Recently, someone let me borrow a book called 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. The premise of the book is that Don Piper, a Baptist minister, was in a horrendous car accident and was dead for 90 minutes. During that time, according to Piper, he was in heaven. He spoke of its beauty, of seeing relatives and loved ones, and how the place almost overwhelmed the senses.
What interested me was his chapter on heavenly music. Praise was everywhere, he said, filling his heart with the deepest of joy. But what really caught my attention was his remark on p. 35:
Many of the old hymns and choruses I had sung at various times in my life were part of the music — along with hundreds of songs I had never heard before. Hymns of praise, modern-sounding choruses, and ancient chants filled my ears and brought not only a deep peace but the greatest feeling of joy I’ve ever experienced.
As I stood before the gate, I didn’t think of it, but later realized that I didn’t hear such songs as “The Old Rugged Cross” or “The Nail-Scarred Hand.” None of the hymns that filled the air were about Jesus’ sacrifice or death. I heard no sad songs and instinctively knew that there were no sad songs in heaven. Why would there by? All were praises about Christ’s reign as King of Kings and our joyful worship for all he has done for us and how wonderful he is.[1]
With all due respect to those of you who have read through this book and found it so joyous and hopeful, I found myself not wanting to read another word. Why? Well, if we need to see what heaven is like, the Bible is clearly sufficient for that, so we must look to see if Piper’s vision of heaven matches the Scriptures. And on at least two occasions it clearly does not. Rev. 5:9-10
And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
[10] and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
Let me ask you: do you believe those in heaven realize how they made it there? It is because of Jesus reconciling us as sinners to God who is holy through … what? The Cross! The elders and the whole company were singing about the cross even in heaven! Also in Revelation, the Spirit reveals a Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Why is Jesus called a Lamb? Because Lambs were sacrificed, but Jesus was the once and for all sacrifice and all who partake of this are recipients of Christ’s reconciling and atoning work on the cross!
Let us be very discerning about the things we read — even bestselling Christian books! My dad warned me, “Not everything that’s in print is worth reading.” I shall read through the rest of Piper’s book, I pray that the rest of it is more in tune with the biblical account and will reflect more of the Gospel.
Here’s what gets me about these type of books. Mary Baxter had some other books along the same lines several years ago. Why can’t we simply trust what the Word of God has already said about heaven? Why do we need more “revelation” when in fact God has given us the complete revelation, without error, and full of authority by the Spirit? I think I would rather trust what the Spirit wrote about heaven (or hell) than these guys.
A member of our church asked me to purchase this book for our church library. I read it, before processing and I have two observations. One is that perhaps the story needed to be written not to give the “revelation” of heaven, but rather to encourage those who have to live with the kind of pain that Don Piper experienced. It seemed to me his emphasis was on helping people who wore a ‘fixator’ or something like that.
The other observation is that perhaps the Apostle Paul experienced something similar which he described in II Corinthians 12:2-4. According to my calculations, he had been stoned in Lystra about 14 years prior to the writing of II Corinthians.
Now, for my comments. Paul stated that what he heard was “unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” I am not sure why his experience would be different unless it is because Don Piper did not actually go through the gate. He may not have heard, the unspeakable words? Notice I am asking, not telling.
As for the music, could it be that the reason he did not hear the “old songs” was because he was hearing “new songs”? Had he gone through the gate, he may have heard exactly what John heard as well?
I am usually somewhat skeptical of NDE, but this book did seem to be different and I felt the Lord’s presence as I read it. I have heard a lot of people say that the book has blessed them or encouraged them. I never want to go outside of the Bible looking for God’s truth and yet I found the book to be a blessing and encouragement as others have indicated and I really did not see anything that the Bible has not already taught.
I am very interested in what other Christians think about this.
