Book Review: Touching Heaven by Dr. Chauncey Crandall

John 14:2-3(NIV)

In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

This book has the potential to challenge
boundaries and break down the walls
of hopelessness.

Overview

How a doctor's glimpses of eternity confirmed everything he believed about God, suffering, life on earth, and what happens after death. 

Dr. Chauncey Crandall knows his patients well. When they are dying, he sits at the bedside with them and holds their hands. He prays with them. Sometimes he can feel what they feel and see what they see. At other times his patients have near-death experiences and "come back" with astonishing descriptions of the afterlife. In TOUCHING HEAVEN, Dr. Crandall reveals how what he has seen and heard has convinced him that God is real, that we are created for a divine purpose, that death is not the end, that we will see our departed loved ones again, and that we are closer to the next world than we think.

My Personal Review:

Touching Heaven by Dr. Chauncey Crandall is a very unique and thought provoking book.

https://chaunceycrandall.com/

Touching Heaven by Dr. Chauncey Crandall piqued my interest for many reasons. At the top of my list is that the author is a cardiologist. Dr. Crandall’s experience and background in medicine is impressive. The book states that, “He is chief of the cardiovascular transplant program at the Palm Beach Cardiovascular Clinic in Palm Beach Gardens and is on staff at three medical centers.” Having worked for fifteen years as an RN, CCRN in a Cardiac
Intensive Care Unit myself, I am always drawn to the medical story, especially acute cardiac related events. There are many detailed stories within the book that chronicle the resuscitation procedures given to a dying patient. I was quickly immersed in the bedside care and high level of energy that fuels these life retrieving protocols. One particular narrative Dr. Crandall shares, where by the defibrillator did not fire when discharged, had me on the edge of my seat. That is a nightmare scenario for a code blue team!

 A close second on my list for reading this book is the idea that Touching Heaven intersects faith with facts. The collision of spiritual and physical will always make for an interesting read. I am a very logical, formulaic, algorithm sort of gal, so when I have an opportunity to be stretched outside of my comfort zone to a place that is intangible, I will never turn that opportunity down.  

Finally, I was drawn to this book simply because the author is courageously discussing heaven within the context of his personal experiences and observations. Given today’s culture, I feel this is a brave thing to do. I have much admiration for anyone who will take a stand on their convictions with such passion and unwavering resolve. I wanted to digest an evangelical physician’s perspective on healing, heaven, and our earthly purpose. I was not disappointed.  

Touching Heaven is a very personal story of life events in the author’s life. Dr. Crandall’s desire to share the importance of inviting Christ into every situation could not be missed. He effectively communicates the message that we do not need to wait to “go to heaven”, but rather the kingdom of God is wherever believers call upon the name of Christ. One of the most powerful statements in the book encompasses this idea. Dr. Crandall writes, “As we take up our spiritual authority, the situation we’re in switches from defeat and darkness and death to victory and light and life. This is the invisible but very real power of the kingdom of heaven.”

Dr. Crandall boldly interprets a large volume of scripture references throughout this book. His Biblical knowledge and application of God’s word within the pages of this work are inspiring. The unfathomable premature death of his son in the peak of his life, make the author’s testimony personal, credible, and urgent. Crandall’s transparency and willingness to share the painful grief, questions, and finally the assurance he found in Christ, provide enough content for an entire book all on its own!  

I read through the pages of Touching Heaven by Dr. Chauncey Crandall with an open mind, as well as a sensitive heart. I greatly appreciated all of the faith filled stories of healing that the author conveyed have taken place in a direct response to Jesus being “invited into your situation.” This is a beautiful and intriguing work. Crandall’s writing has the potential to challenge boundaries and tear down walls of hopelessness.

Thank you to Faith Words Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc for requesting my review and supplying me with a copy of Touching Heaven by Dr. Chauncey Crandall. I was not required to write a favorable assessment, but only to completely read this book and give my honest opinion.