#967 - The Problem With "Heaven Tourism" Books

The book describes Alex Malarkey's alleged experiences after a car accident in 2004, including an out-of-body experience, meeting Jesus, and encounters with angels and the devil. However, it was later revealed that Alex admitted to fabricating the story. The book was promoted as a supernatural encounter but was eventually pulled from publication due to the admission of its falsity. The Malarkey family, particularly Alex and his mother Beth, have publicly disavowed the book and its contents.

In this book, Dr. Mary C. Neal recounts her extraordinary experience of drowning in a kayak accident in Chile and her subsequent journey to heaven. She describes her feelings and surroundings in heaven, her communication with angels, and the deep sense of sadness when she realized it wasn’t her time to stay. The book also explores how her life was forever changed by this experience, enhancing her understanding of her purpose on earth, her awareness of God, and her closer relationship with Jesus. Additionally, the book touches on her family's grief after the loss of her son and how they dealt with it through their faith.

In '23 Minutes in Hell', Bill Wiese describes his alleged experiences in hell on the night of November 22, 1998. He recounts being in a cell with foul-smelling beasts and hearing the screams of billions of damned people. Wiese claims he encountered Jesus, who instructed him to tell others that hell is real. The book has been a subject of both praise and criticism, with some treating it as an accurate description of hell and others questioning its validity.

The book tells the story of Colton Burpo, who after surviving an emergency appendectomy, began sharing detailed and biblically accurate descriptions of his experiences in heaven. He described meeting long-departed family members, seeing Jesus and the angels, and experiencing the love of God. The story, retold by his father Todd Burpo, offers a childlike perspective on eternity and the nature of heaven, which has inspired many with its simplicity and faithfulness to biblical accounts.

In this book, Don Piper recounts his experience of dying in a car accident on January 18, 1989, and spending what he believed to be 90 minutes in heaven. During this time, he describes experiencing immense happiness, meeting deceased loved ones, and participating in a heavenly choir. However, his return to earth was marked by a long and painful recovery from severe injuries. The book details not only his heavenly experience but also his grueling recovery process and how it affected his faith and life. Despite the controversy surrounding the validity of his heavenly experience, the book has been a bestseller and has inspired many readers.