books to this man. I believe his experience has caused many to come to know the Lord and I can't discount that. I'm glad you have this on here as I would like to know what you think about it!

Here are my thoughts on this.

These two books were written by men who are very sincere in their heart of what they experienced, but most of what they say is not scriptural.

The Bible says when we are absent from the body we are immediately in the presence of the Lord.

Once an individual leaves this earth and is in the presence of the Lord, Why would they ever come back.
Some of the things that Brother John Piper described in heaven does not line up with scripture.

Now the fellow who went to hell could not have possible gone there because according to scripture their is a great gulf that no one can cross. Secondly, man does not get a second chance.

No doubt these men experienced these things, but was it a vision, a dream, or just something in the subconscious. I believe it to possible all three.

Here are a couple of links that you might concider looking at.

http://www.gotquestions.org/90-minutes-in-heaven.html

http://bromattsblog.wordpress.com/2008/ ... al-heaven/

I dont believe what they experienced was real. Im just really skeptical about things like this. Ive never heard of these men but I trust your judgement on them Frank.

Christy wrote:I dont believe what they experienced was real. Im just really skeptical about things like this. Ive never heard of these men but I trust your judgement on them Frank.

So am I Christy! I have had numerous close to death exsperiences over the last 65 years of my life and I have had many dreams, visions and such under medications and unconciousness. But I do not feel I could wright a book on them and say that this actually happen or that actually happen.