Heaven

August 30, 2004
According to Alcorn (The Treasure Principle
; Deadline
; Safely Home
), the subject of heaven rates as one of the least accurately discussed subjects in the whole of Christendom. Even seminarians fail to give appropriate time and attention to heaven as described throughout the Bible because other themes take pre-eminence both chronologically and preferentially. Alcorn is likewise astounded that the majority of Christians who do take time to consider heaven often possess faulty, nonbiblical assumptions, one of the most common being the misconception of heaven as a place of unending church services. The author, who is also the founder of the nonprofit organization Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM), has spent years studying what the Bible says about heaven, and in this compelling and comprehensive resource, he offers every conceivable question about heaven, or the "New Earth," as a Christian believer's ultimate destination. Alcorn answers the expected queries on heavenly life as well as quirkier ones: will Christians drink coffee in heaven? Will there be homeownership, and what about sex? Will our pets be in heaven? Evangelical scholars and laypersons alike will appreciate Alcorn's expansive—though perhaps long-winded—musings on this neglected subject, a real boon in a time when many people are eager to understand what happens after death. (Oct.)

Forecast:
Tyndale is committing $80,000 to promote this title, which will certainly be a CBA bestseller and perhaps a crossover hit.

Chris Fabry paints vivid word pictures to describe Alcorn's comprehensive work on heaven, where await heavenly streets of shimmering gold, clear running streams, and mansions of marble and precious stones. Quotes from the Bible support this unusual view of heaven, a place where saved people do not sit on clouds playing harps. Instead, they lead task-oriented lives with greater mental and physical acuity than ever before and look forward to seeing loved ones, including pets, who are still on earth. Fabry's delivery captures the spirit of Alcorn's view of heaven. Using clear examples and citing the Bible chapter and verse, Fabry enhances Alcorn's depictions of heaven, hell, and an earthly world without sin. G.D.W. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine