Books

My Top 5 Books On Heaven

Picks from Paul Enns, author of ‘Heaven Revealed’

Heaven Randy Alcorn (Tyndale House)

This is without question the most thoroughly researched, biblically oriented publication on heaven. Alcorn shows how the new heaven and new earth reflect the culmination of God’s original purpose for mankind—his kingdom restored on a new earth.

One Minute After You Die Erwin W. Lutzer (Moody)

In dealing with both heaven and hell, Lutzer writes with passion and compassion. This book will minister to the brokenhearted believer, giving joy and hope of reunion with believing loved ones. The third and fourth chapters alone—on ascending to and arriving in heaven—are worth the price of the book.

A Brief History of Heaven Alister E. McGrath (Blackwell)

Reminding readers that “imagining heaven” is a “God-given human capacity,” McGrath traces the variant views of heaven over the centuries, providing insight on how people have understood heaven, culminating with the consolation of heaven and the longing for heaven as seen in the writings of C. S. Lewis.

Heaven: Better by Far: Answers to Questions About the Believer’s Final Hope J. Oswald Sanders (Discovery House)

Writing on a popular level, Sanders, who was twice a widower, speaks to the heart. He explains the transition to heaven and addresses other often-asked questions: Will we know one another? Is heaven a place or a state? What will we do there?

The Biblical Doctrine of Heaven Wilbur M. Smith (Moody)

Smith takes the reader through a thorough biblical study, rebuffing modern philosophers and then addressing questions such as the intermediate state, our inheritance and occupations in heaven, and the new heaven and new earth.

Copyright © 2011 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

Paul Enns is author of Heaven Revealed.

Heaven, One Minute After You Die, A Brief History of Heaven, Heaven: Better by Far, and The Biblical Doctrine of Heaven are available from ChristianBook.com and other book retailers.

Previous Top 5 lists have featured technology, forgiveness, dating, poetry, C.S. Lewis, the historical Jesus, family ministry, the problem of evil, biographies of theologians, orphans, prayer, doubt, community, sports, parenting, Advent, life ethics, emerging movement, Islam, loss, Calvin, spiritual memoirs, neglected doctrines, spiritual memoirs, marriage, Lent, fiction books for the soul, managing your money, devotionals, how character shapes belief, food, atheism, China, presidents, world Christianity, ancient-future faith, the civil rights era, social justice, church history, popular culture, the Civil War, apologetics, atheism, and sex.

Christianity Today has more music, movies, books, and other media reviews.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

Refocusing on the Family

Sarah Pulliam Bailey

Jesus: Democratic King

John Witte Jr.

Joy in the Midst of Terror

Interview by Joe Carter

Back to the Garden

Tony Carnes

City Parish: An Australian Builds NYC Networks

Mark Moring

The Power and the Glamour

The Paul We Think We Know

Timothy Gombis

News

Youth Movement: Finns Seek Renewal

Ruth Moon

Review

Picturing Paradise: A Review of 'Heaven in the American Imagination'

Bill Walker

Dying Decisions: Should Relatives Intervene?

Dennis Sullivan, Rob Moll, and Robert Orr

A Second-Coming Christian

Harry Potter Is Here to Stay

John Granger

News

A Liberating Woman: A Reflection on the Founder of Christians for Biblical Equality

Elaine Storkey

Review

Common Grace and Amazing Grace: A Review of David Brooks's 'The Social Animal'

Books to Note

Trevin Wax

India's Grassroots Revival

Tim Stafford

News

Syria's Christians Back Assad

Dale Gavlak in Amman, Jordan, and Beirut, Lebanon, and Timothy C. Morgan

Readers Write

Excerpt

God Behaving Badly

David T. Lamb

Q & A: Bishop Kallistos Ware on the Fullness and the Center

News

Go Figure

News

Ministerial Murkiness: Biggest Religion Case in 20 Years?

Ken Walker

A Change of Focus

Family Talk, Family Business

Sarah Pulliam Bailey

News

Christian President Retains Office, Pastor Kidnapped in Mexico, & Other News

News

Passages

News

Quotation Marks

YouVersion's Volunteer Army

News

Should Marital Infidelity Disqualify a Candidate from Office?

Compiled by Ruth Moon

News

Multi-Site Churches Go Interstate

Bob Smietana

News

Renewal Groups Strategize after the PC(USA) Drops Celibacy Clause for Gay Clergy

Bobby Ross Jr.

Editorial

Harold Camping Is (Sort of) Right

A Christianity Today Editorial

View issue

Our Latest

The Bulletin

Kidnappings in Nigeria, Rep. Greene Resigns, Mamdani Meets Trump

Mike Cosper, Clarissa Moll

Persecution in Nigeria, Marjorie Taylor Greene resigns, Mamdani and Trump have a friendly meeting, and listeners give thanks.

Excerpt

You Know Them As Fantasy Writers. They Were Soldiers Too. 

Joseph Loconte

An excerpt from ‘The War for Middle-Earth: J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Confront the Gathering Storm, 1933–1945.’

Our Prayers Don’t Disappear into Thin Air

Bohye Kim

Why Scripture talks of our entreaties to God as rising like incense.

From Outer Space to Rome

In 1962, CT engaged friends and enemies in the Cold War and the Second Vatican Council.

May Cause a Spontaneous Outburst of Festive Joy

8 new Christmas albums for holiday parties, praise, and playlists.

Excerpt

Meet CT’s New President

The Bulletin with Nicole Martin and Walter Kim

Nicole Martin seeks to mend evangelical divides and uphold biblical truth.

The Christmas Cloud

Dave Harvey

Christmas feels decidedly unmerry when our emotions don’t align with truth.

Night Skies and Dark Paths

Scott James

God is our unwavering guide through incomprehensible darkness.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube