The Case for Heaven

The film seems to be haphazardly put together with not that much new information/thoughts on the afterlife. Having said that it's not a bad starting point for someone who is a novice to Christ. It makes some deep and profound points but they are made somewhat insignificant due to the constant and self indulgences/biography of the lead characters.

I've read the wonderful book by Lee Strobel, and found it provided answers to the many questions that people have about what happens after a person dies, and what heaven is like if it's real. I was excited to hear about a movie based on the book and did not want to miss it.

I found the movie very good and would recommend it to anyone. A concern is that the movie did not seem to be on-track with the "case for heaven" as the book, and at times it deviated into areas that were not in the book. Occasionally I found myself asking, "How does this support the case for heaven?" The answer was not clear to me. Also I noticed that several topics in the book (such as whether there is evidence for reincarnation instead of heaven) was not mentioned at all.

Is it a good movie you should see? Yes. Does it represent the material in the book well? Only partially. So even if you see the movie, be sure to read the book as it contains so much more I wish had been included.

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.

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!

Such a great film for those who are seeking answers and had some misconceptions growing up in the church. Even those who did not grow up in the church this is a great investigation into what happens to us after we die. Never stop seeking. I was so fortunate to be able to see this film during the three days it was out in theaters. Looking forward to it streaming. Would love to be able to see the extra's.