I have not read Don Piper’s book, 90 Minutes in Heaven. Nor, at least at this point, do I plan to do so.
As I select books to read, I consider several criteria:
- is it written by an author that I know, trust, and enjoy?
- is it about a topic that is either theologically or personally important (some area that I need growth in, either in grace or knowledge)?
- is it a widely accepted classic that I’ve yet to read?
- has it been recommended to me by at least three other people who I trust?
- is it a culturally popular book that may be a danger to the flock and that I want to read in order to cultivate a response?
Of those possible reasons to read the book, I don’t know Don Piper (no relation to John Piper), while the topic of heaven is important, I’ve found no compelling reason to put this volume at the top of that topic’s reading list, it is not in any way considered a classic book and not only has no one recommended the book to me, those who’ve read it have raised significant concerns about the book.
The only reason why I might read the book is the final one (and because of Don Piper’s recent speaking appearance in Granbury). But rather than read it and write a lengthy response, I choose instead to simply point to another reviewer whom I find to be consistently perceptive and dependable in his evaluations: Tim Challies. He has actually reviewed two books by Piper: 90 Minutes in Heaven and Heaven is Real.
Before reading either of Don Piper’s books, I recommend reading Challies’ reviews. And then I recommend you purchase and read Randy Alcorn’s book, Heaven.
Words of Grace 
90 Minutes in Heaven is a good book and Piper should be congratulated for sharing his Near Death Experience. Only readers should be aware of one serious mistake he makes in the book which is to jump from hearing songs praising Jesus and meeting fellow Christians in heaven to religious fundamentalism. Research of Near Death Experiences show that there is no evidence to support that heaven is exclusively for Christians, or a narrow interpretation of the Bible, as experiences of heaven happen in all cultures and religions. Cross cultural studies of Near Death Experiences show that the Golden Rule truly means that we must love our neighbor – even if this person is of another faith – and “hell” is not something we can simply throw around when we disagree with people. If you have not fallen asleep in Christ, or simply use reason as well, and want to know what people who have Near Death Experiences truly experience in Heaven, have a look at my book Behind 90 Minutes in Heaven.
Your comments demonstrate just how dangerous Don Piper’s book is. I understand that you have spent time studying near death experiences; however, I am not interested in research as much as I am in what God has revealed about Himself in His word — the Scriptures. There is one authority for living, and it is Scripture alone. And the Bible reveals the exact opposite of what you are proposing — heaven is exclusively for those who trust in Christ alone for their salvation. There is no other means of salvation from the wrath of God for our sins than by the person of Christ and the blood of Christ shed on the cross (Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:12). Every religion apart from Christianity places a priority on some supposed inherent righteousness of man, and Scripture says that there is no one who is righteous (Rom. 3:9ff) — no one who can attain to the perfect righteousness of God (Mt. 5:48) — so no one is able to reach heaven and the presence of God apart from some righteousness being attributed to him by some work outside of Himself. This is the great work of Christ — He took the unrighteous sins of those who believe in Him, enduring the wrath of God, and gave those believers His own righteousness so that they are viewed by God as if they had lived Christ’s life (2 Cor. 5:21).
And that is one of the dangers of a book like 90 Minutes in Heaven (and I suppose your book as well, since you endorse Piper’s book) — it confuses what it means to believe in Christ and who is qualified to get to heaven.
And as one final note, hell is not something that we “simply throw around when we disagree with people.” Hell is a reality that will be endured by most people (the road to heaven is narrow — Matt. 7:13-14 — in contrast to what you suggest). Since there is only one pathway to heaven and the presence of Christ and the Godhead, and since I fear the One who can cast people into hell (Lk. 12:5), I am adamant to maintain the purity of the gospel so that as many as possible will hear the true gospel.