3 Reasons I’m Not a Fan of the “I Went to Heaven” Books

Mike Leake 4 Comments

Within the last couple of years I have had an influx of requests from publishers to read and review a host of “I went to heaven” books.  The more popular varieties of these books have often led many within our congregation to ask whether or not I’ve read these books and what I thought. 

I’ll start out by saying that more than likely I have not read the books.  I’ve maybe skimmed a couple of them.  Before you criticize me, though, for dogging books that I haven’t read please hear me say that you don’t need to read the books to make these statements.  The very presence of the books is the problem not even necessarily what they contain.  Here are my 3 reasons:

  1. We don’t need them.  To believe that we do and that somehow they help exposes our lack of confidence in the Scriptures.  I really appreciate that The Gospel Project called out these books by saying, “The Bible doesn’t need our fantastic experiences to verify it.  It is the very Word of God from the very breath of God”.  Amen. 
  2. They misplace our focus.  The point of heaven isn’t the streets of gold.  These books often are attempts at helping satisfy our curiosity about what heaven is going to be like.  The Bible doesn’t seem to care.  Notice that when Paul was contemplating death in his letter to the Philippians he only said, “To depart is to be with Christ and that is far better”.  He didn’t say, “To depart is to get a sweet mansion, gold teeth, and endless rides down the neck of winged-purple dinosaurs.”  The point of heaven is unhindered relationship with Christ.  Anything else only reveals our earthly idols. 
  3. Paul couldn’t write about his experience.  In 2 Corinthians Paul mentions that he had a rockin’ heavenly vision.  It would have been a certain best-seller if he could have figured out a way to churn out a bunch of papyrus copies.  But the Scriptures say that rather than a multi-million dollar book deal the Lord gave Paul a thorn in his flesh to keep him humble.  If the apostle Paul couldn’t speak of his heavenly vision what makes these authors believe that they have the green light? 

If you are dying to know about heaven I’d suggest reading the Scriptures, spending time with believers, enjoying sunsets, and wage war against idolatry and other God-belittling sins.  Slowly but surely our vision of Christ will expand and we’ll catch a glimpse of what it will be like, though we still look as through a glass dimly, to know Him as He truly is.  That will give you a taste.  You don’t need these stories to distract you from what really matters. 

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If you are just dying for a book on heaven the best one I’ve read is Randy Alcorn’s book Heaven. 

Today in Blogworld 9.24.12

Mike Leake

Precious Puritans (Part 1)

Joe Thorn interacts with a track from Propaganda’s new album (releasing tomorrow) dealing with slavery and the Puritans.  It is very insightful as is the interview he conducts with Richard Bailey.  As far as the Propaganda album goes Justin Taylor calls it an album you can argue with.  You can Pre-order it for tomorrow by clicking here.

Closing the Back Door in Churches

Churches often have a hard time keeping people.  Drawing people for some churches isn’t a problem.  Thom Rainer gives four keys to assimilate people into the church and thereby closing the back door. 

Is Tim Tebow a Chauvinist?

Russell Moore says No.  But in the midst of answering that question he also paints for us an excellent picture of standing firm on biblical truth and how to engage those outside the church. 

Pride in the Pulpit

I wonder if a good number of these pieces from Paul Tripp will end up in his forthcoming book on pastoral ministry.  Either way this is a phenomenal piece on pride in the pulpit. 

Here is a piece that Propaganda did awhile back on G.O.S.P.E.L

“I’m Happy With Small Numbers”

Mike Leake 1 Comment

Here is an imagined response that sounds very similar to answers that I’ve heard when a pastor/church is asked about their lack of growth. 

“We’ve had 14 people in our church since 1993.  You know some people think that we aren’t faithfully proclaiming the gospel because we have not had a single convert since 1993.  But you know that isn’t true.  You should talk to any of our 14 members.  They’ve got some serious bible knowledge.  They are solid.  And that’s cool with us man because we aren’t about numbers, we want faithful disciples.  We do share the gospel with people but we’ve yet to see results.  Again, we’re okay with that because we aren’t the Lord of the harvest.  When God wants us to have more members He’ll get it done.  Until then we keep doing discipleship and preaching the gospel.” 

