Customer Reviews

One Minute After You Die

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Erwin Lutzer writes a compelling book about a topic sure to interest every one of us: what happens to you after you die. "One minute after we die we will either be elated or terrified. And it will be too late to reroute our travel plans."

First he reviews the commonly held opinions about death, near death experiences, the bright white light and experiences drawn from the modern entertainment industry. Why take the fantasy and myths from someone who had an altered state of consciousness or a near death experience as a witness? Far better to rely on someone who was really dead, dead in a tomb for three days and then raised from death to life. This is none other than Jesus Christ, the Son of God, uniquely qualified to reveal to us what is on the other side of death.

Using examples and explanations from the Holy Scriptures, Lutzer presents the bad news first, the descent into gloom for those who die in their sins. In contrast, for those who know Jesus Christ as their Saviour, death is an ascent to glory, with life continuing eternally in the New Jerusalem and all of the gifts and privileges for the redeemed in Christ. At the end of the book Lutzer shows how you can make sure that you will be ready when the final call comes by trusting solely on Jesus Christ for your salvation.

This book is an encouraging read for the Christian who is losing or has lost a loved one who is a believer. It helps to remove the fear of death. It also answers so many questions, and well, like about what is going on when people think they are being contacted by the dead. I gave this book to my mother and she not only read it but keeps it on her coffee table to look at on a regular basis. It's also very comforting to know the beauty and the glory that awaits us when we finally go home to Jesus.

I originally checked out this book from our local library and it was such an inspirational book that I ordered a number of them from Amazon and gave them to my family and friends for Christmas presents.
A fantastic reading for all Christians and those who are on the wishy washy side, not sure of their beliefs.

'What is life but preparation for eternity,' states Erwin Lutzer, senior pastor at Moody Church in Chicago, in his introduction to the intriguingly titled book 'One Minute After You Die'.

Who has not at some time, conjectured about what happens at the moment of death? From blissful ignorance to obsessive, morbid interest, we all have ways of dealing with this unavoidable issue. While millions of Westerners believe in some kind of afterlife, upon what evidence is this belief based?

Dr Lutzer examines what the Bible has to say about life beyond death, offering also, biblical perspectives on channelling, reincarnation and near death experiences. He clarifies confusion over the terms 'sheol', 'hades' and 'hell'; and the unbiblical teachings of Purgatory and 'soul sleep'. The Bible doctrines of heaven and hell are clearly presented and moving testimonies about families (including Dr Lutzer's) and others who have experienced bereavement are included.

For non Christians, the biblical teachings about hell may be challenging. Dr Lutzer examines different attitudes and perspectives, addressing difficult issues about death, including the death of children, and our eternal destiny. Challenging yes, but there is also wonderful comfort.

While the Bible provides sufficient information about heaven to thrill the soul, I feel that occasional speculation by the author, fascinating and imaginative as it may be, can dilute the impact of the word of God. Dr Lutzer speculates for instance, that skills or talents we have on earth, whether as an artist, scientist or musician for example, will be developed and used in heaven. In addition, those in heaven, he suggests, may be able to 'ask for regular updates' about their loved ones on earth.

Despite this criticism, however, the majority of teachings about heaven and hell are scripturally sound. Believer and non believer are exhorted to ensure that they are fully prepared for the day of their departure, entrusting their lives to the Lord Jesus and ensuring that their eternal destination is '...at home with the Lord.' 2 Corinthians 5:8

Life does NOT end with the death of the PHYSICAL body. Life begins at conception and continues throughout eternity. We were created to know and love God, and for Him to know and love us. If you've never gotten to know Him in this Life through His Son, Jesus, you will briefly meet Him when you physically die and the door to Eternity opens. However, your meeting with Him will be short and you will find that while you should have been preparing for Eternity while on earth, you may have been "skipping" class. You will fail your final exam if you do not know, or don't wish to know anything about Jesus. In spite of what most religions teach about good works, the only way life throughout eternity will joyfully continue for you is to come to personally know Jesus, the Savior of all mankind. This book explains Heaven and Hell in real, easy-to-understand language. The entire subject of death is discussed, helping to alleviate fears about our future life when our physical life here ends. You may not choose to agree with the material presented. One Minute After You Die is too late to change your mind. Your location in eternity is unalterably fixed at the moment of death, by the choice you made on earth.

I enjoyed this book. It made me think. I felt there were a few comments that are just speculation, not proven by Scripture but for the most part it is a good book to read.

True Christians will know immediately where this book is headed. Others will be in for a quick awakening.

My sister who is a Pastor in the Rodeo Ministry in NMex loved this book and bought 10 copies. One of coursefor her sister. Now I love it and want to share with people who want to experience peace and knowledge of where we are going and that our loved ones who knew and accepted Jesus as their personal Savior are Loving Heaven and will be anxiously awaiting those of us who know the Lord. Inspirational and yet warning to those who need to examine their hearts and have yet to make a decision that will insure the Title " One minute After you Die"

It was so comforting to read (referenced by Scripture) what happened as my mom went into glory!

This is a great book. The writer, Erwin Lutzer, is very good, very skilled.

I want to tell you why this book resonates so strongly with me.

For one thing, I have never read or heard an unpacking of the parable of Lazarus the beggar and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) like the one this book contains. J. Vernon McGee observes "I do not believe this is a fictitious story. I believe He drew this story from real life just as He did His other parables. Jesus used illustrations that were familiar to His hearers. They knew exactly what He was talking about. He uses the name of one of the individuals involved in this parable; the Lord would not have given the name of someone who did not exist."

In essence, Lutzer unpacks this as follows: Jesus is parting the curtain of death for us and allowing us to know what is important about the next life. There are really only two kinds of people after death: believers and unbelievers. The rich man in the parable is an unbeliever. He ends up in Hades/Sheol, which is where the unrighteous dead wait for judgment. He's fully conscious, and his faculties are intact. He knows who he is, where he is, and why he is there. He is in agony, and he can do nothing about it. He does not complain about being treated unjustly, but rather, only about the agony he finds himself in. He clearly knows what his brothers need to do in order to escape his predicament: they need to repent. While they are on Earth. As Lutzer puts it, "Incredibly, the man suddenly became interested in missions!"

If you recall, at the end of the parable, the rich man asks Abraham to send Lazarus, the beggar, back from the dead to warn the rich man's brothers about what will happen to them if they die without having the proper relationship with God. "But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'"[ESV]

This parable was told prior to Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, and history has shown us how correct this response is, as there is overwhelmingly solid evidence that Jesus did die and rise again, but many people choose not to believe.

In the interest of brevity, let me say that the rest of the book is solid and very thorough. Many questions that people typically have regarding death are answered. We all die some day, and this book offers a careful, sober, and thoughtful account of what happens one minute after you die.