The Case for Heaven

I would very much like to be able to recommend this, especially for non-believers. There are some really moving pieces, especially about near-death experiences of both heaven and hell. Lee's story and the Christian message are absolutely excellent, but this movie itself we found to be long, drawn out and somewhat disjointed. We were quite disappointed in the way that it was made, but the message is spot on. If you have the time and can wade through it, the teaching points are well worth it.

Thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

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Full disclosure, I am a fan of Strobel's "Case for Christ" and a true Christian who has been saved by the Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, so my expectations for this move were high. But this movie was a miss, not a hit.

While there are Believers who have interesting comments in the film, I wasn't expecting to listen to 'fair and balanced' personal viewpoints made by people who are not Christians. This movie was made from a vantage point that is ecumenical, and at times, secular.

A singer who was a "Believer" was featured; he abandoned his faith because, he admitted in a round about way he never truly was born again, and in his way of thinking, "His God" wouldn't send to people to Hell. Nothing original about that, straight from the Rob Bell School of Bad Theology. Why he was given a platform in this movie is bewildering. I guess to present another point of view?! Interesting, we get the alternative view, day in and day out by the vast majority of people who don't believe in God, Jesus, Sin, Heaven, or Hell. That viewpoint is everywhere, it is the norm in today's society, and it's clearly the broad path to destruction.

There is a focus on Strobel's marriage and family, which didn't fit well into the storyline nor made the case for Heaven.

Overall, the quality of the film was not good; the plot line was disjointed, and at times it seguayed toward the irrelevant. The movie wasn't well edited and clearly had a low budget. No, it didn't need to be a big production, but the sound track didn't even match the mouths of the speakers...pretty annoying.

I went to this movie with friends from my church; we were looking forward to seeing it together. If I hadn't been there with them I would have walked out at the halfway point because, lamentably, it lurched along from the dull to inane.

Sure, I'd still recommend this over a Marvel franchise movie, or any of the rubbish being produced by Hollywood today. But on it's merit alone, I can't recommend this movie. It's highly unlikely it will compel anyone to come to Christ or to look forward to the glorious eternity God has planned for those He loves and who believe in His Son.

This had so much uncapped potential. The framework was laid out, but they never dove into the details written in the book. I was left scratching my head during so many moments of this movie. They utilized unorganized cinematography to try and create an ascetic that was never needed in the first place.

The only part that I enjoyed was when they interviewed John Burke, who wrote "Imagine Heaven" based on his research of Near-Death experiences.

As a believer, I was very disappointed.

And if I were an unbeliever, I would have not been spiritually challenged.

Do yourself a favor, and just read the book.

The wonder and beauty and glory of Life Himself is beyond comparison. I got a little teary when I watched this movie. What a sweet reminder of the gift we have in Jesus! The soundtrack by Eric Owyoung (Future of Forestry) is stunning. And Mani Sandoval is the real deal. It's a beautiful film!

First off, let me say that I am a Believer. However, I have seen a few of these movies aimed at the Christian audience that simply quote scripture to reaffirm one's belief. I saw one a few years ago of a little boy who was clinically dead describe what he saw.

I don't need an affirmation, but was curious to see if the writers could effectively use an objective means outside of scripture to make the case for the existence of Heaven.

Of course, nobody can scientifically prove that Heaven (or Hell) exists, but the movie did have some good moments that would make most viewers pause with thought.

I will say too, that among Christians they run the spectrum of belief - outside of the essential things, of course. And some of Christians are critical and even condemn anyone straying from their own beliefs.

If you think that, for example, Hell is full of fire and brimstone and tortured souls, and ready to condemn or "correct" anyone not holding this belief, this movie is not for you unless you at least are willing to consider another thought.

The movie had its slow moments, but it had 3 highlights for me. I enjoyed the interview of a Cambridge neurologist who tells us what our neurons can tell us and what they can't, but we perceive anyway.

There was an interview with a retired Christian singer, who filled stadiums, tell us how he had a crisis in faith. He describes what became his own view, using his love for his own son, how the Father loves us.

Don't want to be a spoiler, but I will say that his using his own love for his son, and then saying that should he want to remain "behind the scenes" in his son's everyday life, is that love diminished if the son strays?" I am not using the most accurate example in rephrasing, but will say that the man's argument gave me some pause for thought.

Of course, the near death experiences were interesting and compelling, and some of the interviewees weren't Christian.

In summary, the movie isn't ground breaking, nor could it be. But there is enough it it to make both believers and non-believers cause to reflect.