Boy’s Tale of Heaven Is Publishing Phenomenon

NY Times ^ | 3/11/11 | Julie Bosman

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo

[Dr. Scarpetta]

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[Dr. Scarpetta]

Todd Burpo and family...

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Colton, just after his recovery in 2003, with his father Todd Burpo

[Tread EZ]

Colton Burpo, the son of an evangelical pastor

just a coincidence?

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[dennisw]

My take is the boy had something happen and the account was greatly embellished by the parents who saw a book and money in the future. Though not this much money

People want to believe. Want to believe.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Ping

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Fine folks, evangelical Christians...but...
no sale!

[Houghton M.]

Visions of this sort are possible, but I have my doubts about this one, esp. about the part where Jesus told him his Daddy will fight in Armageddon.

The boy may indeed have had some unusual near-death experience. But I suspect that Daddy Preacher has “interpreted,” spelled out into detail some of the things the kid may have said that Daddy thought would not be understood unless he, Daddy, just tweaked them a bit.

The Armageddon part is one such possibility.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Ping

[pissant]

Colossal fraud, most likely.

[NavyCanDo]

I just finished reading it. Put aside for a moment his visit to Heaven, as a Parent of a young boy myself, I was horrified for a few chapters there as he was fighting for his life. Had this big ole guy nearly in tears reading through his father’s telling of it.

As for the boys story of Heaven and the parent’s documentation of it, I could find nothing that would have me doubt that the story is true. The only questionable part is when he says his great grandfather, “Pop” had wings, and he had little wings himself. Contrary to many old movies and even cartoons we do not become angels. When I got to that part of the book, that is when just a little natural skepticism set in. I was hoping for a little help from his pastor father to ask more on that, but he just let it go. Still it was a good read, and I think the story is highly credible.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

I agree with the skepticism expressed here. That doesn't mean Heaven isn't real. It just means I think, echoing what others hear said, you have a little boy who probably already had his head filled with religion before the “encounter” and dreamed something up. Then his father took it and ran with it to promote his view of Heaven and perhaps to make a buck and/or gain some notoriety.

[HonkyTonkMan]

Having read the book, do you think it’s plausible that the boy could have overheard his parents (and other family + friends) talking about some of the things he saw? Kids absorb and retain so much information about their environment - perhaps this information served as the basis for his experience?

[mom4melody]

I have this book.

Amazing.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I agree. It’s a wonderful book.

[ElkGroveDan]

The part about Jesus’ blue eyes ..... hmmmmmmm.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Yes, it is amazing.

[ClearCase_guy]

I know Heaven is real.
I do not require evidence.
I like to hear stories of how Christians feel that Christ has made a difference in their lives.
I always find it interesting how some folks rush in to say that although they nothing at all the situation, they are positive that this is all hogwash, fraud, and malfeasance.