OK. Well, to me, the story is dripping with fishiness. Doesn't mean it isn't true, and I believe the events described were, by and large, almost certainly accurate (the disease, surgery, etc.). But a child that young could so easily have been coached -- maybe even accidentally -- that I have a hard time with taking it all at face value. The child may not think he is lying, per se, and in fact may actually believe everything. But the dad, who wrote the book, could, for all we know, be twisting things a little or a lot.
My best guess? The child had a near death experience, and his recollections of it were both driven by what he heard at church and at home, and "helped along" by others around him, afterward. Dad (author) said he took pains not to ask leading questions or cue him in any way (with an exception or two, that he admitted). But he may have done that without even knowing. Or he might just be lying.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
I think the thing for me that made me believe the story is the fact that he found his sister in heaven.
As a four year old he was never told by his parents about his mother losing a baby.
I think the thing for me that made me believe the story is the fact that he found his sister in heaven.
As a four year old he was never told by his parents about his mother losing a baby.
Yes, this and other such details are compelling. I can't help but be skeptical, though. It says nobody told him, but they might be surprised what kids pick up just by overhearing, even when they don't seem to be paying attention. And maybe the parents didn't tell him, but someone else may have. It may have even happened after the fact -- he overheard something about it, after the visit, and it found its way into the story, even innocently. The mind plays funny tricks, when recalling dreams and such. He could be thoroughly convinced that it was part of the experience all along.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
OK. Well, to me, the story is dripping with fishiness. Doesn't mean it isn't true, and I believe the events described were, by and large, almost certainly accurate (the disease, surgery, etc.). But a child that young could so easily have been coached -- maybe even accidentally -- that I have a hard time with taking it all at face value. The child may not think he is lying, per se, and in fact may actually believe everything. But the dad, who wrote the book, could, for all we know, be twisting things a little or a lot.
My best guess? The child had a near death experience, and his recollections of it were both driven by what he heard at church and at home, and "helped along" by others around him, afterward. Dad (author) said he took pains not to ask leading questions or cue him in any way (with an exception or two, that he admitted). But he may have done that without even knowing. Or he might just be lying.
2 Corinthians 12:2-4
King James Version (KJV)
2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth
4How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
If Paul couldn't speak about his encounter in heaven, why should anyone else? If you look at all the big wigs on "Christian" television, they've all been to heaven. It's a way to elevate themselves. I think the boy had a dream. I've dreamt about hell, and in no way believe it is anywhere close to hell. I just had a bad dream.
such an one caught up to the third heaven.
Hybrid Mode