I read both of Don’s books 90 mins in Heaven and Heaven is real and found nothing that contradicts the Bible. During the 90 mins he was “dead” he gave an account of heaven of what he saw and heard during THAT short time. Rev 21 refers to no tears or sadness in heaven… It’s a happiness that Don tried to describe in “human” terms. He had not been there long enough to go all the way through the pearlescent gate and he was not there long enough to experience things that the Bible describes like the rewards, etc (so of course, he didn’t talk about that but that doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen) Yes, as you mentioned, Jesus was the lamb that was sacrificed for OUR sins, he shed his blood on the cross for us, and WE deserved to be on the cross not him, he paid our debt by his sacrifice on the cross for us. And that’s a HAPPY thing that he loved us so much that he took our place on the cross… we just have to accept that. Don never contradicts this in either of his books . In fact, he emphasizes that since he had surrended his life to Jesus Christ at age 16, is the reason he went to heaven (already had his “reservation” for heaven if you’d like to use that term)
I don’t see where he contradicts the Bible, Bro Matt. (this is the 1st time I have seen your column or heard of you, so I was wondering…do you have your own church, and if so, where is it, when did you accept that you were a sinner and accept Jesus Christ as your saviour? Thanks and God Bless you, Deb
I feel that Piper´s book is a strange book. I don´t agree the way it presents the issue of praying for a dead.
Deb:
Thank you for your comments. My whole issue with Don Piper is that he connected singing things about the cross as a sad thing. But as you said, the sacrifice of Christ on the cross is a happy thing — something to sing about. So why would Piper insist that this is a sad thing? I believe you need to re-read the thrust of the post — Piper equated songs about the cross as sad songs. Why? As you well say, nothing sad about that and it should be sung about.
Let me first state; I have not read this book. I was curious about it though and have read excerpts at various sites [& other reviews]
I was curious because of the following short story…In the summer of ‘94, I too had a most horrible wreck. On my Harley… which was totaled. I lay in a ditch half the night before someone found me in a ditch, lying in a pool of blood, and called an ambulance. I was declared dead in the emergency room. I do not know for how long, never asked, but as they were pushing me out…They said I simply sat up. Freaked out the entire staff! I still laugh about that.
Did I ’see’ heaven? Did I ’see’ a white light and hear someone calling from the ‘other side’?
No to all three. I did see the doctors and nurses running around over my body. I watched it all quite casually from above them. I felt most peaceable as they scurried back and forth. I do not think I was in any kind of physical body. I also heard every word being spoken by my eldest daughter who was something like half a mile away at the ER front desk…through many hallways and steel doors I heard her every word. She was so mad because they wouldn’t tell her anything yet. They had good reason to be that way considering they only knew I was probably DOA. Which I was.
I didn’t tell her at first. And then one day I had to. I sat there and told her every dang thing she said that night! Yes, she verified my story and we cried and held each other. I brought it up again years later and she asked me to please never talk about it again. The girl has a PHD in Education; not someone to easily lose control.
It was just too…ugh, spooky, I guess is a proper term for it. And no, I am not a Christian. Wasn’t then and isn’t now!
But I do have a belief system and it works just fine. I don’t want another, thank you. And I have another beautiful Harley. Don’t even have a car or many possessions anymore. Gave most away.
And I used to make about $100,000 a yr. I did the year I wrecked the bike. So what?
You simply can’t take it with you when you’re gone!
I just recently heard Don Piper speak live. My entire family loved his book, I read it and tried to be optimistic but still wanted to hear it from the man himself…
First off I am a born again Christian and my faith and love in Christ is the most important thing in my life, so I am serious any time I hear a new teaching, testimony, or revelation, and compare it with scripture to test and see if its false or not.
I have to be honest… going to hear him speak I went in really wanting to be optimistic and open minded. And although I was happy that nothing in his testimony DIRECTLY contradicted scripture, something kept gnawing at me and did not feel right, and I have finally put my finger on it……
If Don Piper DID in fact see the gate of heaven with his own eyes and his testimony is true, then praise God! it was a gift by the holy spirit, but at the same time it could be a gift that Satan is desperately trying to distort greatly through him so that people will not be saved by his testimony…
Why?
#1 – because his message makes Heaven look like the goal the glory and the treasure, not Christ!!!…
If our motivation and desire to go to heaven is simply because we want to see our relatives or live in paradise or large mansions… then WE ARE NOT SAVED!!!…
Our 1st and foremost desire should be to see and experience Jesus!! God!!
