I had the opportunity to go hear Don Piper speak this weekend at Parkview Church about his death experience and the 90 minutes that he spent in heaven. I recall pastor Tim saying that Don was going to be coming to Parkview - but I had forgotten about it until this weekend.
Jen and I have been going to the Saturday evening service (5:45) in an effort to make some more room for the 11:00'ers on Sunday morning, and this past Saturday was no different. I couldn't believe how packed out the 5:45 was this weekend. There were people standing in the back, and apparently there were people underneath us and out in the coffee area too watching on TV's. There had to have been close to 2000 people there for the 5:45 service.
I was psyched up for Don and I was really looking forward to him telling us what his experience was in Heaven. All through worship, I was really geared up to hear our guest speaker.
I was initially turned off by Don Piper after about the first 10 minutes. He seemed like quite the huckster to me - pushing is 3-4 books which were conveniently for sale with a complimentary autograph out in the lobby. I thought "Shoot! Just another huckster trying to make a buck off a heavenly experience." I was also really turned off by the "We're taking reservations for Heaven tonight...who wants to go message."
Don's story finally began, and it was intriguing to listen to him. I was glued to the edge of my seat as he began talking about the people and sights that he experienced while he was in Heaven.
Truth is, I'm still not sure I believe that Don spent 90 minutes in Heaven or not. I'm certainly not discounting the fact that Don was pronounced dead by 4 separate medical personell or that he was dead for 90 minutes. I'm not sure if Don spent those 90 minutes in heaven....not that he couldn't have. I'm not judging whether or not Don deserves to go to heaven...he seems like a good enough guy who believes. Its not up to me to decide.
I struggle with Don's story for two reasons though...
1. Why did Don fail to mention that there was no judgement? To me the bible seems pretty clear about there being a book of life - and having to give an account for your actions and sins on earth. How come Don just showed up at the "pearly gates" and walked right through?
2. Why would God choose to have a person come to heaven for 90 minutes only to leave again. I really can't wrap my brain around this one...and I'm sure Don can't either. Would the God of the universe really reveal his biggest secret to one man for 90 minutes just so that he could come back and tell us about it? If so...Awesome! I can't wait to go to the place that Don described.
I really hope that Don is more than just another huckster trying to make a buck. I think a lot of people who maybe doubted heaven started to believe after hearing his Story this weekend, and I want to make sure they have the whole picture. Don's story, while invigorating, is missing a lot of spiritual truth for me to believe Don wholeheartedly.
