90 Minutes in Heaven
90 Minutes in Heaven is written by Don Piper and it has been one the most popular Christian books from the past few years. Just about everyone in my family has read this book and everyone loves the book. The basic flow of the book is that Don is in a serious car accident and is determined to be dead by the paramedics on the scene. It is later determined that he was likely dead for 90 minutes (not joking), and during those 90 minutes he entered into heaven and by a sheer miracle he was revived and lived to tell his story. This book is that story.
2nd Corinthians 12:1-10 speaks of Paul’s heavenly vision and the thorn in his flesh that he receives. He says that he given a thorn in his flesh so that he cannot boast of this vision he has received. This “thorn” has been speculated for a long, long time and whatever the thorn is really isn’t too important. What is important is that God saw it important to hold Paul back from boasting of what he had seen. Paul even says, “he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.”
So where am I going with this? I’m concerned that this book has been welcomed with open arms with very few questions. I’m also concerned that a man can have a vision of heaven and make a ton of money on a book and Paul can receive a vision from heaven and receive a thorn in his flesh. The aftermaths seem pretty different to me. This isn’t to say that Piper’s story can’t be 100% true…I’m not going there. But I do think a healthy dose of Biblical concern about this book would be a good thing.
I have no bone to pick with Piper and no reason to accuse this pastor of heresy or anything like that. I’m just trying to balance Paul’s vision of heaven with this book.
Please don’t think I’m writing this just trying to ruffle feathers. Again, everyone in my family loves this book. I don’t write to get them fired up…they’re already too competitive (believe me).
As always, I welcome and encourage your thoughts.
said: 
said: 
said: 
said: 
said: 
said: 
Tyler Braun.
i’m typically skeptical of these things as well. i think a few folks in my family have also read it, so i’m aware of the contents, though i have not ventured to open it myself. nevertheless, i hardly doubt the guy had a vision. but i think you’re right to bring up the question. but here’s my perspective. the almighty God certainly knew what would happen to this guy, so what this man saw was probably all that God wanted him to see for that moment in time….(remember that 90 minutes is only our time, and God is outside of time)- i believe heaven is much more vast and amazing and incredible than our minds could ever describe in a book. even john had to use odd comparisons just to barely get across the visions that he had. so what this man may have seen is probably not the complete capacity that heaven actually is….only a small picture that was specifically meant for him. but again, i cannot totally speculate as i haven’t actually read it.
Good topic tyler – I personally have not read the book, but I guess I would do what Paul recommends we do in situations like these and that is to test “all things” according to the Spirit & Word of God. Does this guys story line up with scriputre or is there anything that seems unbiblical? From the reviews I have read, very little of the book actually talks about heaven (only 7 pages?) the rest is about Don’s recovery. I probably agree with you that if his experience is that life changing then why charge money for it? If its worth telling everyone then share it at no charge. Publish it out on the web or the internet. “Pdf” format is easy and very inexpensive to do. So in my opinion is if its worth sharing and it will help countless lives then why not give it way?
Something to think about when it comes to “Christian Books”. Next time you walk into a Christian Bookstore notice where the Bibles are located??? Typically they are all the way in the back corner somewhere. I find it odd we have every other authors book in the front of the store, but the most needed and important one is in the very back. Just a thought.
Just one perspective…I have read the book, loved the first bit, thought the rest was just so-so. Uh…isn’t Don’s thorn in the flesh being in constant pain for the rest of his life? He got an amazing vision but, man, he’s also paying for it. “My grace is sufficient” crossed my mind several times while reading, and since I’m a pain weenie, I wondered whether that tradeoff would be worth it to me, personally.
I pretty much view this one the same way I view “23 minutes in Hell”: Meh. I always think it’s interesting when people talk about their visions of Heaven or Hell, and those visions line up *exactly* with what all our traditions say. Isn’t there a good chance our speculations and traditions are just dead wrong?
Of course, not having read either book, my opinion is worth the paper it’s currently printed on.
Prestion: Word!
K- That could totally be true. But then I would look at the part where Paul says he saw things that man can’t utter. God wouldn’t even allow him to speak about such things. And again, this could just be Paul’s experience and Don’s could be totally different.
Ah at first I thought you were talking about our 90 minute lunch at McMennamins.
yonas – HA! that totally made me laugh!