Don't make this your only book on the subject

One purpose of learning about NDE's is to open oneself to a good experience as one transitions from life on Earth to the Afterlife. Many report that the experience of the Afterlife is responsive to one's beliefs about it, so these beliefs may matter. This book is not by authors who say that they have experienced an NDE. It is about NDE's of others filtered through a literal reading of the Bible. If you read only this book about NDE's, you will have received a distorted picture of the experience and, possibly, limited your Afterlife experience, at least temporarily.

I highly recommend also reading or listening to books by people who have actually experienced an NDE: Dr. Eben Alexander, Dr. Mary Neal, Nancy Rynes, and so many others.

On the one hand, I'm glad that the authors have not taken the position that NDE's are the work of the Devil. NDE's usually involve so much love, forgiveness, and, often, beautiful descriptions of God and Jesus, that it makes no sense to maintain, as some Christians do, that the Devil creates these experiences.

On the other hand, the authors bend the reports of NDE's to fit Biblical doctrine. For example, frequently, "Experiencers" report going through a tunnel on their way to Heaven. Apparently, there's no Biblical quote that supports this report. As I recall, the authors mention a tunnel only once and then they "correct" that report. They maintain that the person must have misinterpreted what he really saw.

The authors attempt to persuade readers that, based on quotations from the Bible, our task on Earth is to be obedient, as children are, to a fatherly God. They say that if we are sufficiently obedient to God, we will earn rewards in Heaven beyond what is possible on Earth and beyond description. These rewards are described in very materialistic terms—homes, good jobs, fun activities like sports events, etc. While all those who accept Jesus as their Savior will be admitted to Heaven, only the obedient will receive ineffable honors and rewards.

Those who do not accept Jesus as their Savior will consign themselves to Hell for eternity.

At the same time, nothing in the NDE reports that they quote from supports these claims about accepting Jesus, obedience, rewards, and eternal Hell. The authors do not explain that they have based these claims on the Bible and Church teachings rather than what Experiencers have reported.

I've read or listened to 100's of reports of NDE's. Many of these describe a loving and powerful God and Jesus, so loving and powerful as to be impossible to describe in words. While I've learned about only a fraction of the reports available, none have described God or Jesus as demanding obedience or handing out rewards as a father would. This description very much conflicts with NDE characterizations of God and Jesus. Nor have the authors of "Imagine Heaven" provided supporting quotes from Experiencers.

At the same time, I want to thank the authors of "Imagine Heaven." I believe that this book is a step forward for many Christians, in that it does not demonize NDE’s. In addition, for me, it was the clearest and most logical explanation of Christian doctrine that I've read regarding the role of Jesus. The book’s explanation is complex, involving two times of judgement of humans. But, it all fits together. It just doesn't fit the picture one gets if one reads a lot of reports by NDE Experiencers. Nevertheless, I feel the book has an important contribution to the literature on Christianity and NDE's.

I gave the narration two stars because the male narrator is distracting with his attempts to mimic women, children, and various accents. He's actually a pretty good mimic, but it's an annoying distraction nonetheless.

27 people found this helpful

Great book

Great book- amazing stories .. I very much enjoyed this book. I could do without the readers change in voices thought out the story. It was distracting and took away from the stories.

17 people found this helpful

I wish a different person narrated.

Would you consider the audio edition of Imagine Heaven to be better than the print version?

No

What was one of the most memorable moments of Imagine Heaven?

High pitched male voice of the narrator.
He changed his voice when he read
the quotes of different people
and it was sort of annoying.
I wish it was read by Dan Woren.

Would you be willing to try another one of Tristan Wright’s performances?

No.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No. The book sounded so light because of the narrator.

12 people found this helpful

Great job I just lost my son and the book was so much help getting thought it

I love this beautiful written book that 's so much,now I can carry on cause I'm ok

8 people found this helpful

Good, but the performance is HORRID & OFFENSIVE!

Good book, but the narrator's HORRID voice imitations of people within the stories is SOOOOO ANNOYING and distracting! Not to mention, honestly, OFFENSIVE! Most sound like failed Muppet characters, especially the women, but really (?) do we (adults) need it so dumbed down that the narrator feels we need his bad attempts at ethnic accents, as well? In today's society, I would like to think we have come far enough that we don't need these tasteless imitations. Dude, just read the book in your voice and use normal inflections - we'll get it! This is a book being read for adults, not Kindergarten story time. I will never listen to another book by this narrator. I'm actually shocked Audible would allow this kind of narration and am turning back in the book. I can't go along any longer. Plant palm to forehead (over and over and over....)..

7 people found this helpful

Suzanne

This book is wonderful, A must read!
I miss my mother so much but now i I can imagine how well and happy she is.
She was a light of Christ in the world and now she is with him.

7 people found this helpful

Narration is a hurdle but content is worth it

The narrator has a pleasant voice but throughout the book altered it when quoting others. It was like story-time at preschool. It was cringe-worthy to hear him speaking as a woman or small child, and a bit insulting. It would be a much better read.

5 people found this helpful

EXCELLENT BOOK

Excellent book, but the reader was awful. When he read in his normal voice it was fine, but he changed his voice for every character...women, children, Jesus, etc. It's the most annoying listen ever...but the book is FABULOUS. I have hard copy, too...I recommend the hard copy over the audio.

4 people found this helpful

Very interesting topic.

Great topic! Horrible narration. The narrator is so condescending and patronizing I want to crush my phone for playing it. But the story and topic is very good.

4 people found this helpful

Too much religion and scripture!

Too much scripture. Very boring and hard to follow. This book is not about near death stories but more on the Bible.

4 people found this helpful