Yes heaven will be amazing, scripture confirms it. But what would heaven be without Christ???
I feel like Satan is trying to wean people’s desires away from seeing God to simply living in paradise. And that is not a result of a saved soul…
Although I am weary and skeptical, I am not completely doubting Don Piper, I am just doubting how he is sending his message and how it is being received. It truly scares me.
If he didn’t truly see Christ then he really didn’t even experience heaven fully.
Its like saying you experienced a restaurant without ever tasting the food!!!!…….
Piper said in his book that he DID NOT truly see Christ in the flesh face to face. That might explain why his testimony is easily distorted to the wrong goal.
I find this all disturbingly ironic. Because his testimony and theology looks exactly opposite to JOHN Pipers theology. If you don’t know who John Piper is, he is an awesome reformed Baptist Christ centered Biblical truth rooted pastor/author, and does not mix his own opinion into his teaching, he teaching truth from scripture and scripture alone.
As I read DON Pipers description of heaven I thought immediately of a quote from JOHN Piper’s book God is the Gospel. He asks:
The critical question for our generation—and for every generation—is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever say, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?
That could not be more true, and it hits this issue to the core…
I hope people realize that Christ himself is the prize, the joy, the everlasting happiness that we will worship and glorify forever, not simply mansions and golden streets.
I hope and pray that Don piper is not a false prophet and leading people astray. Because the more and more you compare his view of Heaven to Scriptures view things start looking very questionable…
BE CAUTIOUS…
TEST EVERYTHING WITH SCRIPTURE…
Strength and joy in Christ alone
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be WITH ME in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
I have not read the book but plan on it. Today is the first time I have even heard of it. The Bible is the only book we can count on. But, I believe God sends us messages to help keep our chin up. I recently went through an ugly divorce and custody battle of my three sons ages 12, 5 and 3. After a year of lawyers and court, he got the house, the furniture but most of all primary custody. I was a stay at home mom for years until he told me I had to get a job. He bullied me, sexually and verbaly abused me. His family was evil, it’s an experience I that I will never be able to put into words and am having a tough time getting past. He got the boys because he was living in the home. Who cares about the emotional bond or how I was the one who took care of the boys. God knew the whole situation and I was very confident that I would get primary custody because God knew what he was like. He has emtional problems and my oldest son is even nervous dealing with him. Needless to say I am struggling with this. The day I was hit with the news it was a living nightmare. Off and on I would get this sick feeling that God turned his back on me. I know he didnt but these are feelings I was experiencing without any control over it. If you have never dealt with a serious issue of loss with your children then please don’t judge me. I know God is there and I know Jesus died on the cross for my sins and I believe this and love them so very much. I know in time it will be revealed but I have been reaching out for any glimpse of what heaven will be like. The other day, from descriptions from the Bible and other stories I imagined it in a way that was almost like a vision. It was a blessing. The feeling in my heart of being on my way through the gate to meet up with my precious Jesus once and for all! To be with Him and to no longer mourn or greive but to be free and happy with Jesus! If there is a chance that God is giving us visions through people and it matches up with scripture then let it be. God is MIGHTY! Let Him deal with the people who may or may not be witnessing correctly and have Faith in that. A glimpse of Heaven may be just what someone greiving needs to get back on track.
John 3:13 “No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven.”
what more need be said?
