Simpson so misrepresents the content of Heaven Wins that I wonder how much of it he actually read. I will address here only a few of his errors. He begins by saying the author "claim[s] many will be in heaven where the Bible does not. Matt. 7:13-14" and quotes the verse. This is not Richardson's starting point but Simpson makes it his, lifting statements out of context without citing Richardson's groundwork about the Bible's teaching on an 'age of accountability' and his comments (pp. 44-45) on this passage: "Jesus was speaking....of people old enough to understand ...and comprehending enough to know that salvation is something they are both able and responsible to 'seek' and even 'find.' Unborn infants or young children (some of whom can hardly find their own noses) do not fit at all within the scope of Jesus' Matthew 7:14 and 22:14 comments." Richardson eventually asserts that many more will be in heaven than is often assumed, but NOT because everyone will be saved! (After all, in chapter 1 he affirms a literal hell where people suffer eternally, saying, "I discount [Rob] Bell's conclusion that hell is temporary rather than eternal." But you'd never know this from Simpson's review.) Rather, per chapter 4, a majority of souls created in God's image will be in heaven due to the number who never reach an `age of accountability.' Richardson's overview of biblical support for this topic--one long sidelined by scholars--is helpful and enlightening.

Chapter 5's historical and anecdotal data showing that 80% or more of mankind has died before age 6 (via miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, infant mortality or child mortality), added to biblical texts cited in chapter 4, lead to the conclusion that a majority of all people ever conceived WILL end up in heaven. BUT--Richardson never says this is because most people will choose God's remedy for sin. Rather, most of these souls will not have lived long enough to choose and, having died before that guilt-rendering moment, are covered by Christ's sacrifice. Those who live past the age of accountability --and only God knows when that is for each individual--will be a minority of mankind and, Richardson affirms (as does the Bible), will stand before God in judgment and account for what they did with His truth. Though a majority of people who live past the age of accountability are probably lost (in light of the `few' who `find' the straight gate), this majority of a small minority will still be a minority of the total. Heaven thus "wins" both the moral victory at the Cross and the quantitative victory of souls created in God's image spending eternity with Him!

Richardson's differentiations (pp. 75-79) between Universalism, Exclusivism and Inclusivism show Simpson is wrong in equating Universalism and Inclusivism. In saying that Exclusivists alone believe Christ is the only Way of salvation, and that Inclusivists believe all will be saved, Simpson errs: "Inclusivism then constitutes a denial of a core doctrine of the Faith: 'Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone'." Simpson says the author does not believe this, denies the truth, is divisive and should be rejected. This is one part of his review that made me question if Simpson read the whole book, which often affirms the author's belief (and by extension, all Inclusivists) in Bible truths about salvation--contrary to Simpson's review. Examples: on pg. 100, "Christ's work at Calvary is still the one and only atonement for sin." Pg. 130: "Every sermon I have ever preached...has acknowledged Jesus Christ by name as the one and only Son of God and Savior of mankind." Pg. 143: "Thank you, Exclusivist pastors and theologians, for teaching us about the plenary inspiration of Scripture, the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the Virgin Birth, the Atonement, the physical resurrection of our Lord, the Second Coming, the new birth, justification by faith, sanctification, and more. We [Inclusivists] hold all of these truths dear, as do you." Pg. 163, concepts of universal salvation or universal reprobation are "unacceptable, of course." Pg. 173, "God's only remedy for sin provided via the atonement of Jesus Christ." And on and on.

The last third of Simpson's review oddly digresses to topics not even in the book, excoriating people and organizations the author doesn't mention. Simpson wrongly assumes the author's leadership of a group with which he is not affiliated. Such a conclusion is incompatible with even a cursory reading of Heaven Wins. This, along with Simpson's unrelated rant about Bible translations "including the names of false gods placed there by a number of translation societies," suggest that Simpson has 'an axe to grind' apart from this book's content.

It seems to me that if Simpson were even partly correct that Richardson contradicts the Bible and promotes universal salvation (which the book shows he does not), the final part of Heaven Wins wouldn't exist. There we see Richardson's emphasis on Christ's Great Commission that reaffirmed God's plan--articulated from Genesis through Revelation--to bring "some from every nation, tribe, people and tongue" (Rev. 7:9) to Himself. The author exposes sobering factors that caused the Church's initial obedience to Christ's mandate to eventually wane and the exponential growth of Christianity to stop, with tragic results. Shocking primary source quotations from several Christian 'leaders' in history are weighed in light of critical evaluation of their impact. Richardson appeals passionately to all Christians everywhere to obey the Lord's command. This aligns with similar appeals found in Richardson's other books (also sold on Amazon) that likely account for his recognition as a missionary statesman ever reminding the Church of her raison d'être.

Thank you for your review. I have not read this book, but have read other books of Richardson's in the past. According to Simpson's review, it sounded like Richardson had gone apostate. I was saddened by that thought. But your review was thorough, concise, and very explanatory. I agree that so many people die before the age of accountability, but didn't know the percentage was so high!
Thank you for taking time to write this review. I do appreciate it, and now can be relieved that someone I have looked up to for so long has not gone off on the deep end, as so many have!! I do appreciate your work on this!!

"Think it Through",
First, I have not read the book "Heaven Wins". I have however been able to spend several hours with Don Richardson (who is a thoughtful, delightful and insightful man) one on one and during our time, he discussed "Heaven Wins". Based on what I understood Richardson to say about the book, I completely disagree with Simpson's assessment of it and also wonder if he even took time to read it.
Now then please do not hear me endorsing the book nor Don Richardson's theology because Im not. I only write because I think Don Richardson deserves a fair review because I do not think Simpson offered one.
Blessings