Heaven Revealed Review and Giveaway

In this book Bible teacher Paul Enns explores the questions that people frequently ask regarding heaven and the eternal states. Having recently lost his beloved wife, these questions are very dear to him, and he asnswers questions in great detail, offering a glimpse into what is yet to come.

When I was first offered this book to review, I almost turned it down. So often books about heaven end up being highly speculative and unbiblical. Coming from a publisher that usually offers very solid books, I thought this one might be different.

In many ways, it wasn't. Enns frequently cites the existing books about heaven, most often "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn - a book which was not very grounded in Scripture. Though Enns uses a lot of Scripture, he doesn't often directly quote it, leaving the reader to have to check his Scripture references on their own. When checking a few of them, I found that when viewed in context they were not about heaven or the eternal states, which leads me to question his handling of Scripture.
My other concern with the book is that Enns seems to ignore passages that are clearly in opposition to what he claims. Let me give you an example.
In Mark 12 the Sadducees approached Jesus and asked about marriage after the resurrection:

"Teacher, Moses wrote for us that IF A MAN'S BROTHER DIES and leaves behind a wife AND LEAVES NO CHILD, HIS BROTHER SHOULD MARRY THE WIFE AND RAISE UP CHILDREN TO HIS BROTHER.


20"There were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died leaving no children.

21"The second one married her, and died leaving behind no children; and the third likewise;

22and so all seven left no children. Last of all the woman died also.

23"In the resurrection, when they rise again, which one's wife will she be? For all seven had married her."

24Jesus said to them, "Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God?
25"For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

Yet Enns continuously indicates that our relationship with our spouses will continue, without offering any explanation of this apparent contradiction.

While it was entertaining to imagine what might be, overall I felt that the author did not do an adequate job of exegeting Scripture to defend his claims.

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The giveaway will close on June 19 at 7PM.