‘Heaven Tourism’

‘Heaven Tourism’

The article on Alex Malarkey’s fabricated story about going to heaven, “Publisher to pull book after boy says he didn’t go to heaven,” in the Feb. 5 issue of The Alabama Baptist should make everyone skeptical of Near Death Experience (NDE) books or what Christian critics call “Heaven tourism.”

Some NDE books have a Christian perspective, but most do not. A number focus on Mormon theology, New Age ideas or attempt to counter almost everything the Bible teaches about heaven, hell and God’s divine judgment.

NDE books are completely unreliable as a means to determine what eternity is like. There is great disagreement and conflicting details of these heavenly visits. Which near-death experience account is the most accurate?

God’s glory should stand out the most in heaven, yet most NDE books say little about the glory of God. Their focus seems more on self, while barely noticing God’s glory. God’s glory is the highest reward of heaven (1 John 3:2).

Some NDE authors claim we can find confidence God’s Word is true and have a better understanding of heaven and God from their experiences in heaven. If God’s Word given through the Holy Spirit is not sufficient for believers, one will not find any true hope in any of these unproven tales (Rom. 10:17).

Scripture tells us there is no reason to believe any of these heavenly visits (John 1:18). People do not go to heaven and come back (John 3:13). All of these NDE stories need to be tested very carefully (1 Thess. 5:21). Alex Malarkey’s revelation throws into question these heavenly stories. 

About the believability of NDEs, Alex Malarkey said, “the Bible is the only source of truth.” God’s Word is more certain and authoritative than anyone’s near-death experience. The only true place we learn about heaven and the immortality of our souls is found in the Scriptures.

Larry Dunagan
Headland, Ala.