I Agree…

I agree with a good amount of what is said in that paragraph.  I agree that faithfulness is not marked by an ACP report.  You can have 4,000 people and be denying the gospel and have 7 people and be faithfully plodding along.  If I look at the ministry of Jesus from a numerical perspective he probably wouldn’t have gotten a plaque for his church office for being one of the top 50 churches in his state. 

I also believe that the Lord of the harvest determines the amount of fruit that we reap in our ministries.  It’s not because of our successful preaching, or witty plans, or even our uber-doctrinally faithful expositions of Scripture and gospel presentations that men and women come to Christ.  It’s because the Spirit infuses a Jesus-drenched gospel proclamation with resurrection power. 

However, I also believe with this imagined response that the Spirit doesn’t always attend gospel preaching with converts.  He might attend it with powerfully hardening sinners a la Isaiah the prophet. 

Furthermore, I agree that the work of ministry is also very much about discipleship.  I do not mock those 14 “really solid” believers.  In fact if these were found in a country in the 10/40 window they’d probably be more celebrated than if they were present in a small town in Georgia.  Wherever faithful disciples are found I rejoice.  Even if their evangelistic efforts are not met with an influx of new disciples. 

But

Theologically I’m in the same camp as the imaginary dude I quoted above.  But…

I think he’s missing something.  A lack of growth isn’t a badge to be worn around.  His “that’s cool with us” attitude seems to fly in the face of Jesus and the little-followed but very faithful prophets that he likes to quote.  I believe that theologically Jesus would agree with everything this chap is saying.  But his response wouldn’t be to say, “that’s cool with me”.  No, his response is different:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. (Matthew 23:37-38 ESV)

That’s lament. 

The same thing goes with Isaiah as well as Jeremiah the weeping prophet.  They, as did Jesus, knew that they would often not be received.  And they mourned. 

So enough of this happily patting ourselves on the back because we aren’t like those churches that are all focused on numbers.  Yeah it’s great that we can sleep at night and rest in the sovereignty of God.  It’s wonderful that we know that the results aren’t up to us and that we can measure ourselves by biblical fidelity instead of numbers.  That’s wonderful.  Seriously, it is.  I don’t know how I could do ministry if I didn’t believe that.  But let’s believe these things with tears in our eyes and with a longing that we might be faithful to the gospel AND see a myriad of sinners bow a knee to the beautiful Christ. 

A lack of people coming to Christ is a reason to lament.  And that’s the case even if you are being totally faithful and God in His sovereignty isn’t blessing you with fruit. 

5 Books I’m Digging Right Now

Mike Leake

It seems like really good books are just rolling into my office right now.  I noted a few weeks ago 5 books that I was really enjoying.  I’ve since finished 3 of those 5.  I now have five new books that I’m reading that I’m really digging:

  1. Gospel Deeps by Jared Wilson is a book about reveling in the excellencies of Jesus.  The gospel is bigger than you think.  Jared hopes to begin plumbing the depths.
  2. Center Church by Tim Keller looks like a text book but reads like a passionate plea to do balanced gospel-centered ministry in the place the Lord has placed you.
  3. Christless Christianity by Michael Horton is a sickening look at the alternative gospel of the American Church coupled with a plea to repent and again believe and proclaim the biblical gospel
  4. Dynamics of Spiritual Life by Richard Lovelace is a classic.  Written in the 70’s Lovelace looks at the history of revival movements and throws in various insights throughout on biblical spirituality.
  5. David Brainerd by Vance Christie tells the story of the man that captivated the heart of Jonathan Edwards’ daughter, a missionary to the native Americans who died at the age of 29. 

If you could only get one of the above books I’d probably suggest Jared Wilson’s Gospel Deeps.  I’m only about a quarter of the way through it but like it so far.  Center Church probably isn’t for everyone but it’s going to prove really helpful for pastors and church planters.  Horton’s book is a tremendous call to the church to get back to following Christ.  He doesn’t mince words.  I just started the biography of Brainerd but his story is tremendous and Christie seems to be apt biographer. 

Click on the links above if you want to check them out.