Playing Devil's Advocate

Proof of Heaven was chosen for the Lenten Book Club largely because of how strongly it resonated with some parishioners and staff members on first reading. In both David's thoughtful guest post and the resulting comments, it has been suggested that "proof" is somewhat beside the point for many readers. The takeaway, for many, is on how a man dedicated to logic and rationality could experience and embrace the intuitive knowledge many believers have: that "None of us are ever unloved. Each and every one of us is deeply known and cared for by a Creator who cherishes us beyond any ability we have to comprehend." (p. 96)

However, it is entirely possible to read Proof of Heaven and be left not with a sense of peace or comfort, but a sour taste in the mouth. What of readers who engage with Dr. Alexander and his journey and are left cold?



The Thinker by Auguste Rodin

When we recite the creeds during worship, we are making concrete statements of belief based entirely on faith, including that Jesus is the son of God, who lived and died as one of us, rose again, went to be with the Father in Heaven, and will return. An immense portion of Jesus' message centers on the wonderful fact of God's unconditional love, but as Christians our scripture, doctrine, and creeds are far more specific than Dr. Alexander is willing to be. A vision of heaven without reference to Jesus is understandably difficult for many.

Dr. Alexander also says much about how the ultimate message of our connection to all beings and the Creator must be made known, but to what end? The Gospels contain both implicit and explicit commands that we go forth and not only love our neighbors as ourselves but care for the least, the last, and the lost. Is it not legitimate to consider the potential emptiness of reading and embracing Dr. Alexander's message without the associated push for social justice found throughout the New Testament?

It is true that believers don't need for Dr. Alexander to repeat or underline what has already been laid out by the Bible. However, part of the appeal of his message is his own movement from non-belief in God to belief in God. Proof of Heaven is number one on this week's New York Times list of best-selling paperback nonfiction. One cannot help but consider how some will be themselves moved to belief through his story. Many Christians will take heart in that fact, but others might see it as the embracing of a surface message with very little substance.

What might you say to someone left feeling uneasy after reading Proof of Heaven? Is it legitimate to consider questions and concerns like those above?