ok lets think about this for a minute. Iv’e heard this mans story and I can agree that the statement he made about not hearing the old hymns like the old rugged cross being sad and all that caught me off guard because i was raised going to church hearing those songs and i dont think of them as sad. I think of them as comforting and I look forward to singing new praises to Jesus in heaven along with the great old hymns. I have been a christian for a long time and when I say christian I mean it in every sence of the word the way the Bible describes it. Living through his word and having a personal relationship with him. I don’t remember Don insisting that the old hymns were not going to be heard in heaven. I took it as his personal opinion of why he himself did not hear the old songs and may be to him it is sad because he thinks of his sin Christ took on the cross for him and I can understand that. May be the Lord was speaking to him personally in his experience. The man died and for some reason God decided to keep him here and allow all the pain and suffering so he could tell his story. The man saw the light along with his loved ones, he did’nt see the Lord because he did not die and if he would have I don’t think Jesus would look down on him for thinking the reasons he did not hear the hymns about him dieing on the cross was sad because he had to take on Dons sins just like the whole world and I think Jesus would recognize that Don is sorry and sad that he is a sinner which we all must reconize in order to be saved and receive the gift of eternal life in heaven. From what I remember Don saying, he was on his way to walk through the gate being escorted by his loved ones and looking forward to seeing Jesus so I dont think he was trying to be in Heaven without Jesus and as I recall he was pretty depressed about the fact that God did not let him stay there and he talked to him about it all the time while his body was being put back together again. If Don would have died I am sure Jesus would have answered his question about the old hymns by pointing him in the direction of all those great hymn writers who have died and gone on before him but for Don he is alive just like Jesus is alive and for Don maybe he was remembering our Lords last words on the cross ” IT IS FINISHED” In the book of Revelations doesn’t it say there will be a new heaven and a new earth and Behold old things will be past away ? May be Don Piper had a new song in his heart when he saw heaven and the fact that Don was allready a pastor on his way to serve the lord by going to a church meeting when that horrible accident happened that almost took his life because some inmate decided to break the law again by driving that truck that hit him, I have to say the odds are that Jesus had a plan to keep Don around so he could be a witness for him so others could come to know Jesus as their savior and if his opinion over why he thought he was not hearing the old hymns is different and not what we think it should be, as long as he is following God and giving his opinion as he felt it and not trying to change what God says about it, shouldn’t we forgive Don and show some compassion just like Jesus tells us to do in the Bible you all are talking about ???
Melissa:
You seem to be focusing on the “old hymns” portion rather than the content. He said he heard no songs about Christ’s death or the cross, yet in Revelation 5 the angels were singing, “Worthy are you who was slain.” This talks about his death. Without this, there would be no heaven. In fact, the angels were very intrigued about how Christ went about this (1 Peter 1:10-12).
When someone puts something in print along this line, there is compassion for what he went through, but the Bible tells us to “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15) and to “contend earnestly for the faith once and for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). We are to love Christ’s truth above all, and to expose when that truth is not being told.
Listening to Don Piper while attending to one of his “crusades” here in our city of Bolivar, Missouri, I realize that his whole speech was about emphasizing details of his terrible accident. He did that again and again but not too much talking about the Bible and the Word of God. He said that he was in heaven for 90 minted but he did not see Jesus……….., soooooo……..we know that the scriptures say that when we die and we go to heaven we will see Jesus that went there to prepare a place for us
Piper’s speech was almost totally a “pitch” to sell his book and nothing else.
Why if you believe in God and all of his glory would you do nothing but be glad and thankful for this book. Let me tell you what this book did for me. It gave a new realization.
I had heard as a believer that I should not be of this world and do as God would or wants me to do. However, after this book my eyes were open. I have never spoken the words “I can’t wait to be with my Lord!” Until after this book. I do not believe it had anything specifically to do with the music or the sights or my family. When I close my eyes and imagine eternity, I imagine being beside my lord. I am constantly reminding myself when I get agitated with life or become annoyed or want something of the feeling I felt directly after reading this book. I remind myself not to be of this world just in it.
Melissa made a very good point perhaps God was speaking specifically to him by not having him hear and experience any songs about Jesus’ death. I
For Juan, wow why do you sound so bitter? You’re speaking of the Lord and someone who is praising him. Don spoke of rationalizing why he didn’t get to se Jesus. He thought that it was hard enough for him to be back in his earthy body after experiencing the joys of Heaven perhaps it would have been just too much to bare being in the presence of Jesus and having to leave. I think that I would feel that way too.
For Dave, I do not believe that Don is a false prophet in any way. Simply I felt Gods presence when I read this; He spoke to me and opened my eyes. The enemy could never do this not in this way. Perhaps your doubts are the enemy speaking to, not in the book it’s self.
