14 Responses

1. Love to see the testimony of former Muslims who have converted to Christianity. Glory be to God! Having not read her book, but given the recent rash of books and movies (e.g. Heaven is For Real) with a ‘trip to heaven’ theme, I can only hope that her use of the phrase “Extraordinary Journey to Heaven” is metaphoric since to claim such an actual physical occurrence is counter to Scripture:

   And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the Son of man which is in heaven. [John 3:13 KJV]

   -Paul
   http://www.HarpazoTV.com

2. Paul:

   I can only hope that her use of the phrase “Extraordinary Journey to Heaven” is metaphoric since to claim such an actual physical occurrence is counter to Scripture

   You’ve misapplied this verse. First, the biblical concept of “heaven” involves three heavens. And of course, Jesus is the only resurrected and sinless man who has ascended to heaven. So one needs to be quite specific regarding what this verse is, or is not saying. But to claim that no one can have a heavenly encounter or that no one ever goes to heaven (as those who support soul sleep or death argue) I believe is simply not Scriptural. Obviously, Paul was not being unbiblical when he made the following claim:

   I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 2 Corinthians 12:2

   Paul obviously understood the difference between a Greek-philosophical worldview and the Hebraic worldview. He would not have even suggested that a spiritual ascent to heaven were a possibility if it were impossible.

   Elijah also was taken to heaven:

   “Then it came about as they were going along and talking, that behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.” 2 Kings 2:11

   Arguably, Enoch as well. (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5)

3. Samaa recently came to speak in Bethel’s school of supernatural ministry (where I work on the audio team). Her message was very refreshing to hear, and It made me wonder what her perspectives regarding Islamic eschatology was.

4. Hey Joel, it’s great to see that her book is finally being released. I know her personally and have worked in her home country. I can vouch that her testimony is true and very powerful! It’s great to see how Jesus is working and revealing Himself in so many closed countries. Thanks for your ministry Joel, you are a blessing!

5. Looking forward to this. I just finished Nabeel Qureshi’s book which I found very enjoyable. He was able to intertwine basic Islam with basic apologetics into the narrative of his journey to Christ. It was a very encouraging book.

6. Joel,

   Tim Warner has some very interesting thoughts on 2 Corinthians 12 here:

   http://oasischristianchurch.org/forum.html#/discussion/114/2-corinthians-12-did-paul-astral-travel-have-an-out-of-body-experience

   I think his reasoning is very sound.

7. Brian,

   Yes, I have read Tim’s explanations of this. I love Tim. I think he knows I value his ministry very much. But his reasoning on this particular matter doesn’t personally work for me at all. His first and primary argument is simply that Paul could never have inferred an out of body experience, as Tim believes this would validate a Platonic worldview of the soul. Thus Tim begins with an assumption that it is impossible for Paul to have said what he did, (even though he did). Thus Tim then seeks to find a reason why Paul said what he did, without actually meaning what he said. He does this with a fairly long explanation. His explanation summarized is that Paul was essentially tipping his hat to the pagans and their wrong ideas because they were so widespread in that area. This doesn’t make sense to me at all. If Paul was seeking to correct pagan ideas, he would not have allowed for the possibility of an out of body experience. Yet he does. If an out of body experience were an impossibility according to the biblical worldview, then Paul would never have said what he did. Such would have only led to further confusion, not clarity. I simply don’t see how it could be otherwise.

   Second Tim argues that Paul merely had a visionary experience. Yet Paul says that he was “caught up” to the third heaven, whether in the body or not, he is unsure. Paul does not speak of simply “seeing” the third heavens. This was not merely what Peter experienced with his vision of the clean and unclean animals. The word Paul harpazo is the same word used for the rapture. Paul used strong language to communicate that it was more than a simple vision.

   Now, to be very clear, I obviously agree with Tim that Greek philosophical worldview/Gnosticism was one of the two biggest deceptions that Paul was wrestling with in his ministry (the other being Judaizers). However, it is dangerous to assume that the Platonic and Hebraic world views are literally the precise antithesis of one another down to every detail. Yes, they are in fundamental conflict on many issues, but they are not mirror images of one another on every point. There are some areas of finer overlap. This must be acknowledged. As Paul reveals, I think quite directly here, the issue of the soul being able to leave the body is one such area. It is dangerous to begin by assuming that you fully understand every aspect of the Greek worldview and then interpret Scripture always assuming that it is precisely the complete opposite of that. This brings a very strong assumption to the Scriptures that forces strained interpretations, such as in this case. I think it leads to eisegesis rather then exegesis.

   I’ve looked at this passage from every angle, have been honest with the Holy Sprit, and I believe Paul was allowing for an out of body experience. I simply can’t see it as him saint anything otherwise. I look at Tim’s explanations, and I go back and read Paul’s words, and Tim’s explanations simply do not work. I cannot get around this. The same applies to Paul’s words in Philippians 1:23, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8,and Luke 16 and the episode of Lazarus and the rich ruler, or the souls in heaven in Revelation 6:9-11, 20:4.

   In the case of my friend btw, she did not have a NDE, but was actually physically dead for sometime. A section of her skull was blown off with her brain being exposed. A bomb blew up literally right next to her head. Her story is truly worth considering. She saw around a dozen of her friends and fellow believers blow apart that day. I think that arguing these things for the most part is somewhat fruitless. Not that this will stop Christians from doing so, as we seem to enjoy arguing over small matters while the world burns around us. The matter will be resolved soon enough, after we die. But thank God, there are no online forums after death. Even if there were, we would too busy pruning our fig trees and grape vines to even care.

   Blessings!

8. Thank goodness there is more to life than news reports like this http://blazingcatfur.blogspot.ca/2014/05/turkish-fm-davutoglu-jerusalem-is.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/NWSav+%28Blazing+Cat+Fur%29 which cause eyes to roll, or blood pressure to rise.

9. I just finished Nabeel Qureshi’s book, which is so amazing, and look forward to reading this new one.

10. >>I think that arguing these things for the most part is somewhat fruitless. Not that this will stop Christians from doing so, as we seem to enjoy arguing over small matters while the world burns around us.

    Exactly, that’s how I see it, too. Straining at gnats.

    What a blessing this was. I’d like to read her story.

11. Just finished “face to face with Jesus.” Amazingly powerful testimony and also quite convicting as well. So glad I read the book. God bless her!

12. Just wondering if there are any interviews anywhere on youtube that I can watch of Ms. Habib. I have not read her book yet but would like to see her speak about her experience.

13. No, because she hides her identity. She still has family in the nation where she is from and wishes to protect them from persecution. Her story is so good. The book is about much much more than her heavenly experience. It is an overall excellent story. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

14. I just read Samaa’s book. It was very invigorating and inspiring. Though Ive been a Christian for many years, and am in the ministry, Ive struggled allot with the fear of man, something Im pressing in to be freed from. Her testimony sure puts a new perspective on what it means to ‘seated with Him in the heavenly places with Christ’ and why that helps us come to grips with Spirit-filled boldness and love. Great Book.