Customer Reviews

Heaven, the Heart's Deepest Longing

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I fell in love with this author and his writings after reading this beautiful, simple-hearted though philosophically-deep book. The passages that he quotes and the thoughts that he stirs are nothing shy of amazing! My spirit felt refreshed and challenged upon finishing the book. What a wonderful encouragement this book is. Don't be fooled by the small size, it is loaded with fresh insights and tender spiritual reflections.

Refreshing and powerful, well written, and straight to the point. One might suppose that a book on death would be a somber experience: in the end it is a joyful one. Why aren't we ever satisfied ? It is not because we are greedy, but rather because this is the way we were created. We will not be, we cannot be satisfied with anything this world can offer. Nothing will ever satisfy us short of heaven !

This book deals with Heaven, but even more it deals with what God, our Heavenly Father, wants for us now. It is an inspiring work drawing wisdom from C.S. Lewis and Aquinas and many more of the greatest thinkers in the history of the Church. Finding its ultimate truth in Sacred Scripture, this book will deepen your faith and bring you to a deeper understanding of the life we have in Christ.

This is a joyfully intense book, the best I've read on the subject. It does require time to read, and time to reflect, to fully understand the message. That's one reason I loved it -- it isn't trite and full of the same old stuff you've always heard about heaven.

I'm in love with this book! It's my favorite book of all time. I first laid my eyes on this book in 1980 when it was first published. It is a book on philosophy but it is written simply and flawlessly, very refreshing. This is one book that you can go back to, time and time again to reflect and be inspired. It uplifts you when you feel down and unspirited. It has been written for the lay person to understand faith, death, hope and happiness drawn from different religions and from different philosophies.

The Book of Ecclesiastes says "God has placed eternity in our hearts." I have read this book several times and have been waiting to do this book a just book review, but the first thing I have to say is that it's mind boggling that so many books other than this one have received such a wide reading - and this book hasn't. I think it's a classic masterpiece by a brilliant philosopher who in the mold of C.S. Lewis and Thomas Aquinas writes one of the best reasonable defenses for life after death that have possibly ever been written.

The book is not an "easy" read, but an incredibly "rewarding" read. I think the depth of Kreeft's knowledge of philosophy coupled with theology and his wide range of reading and creativity makes for writing that feeds the soul and the mind. So much of what we read today is "fast food." Heaven: The Heart's Deepest Longing is a seven-course gourmet meal that leaves you full and satisfied. After contemplating what you have just read it makes you long for Heaven and a deeper and more intimate relationship with Jesus.

The reason I call this an "Apologetics Masterpiece" is because I think Kreeft brilliantly articulates how Heaven is necessary in order for all our desires to be satisfied in the afterlife. He makes a great case for the existence of God and the necessity of our home with Him. There is so much that we long for in this life that will never be satisfied, but will be satisfied in the next. The atheist, agnostic, or even varieties of "ists" and "isms" can't really explain why our hearts long for so much that can't be obtained in this life. Peter Kreeft articulates with tremendous insight and creativity to show that Heaven is what we were made for and why that's the case.

I can't do the book justice. All I can say is what the Holy Spirit said to Augustine so many years ago: "Take up and read, take up and read...this book." If you are philosophical and a deep thinker you will absolutely love this book. If you are not a deep thinker, you may struggle along, but I would encourage you to read the book slowly and thoughtfully. Anyone can benefit from this book, but especially those who read it slowly and thoughtfully. One thing this book always does for me, is increase my joy and my hope in my future home - where I will finally be satisfied with everything I've ever longed for and more.

Peter Kreeft's "Heaven: The Heart's Deepest Longing" has become one of my favorite books, even though I've just recently read it. Kreeft writes about one of the most important topics imaginable, but one which few modern writers have chosen to grapple with. What Kreeft has written fills the mind with profound thoughts but more importantly fills the soul with a recognition of its own longing for God and heaven. I recommend that Christian readers put it at the top of their "Must Read" book list.

Kreeft presents his musings on heaven in 6 sections:
1. Introduction: Our Guide on the Quest for Heaven: Our Society or Our Heart?
2. The Beginning of the Quest: The Heart's Hunger for Heaven
3. The Time of the Quest: Time of Exile
4. The Place of the Quest: Earth Haunted by Heaven
5. The End of the Quest: The Joy of Heaven
6. The Results of the Quest: What Difference Does Heaven Make to Monday Morning?

There is so much I could say about this book and its beauty, truth, and goodness, but the best way to communicate this is to let Kreeft speak for himself. Like C. S. Lewis, to whom Kreeft often refers and for whom he obviously has a deep respect, Kreeft has a gift for phrasing profound truths in memorable quotes. Here are some of my favorites:

"When God is dead, death is God."

"We see the present sinner; God sees the destined saint."

"We are not only what we are, but what we want."

"We are like children opening a thousand beautiful Christmas presents and asking after each one: Is that all there is?"

"Earthly dissatisfaction is the road to heavenly satisfaction."

"Earth is automatic, but heaven is freely chosen."

"The face is the most numinous, most magical matter in the world."

"As the face is the epiphany of the person, the person is the epiphany of the universe."

"The whole world is a face. The whole world is a love letter."

"History is cosmic pregnancy."


Every Christian owes it to himself to better understand his own quest for God. This book will open not only your mind and eyes but also your soul!

10/15/11
I received this book in a very short time and in good condition.

I am enjoying this book because it is definitely not superficial, but goes into the psychological, philosophical and theological aspects to show why the book's title is accurate. The book looks at heaven from all views, religious and atheist, East and West. Sometimes a little deep but well worth the effort. The author quotes lots of sources for the views he presents.

May God bless all who even start reading this.

John

I am a Christian, but I have always struggled with the idea of Heaven. I've even gotten horrible anxiety thinking about Heaven, because I have never been able to think of a Heaven suitable for eternal existence. When I would hear people discussing their hopes for Heaven I always thought, "Yeah, give it a few thousand years and that Heaven you want will turn into Hell." Thank God for Peter Kreeft, who is such a brilliant man. In this book he significantly helped me on my journey in having a joyful hope for Heaven. I especially loved his elaboration on St. Anselm's quote about how if we love our neighbor as ourselves, then our joy will be multiplied with their joy, and so in Heaven our love for everyone will bring about such an incredible amount of joy that we will be ek-static and self-forgetful. I highly recommend this book, especially if you struggle with thoughts of the afterlife and Heaven.

I am a complete reader of several of the books by Peter Kreeft. I have even bookmarked his website @ http://www.peterkreeft.com/home.htm It lists all of the books and articles he has authored. Well worth a visit. Especially if you are a reader of his thoughts.