As for the criticism that this book may contradict the Bible and that the Bible is clearly sufficient in regards to filling our need for the Lord.
Do you really think that a God that truly loves us would say…. Okay guys here is the Bible! ummm and if you have any questions or concerns just go ahead and refer to that …..see you at Armageddon!
Probably not so much! I know that if I knew my daughter would not see me for years and years I wouldn’t just give her a book and say see you later. I would send messages to her and call her and give her examples of my love.
This is a trying time for Christians! Let’s get it together and send more support to each other have a little faith in each other instead of giving the opposition fuel by doubting each others’ faith and criticizing beliefs.
I am a born again christian with a passion for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but. I haven’t read the book………yet.
But I may rock the boat here. I believe that we will sleep in Christ until his second coming, that we are in fact waiting for a new resurrected body, that no one goes to any heaven or hell straight after death. How can we go anywhere when there has been no judgement.
And remember Dave that in the original written word there were no commas or full stops. I believe Luke 23:43 say….I say to you today you will be with me in Paradise. Jesus was going to be dead for 3 days. To my understanding He wasn’t going to Paradise.
God Bless
I’m a born again Christian and read the book. Charlotte remember in Luke 23:43 when Jesus told the thief he would be in Paradise with him today. The important part of that is that the thief died before Jesus and not after jesus. Therefore the Spirit that Jesus indwelled the saints with was only after his descention back to heaven. The thief on the cross would not be a part of the saints who would be waiting for Christs 2nd coming. So he very well may be in Paradise but the saints after will have a bit of a different wait as there soul will be with Jesus and the body will come and all will the saints gathered together after the second coming. My other concern with Don P. book is also the notion he was able to experience heaven when the bible clearly states no one will. Unless he is an apostle or has revelation like Paul I seriously doubt that is where his revelation is coming from. The other obvious concern is that it is planting this idea in weak Christians that don’t relize when the anti-christ reveals himself this is the same trick he perpetraits that he dies experiences heaven raises himself and deceives even many of the elect that he is the Christ. Be very weary of this Don Piper and His book. Do you not believe even false teachers are able to encourage you or make you feel good or excited about what you read…test everything against scripture.
Brothers and Sisters open your eyes to the Truth its already revealed to us!
I just finished reading 90 Minutes in Heaven. For some reason it left me feeling more anxious than good. I’m not sure why but it could be beacause of how much he writes about all of the suffering he went through. Several people have posted that only two Deciples got a glimps of heaven while they were alive, but is there scripture that says NO PERSON will ever die, see heaven and come back to tell about it? I have a problem with people who claim Don may be a false profit. If Don is a false profit or being used by Satin to confuse people, why would he clearly state that the only way to get to heaven is by accepting Christ?
I also wonder why Don would be miraculously brought back to life if he was a false prophet.
I have read the book. I’m puzzled by those who suggest Piper is a false prophet. Nowhere does he say that what he experienced was the GOSPEL or should be added to the Bible.
He shares his experience just as others who have been touched by the Lord have shared theirs — people who have been cured of diseases or delivered from addictions or experienced a revelation from the Holy Spirit about a personal matter. God is living and active in our lives today. If we do not testify to His love as it is manifest to us, then our faith is a mere intellectual exercise.
I find the fact that Piper was brought back to life the most convincing part of his whole story. One cannot manufacture a car crash, a death (verified three times within 1.5 hours) and a grueling , painful recovery. His testimony about heaven is something that I take a face value, as something that he says he experienced. It is encouraging and not at all distracting to me. It does not tempt me to “live a good Christian life” so that I can “get the reward” of heaven. Instead, it shows us the Lord’s magnificence and His love for his children.
I don’t suddenly believe in heaven because of Don Piper. I believe heaven exists because God has told us so in His word. But it is wonderful that someone who inexplicably went to heaven can come back to earth to say that he is looking forward to going back — in fact yearning for his true home.
