I bought this book because I wanted to scrutinize the story through rational analysis to see if I thought it was true. I've read it three times.
I never read these types of books. It's not that I don't believe in God and angels and demons and miracles, because I do -- even if I still blush occasionally when considering the activity of such in my everyday life, because of a Modernist worldview hangover.
But I heard Kevin Malarkey in an interview on the radio and was convinced enough to buy the book by the evidence he offered, and by his own skepticism trained into him by education in a scientific mindset as a licensed counselor. At the same time, I bought Heaven is for Real, a story about a four year old boy named Colton visiting heaven.
Although not a literary classic, Malarkey's book is well-written and an easy read, engrossing enough that I read it in one sitting. It is honest and revealing and faith-inspiring. But who cares how inspirational it feels if it's not true?
In fact, the depth of the story, the transparency, the spiritual focus, the tone, all contribute as much to our discernment of the truth of this story as do the specific evidences, including medical images. The scientific veracity of the claims in this story are bolstered by the fact that Alex's grandfather, a well-known, highly regarded endocrinologist who speaks at medical conferences, has brought his own scientific, medical training to the family's interpretation of all the evidence.
I've decided that I believe that the story is likely to be true, and that Kevin, the father, took great care not to "lead" his son in creating details that did not happen. I look forward to following this story to see if the prophecies regarding Alex's healing and future ministry come to fruition.
By contrast -- and this is where I'm going to raise the ire of many readers -- I don't believe the story in Heaven is for Real is entirely true. What I am NOT saying is that Colton's parents made up the whole story. I am NOT saying that Colton did not die and go to heaven and come back. And I'm not saying for an instant that Colton himself does not believe everything he is saying in interviews.
What I am saying is that the story lacks the "ring of truth" (which could be due to thin writing quality), and that if the core event is real, it seems that at least some of the details were "led" out of Colton. Further, details from Colton and details from Alex regarding heaven do not correspond. So, either heaven is manifest differently to each individual and is not a concrete reality (which I doubt), or one of the stories is not accurate in all its details.
If I had to choose between the two stories, the choice is easy -- Alex's story is more likely to be true than Colton's. I don't believe people get wings -- Alex didn't see any on people and Scripture does not indicate that at all. Jesus was probably nailed through the wrists, not the hands, according to medical and historical evidence we have available now, but Colton's story has him pointing to holes in his hands to identify Jesus. Alex and Colton each saw two distinctly different "pearly gates" in heaven. There is more.
Suffice it to say that this book (Kevin Malarkey's) overcame my rational "objections" enough that I'm tentatively choosing to believe it, have purchased the book for others, and will follow the story to see if it's prophesied ending occurs.
Assuming the story is indeed true, it is very much worth buying and reading. And then reading again, as needed.
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Customer Review: I Couldn't Put it Down
Dottie Randazzo
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Reviews with images
FAKE
Just read this article in “The Week” magazine. If his own son, who the book is supposedly written about, is suing....it’s probably not true! I have to say though....there are still lots of un-refutable accounts on life after death.
Top reviews from other countries
MC
This is truly an extraordinary book.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 17, 2014MB
A fabulous account of a young boy's trip to heaven ...
Reviewed in Canada on July 21, 2014