I've read other of Mr. Strobel's books - one being "A Case for Christ." Lee was a confirmed atheist who set out to discredit Christianity and its claims. After an ER visit where his doctor told him he almost died, he began to look closer at what the Bible claims. As a result, he gave his heart t the Lord. Now he investigates belief systems and arguments that would try to discredit what scripture claims. Per Google, Lee has 40 books in print - with The Case for Christ, The Case for Miracles, The Case for Faith being just a few. In A Case for Heaven, the author interviews theologians, philosophers, neurosurgeons and one famous evangelist Luis Palau who at that time was suffering with terminal lung cancer.
Topics such as the human soul, consciousness after death, what the Bible tells us about Heaven, about hell. What will Heaven be like? What will hell be like? Do our pets go to Heaven? Can we really believe reports of NDEs (near death experiences)? Is Reincarnation true? What on earth is Annihilationism. How can a God be loving when He allows individuals to suffer torment for all eternity? The topics discussed are too much in depth for me to even trying commenting on. And to be truthful, a couple chapters went over my head! What I was impressed with was that each person interviewed had Biblical backing. Speculation was put aside, and answers were found in scripture.
I've always had a fascination about Heaven. It increased even more when I as a nurse at a hospice house. I encountered many different views about dying and the afterlife. I worked with one nurse's aide who would open the window of the room where a patient had recently died 'to let the spirit out.' I witnessed those patients, who were not saved, and in the throes of dying. They were agitated, sometimes combative, clawing at the air, even in a comatose state. I would medicate them for pain and agitation, but it was heartbreaking to watch. Those gathered at the bedside had no comfort to give. Others who I knew to be believers, would sometimes be surrounded by family and friends singing hymns. They were calm and seemed to be at peace. I remember one sweet lady whose eyes suddenly opened, and she smiled. She then sighed and took her last breath.
A Case for Heaven gave me hope and a glimpse of where I will spend eternity. It also grieved me to think of people I knew who were headed, not to a place of unbelievable beauty but a horrible place of torment.
To me, the chapter that impacted me the most was Strobel's interview with Luis Palau, an evangelist who had been called "the Billy Graham of Latin America". Luis, at the time of the interview, was dying from Stage 4 lung cancer. He had undergone chemotherapy which had prolonged his life to an extent, but he knew his end on earth was near. He shared that he was not fearful of death, that his view of heaven had not be changed, but enhanced. Here was a man who faced death without fear and Heaven with great anticipation. My favorite quote almost made me chuckle. When asked by Strobel, tongue in cheek, if it were possible to send a message back to the unsaved on earth . . . . . .
"What message would you send to them from heaven?
Palau didn't mince words. "I'd tell them, 'Don't be stupid!"
We both burst out laughing. "Seriously?" I said. "That's it?
"Sure - don't be stupid! Don't pass up what God is offering out of His love and grace. Why embrace evil when goodness beckons? Why turn your back on heaven and choose hell? Why expose yourself to the harmful side effects of a sinful life when you can follow God's path of righteousness and healing? Don't miss the party that God has waiting for you in Heaven!"
I'm going to copy that down as a cheat sheet when I can't think of anything better to saw to a lost soul.
