"23 Minutes in Hell" by Bill WieseI'm having a hard time writing a review because it totally is not a book I would pick up on my own. But our pastor strongly requested that the whole congregation read it so that we could prayerfully develop a heart for people without Jesus.
The book is set up into different sections. First his experience & testimony of spending 23 minutes in hell one night. He goes into detail of everything he was experiencing but does not overly drag it out. He speaks very factually and with a real authenticity and conviction of all he saw and felt. The first couple chapters cover this. Then the book is broken into different teaching kind of sections. Sections such as proof of hell, avoiding hell, who goes to hell, are there children in hell, etc. (That's not the actual chapter titles, just what I remember as I had to return the book before I could post up the review). He uses tons and tons of scripture throughout the book. And he quotes many other known Christian leaders on what they say about hell. Bill Wiese does take you through a thorough study of hell but he does keep the text as readable and flowing as possible with the subject.
This is a quote from the author: "Even if you don't believe my story, you should believe these Bible verses and avoid hell just the same. To me, it doesn't matter what causes you to understand the truth as long as it sinks in. My sincere hope is that this book is the closest you will ever come to experiencing hell for yourself,".
Because it's not the kind of book I usually read I probably won't read it again, but if you want to do an extensive study of Hades and Hell or want to develop a passion for the lost and what they will be facing or want to give it to someone you were witnessing to that was struggling with believing that a good God would send anyone to hell or create a hell in the first place, then it would be worth looking into.
The book is set up into different sections. First his experience & testimony of spending 23 minutes in hell one night. He goes into detail of everything he was experiencing but does not overly drag it out. He speaks very factually and with a real authenticity and conviction of all he saw and felt. The first couple chapters cover this. Then the book is broken into different teaching kind of sections. Sections such as proof of hell, avoiding hell, who goes to hell, are there children in hell, etc. (That's not the actual chapter titles, just what I remember as I had to return the book before I could post up the review). He uses tons and tons of scripture throughout the book. And he quotes many other known Christian leaders on what they say about hell. Bill Wiese does take you through a thorough study of hell but he does keep the text as readable and flowing as possible with the subject.
This is a quote from the author: "Even if you don't believe my story, you should believe these Bible verses and avoid hell just the same. To me, it doesn't matter what causes you to understand the truth as long as it sinks in. My sincere hope is that this book is the closest you will ever come to experiencing hell for yourself,".
Because it's not the kind of book I usually read I probably won't read it again, but if you want to do an extensive study of Hades and Hell or want to develop a passion for the lost and what they will be facing or want to give it to someone you were witnessing to that was struggling with believing that a good God would send anyone to hell or create a hell in the first place, then it would be worth looking into.
If you want more reviews you can find them here.
12 comments:
I haven't seen this book, but I have a family member who said she "went to hell" once while she was ill. She was in the hospital,very sick. When she woke up, she accepted Jesus on the spot. She then called my mother (who had shared Christ with her before and who she knew would believe her) and told her the story. We DO believe her. I am happy to say that she was saved that day. Since then, she has passed on to be with Jesus- in Heaven.
Wow, I haven't heard of this, but I think I may have to pick up a copy. I tend to have a hard time witnessing, but maybe this would light the fire(no pun intended) under me to press on.
I haven't heard of this one either, but your description makes me want to read it. I may go look for it too.
That sounds very heavy. Good for you in getting through it. Blessings...
Thanks for the review.. I had heard it wasn't a very good book and quite questionable... I'm glad you gave a GREAT review on it.. I probably won't read it... I love your honesty!!!
Now have you read 90 minutes in Heaven???? I heard the same on this one too...
Ellen: It is a heavy book due to the very nature of the subject. Not something that usually attracts me in a book, but our pastor had asked us to read it and he doesn't ask us that very often.
FlipFlop Mom: I didn't take it as questionable for a couple reasons. One was the author was and is a very successful realtor, not in the ministry. And I asked myself why he would put his whole reputation and business on the line with a story like this. And second, he didn't just write a story, he backed everything he had experienced with scripture, he spent more time of the study part of the book than he did just telling the story. But these are just my thoughts. And I haven't read the other book and probably won't. Like I said this is totally not the type of book I would pick up on my own, but I remember reading the one by Dr. Eby in the '80's of his accounts of going to heaven and hell.
Oh I was thinking of getting this book but wasn't sure about it. Now I may just go pick it up! I read 90 minutes in Heaven and it was fascinating and had me yearning for our future home...Heaven!
Please be very careful. Our source for truth must come from the Bible or we could be confused with all kinds of crazy stuff. God has revealed in his Word what he wants us to know about heaven and hell. Be satisfied with that and get to know your Bible better!
The simple lack of detailed description, the inadequate and often poor writing, lead me to believe that this book was not 'from the heart'. I am neither speaking good nor bad of this book; it seems to me that if a person has truely witnessed hell, their observations would leave the reader scared for their soul. This is not the case. I would not recommend this book
I too, personally knew someone who experienced hell while his "earthly body" was in a hospital setting, but unlike this book, for my friend everything was pitch black the entire time. But, similarly, he did feel the torturing and hear the screaming, etc. He came to and, luckily, one of the medics was Christian and shared about Jesus. My friend lived on but has since passed away, rip.
Susanne: I disagree with you completely. Just because the authors main job wasn't the ministry doesnt mean he isn't a dedicated and educated Christian. One of the most popular verses in the bible is do not judge others. You are making the assumption he is not a good Christian because of his work? That is very cruel and judgmental. Being a fan of your blogs, I do not appreciate you judging the author himself when you are only suppose to be giving us your a
opinion on the book.
Caroline: I do not understand where you got the idea I said he was not a good Christian and where I was judging him personally. I specifically stated he speaks "with real authenticity and conviction" and that he uses lots of Scripture and quotes other well known Christian teachers. I also state that he does a thorough job on his study of hell but makes it readable. Then I go on to recommend the book if you want to do an extensive study on hell. In my comment to FlipFlop mom I am arguing for the author as she had heard and had stated that the book was questionable, not against him. I state how I feel it wasn't questionable, one of the reasons being is that the author is a layman.
Just because I personally do not "enjoy" books on hell does not mean I am judging a person who wrote a book on it. Please reread my post and the comments.
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