I wonder how Johnny Depp is feeling after his latest movie was left in the dust by a movie about a Wesleyan Pastor and his family? “Heaven is for Real” opened in theatres this week in third place, which I think was a surprise to many.
And people have asked me what I think about the story, which is the account of Pastor Todd Burpo and how he, along with his family and his church, deal with his three year old son’s vision of heaven.
I’ve read the book and have seen the movie and enjoyed them both. Did I agree with everything, nope, but I often default to: In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.
In the end, will “Heaven is for Real” damage the Kingdom or hinder the gospel? It’s doubtful. Will it bring people closer to Jesus? Probably some and maybe others will meet Jesus because of a little boy’s story of what he saw when he was really sick.
There are a lot of things in the book that are difficult to explain without a supernatural source and my theology doesn’t permit the dark one that type of power over an innocent child whose godly parents and their church family are covering him in prayer.
Have a great week and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.