I read Don Piper’s 90 Minutes in Heaven about 6 months ago, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it. I have to admit that the part where he said he heard no singing about Christ’s sacrifice on the cross struck me as very odd.
I was born again a few years ago, but didn’t devote much time to actually studying the Bible until about a year ago or so.
This past week, especially with the state we find our country and world in, I have been devouring everything I can about the rapture and the end times. I–as one other person mentioned above–believe the truth revealed in scripture is that we don’t go to heaven immediately when we die, but rather, the dead will be raised up first when Jesus comes for his Church at the pretribulation rapture.
That said, I don’t doubt that Don Piper experienced something. Perhaps God gave him some sort of vision, even while he was dead–God is certainly powerful and creative enough to arrange it. Or perhaps he IS a false prophet and what he experienced is an elaborate ruse created by satan. None of us can say for sure just what it was that Don Piper experienced, because the only truth we can be SURE of is what we read in the Bible. And I’d rather focus on what the Bible has to say anyway.
Good Day,Evening, to everyone thats is on this reveiw regarding Don pipers book 90mins,i did not know nothing about this man or his book untill my mothers nurse called yesterday evening 4/4/09,i called out to see a friend for 10mins,on my return my 83yr old mother had told her about my near death experances(died3 times)first i told her part of my story and she saw my photos of my recovery,and as i am writing my book,this seems quite real about his (DON)experance,i can only say the following,5mths in coma 9 mths on lifesupport,and yes i was in gods place in heaven?no golden gates,no songs i have ever heard,flowers colours we on earth do “NOT HAVE”I just closed my eyes and woke up not knowing what had happened to me!!this took a long time to find where i was,and where i had been ,i was totaly paralized,9 enternal operations,lost my hair,teeth,and every orgeon in my body cut to the bare essential,full septicima,paralized,you name it i have had it?no spleen liver,panacras,etc all damaged,so was this a MIRACLE!!!ofcourse it was god gave me a second chance to come back to earth,i am very spirtual,i try to give inspiriation to others,when i tell them god loves every human and forgives us our sins!!he is alive and most certainly when we DIE,he takes us to his paradize thats !a place i will return to when he calls me home!i walk talk see hear,have lovely long blonde hair,look very young indeed,amaze people when they think i am just in my early 40 and i am 57yrs,looking at the proof of my photos in a wheelchair or bed so ill you cant beleave its the same person,yes our loving god sees the “heart”of use humans a women left to die!and alone comes another team of surgeons who work and pray to god to guide there “hands that he gave them”thats only a part of the proof that our god already has many prophets here on earth,i cant judge this gentleman or his book,it was my mothers nurse that told me after she saw my photographs and was totaly shocked at what she saw and could not beleave it that it was possable for anyone to look so good and now she knows 100%that god is very much alive,i know my bible yes more now than ever!!but most of all i have been richly blessed to see?a world i cannot explain awaits for us,and its been my inspiriation in my life now,i have many probs; but you cant see them ,as i never dwell on any of my pain,simply he gave me anew life and a new light,everyday i thank him in prayer,i talk all the timetoo him,and in my human body he made for us all,on this planet we call earth,lets us all know he is alive!!and i have suffered much heartache before i collopsed and as i say went on a jounrney to our lords home—–i have such contentment threw my pain !!WHY–BECAUSE HE SUFFERED TO BUT HE SAW MY HEART XX SO TAKE THIS SMALL STORY INTO YOUR HEART ,PRAY TO HIM AND WAIT AND SEE HIS HELP COME TO YOU,OH YES HE DOES COME IN MYSTIC WAYS,THE SPIRITUAL APPREHENSION OF TRUTH,FEAR NOT MY CHILD I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, GOD BLESS YOU ALL THAT READS WHAT I HAVE SAID THIS DAY APRIL SUNDAY 5TH 2009 yesterday has gone theres no recall and tomorrow has yet to unfold,if you are suffering open you window and look around you at what he created for us all ,the moon .stars,the flowers,and his lovely birds singing away for us all,no amount of money can take this away from us!!that my richness his works and love he has done for us humans xxxgod bless you all maryann now back home in scotland