I have a disclaimer to begin. This book is about the Christian faith. While born and raised Catholic, that practice has long since lapsed. I follow a spiritual path, but one not wedded to a monotheistic tradition. In reviewing this book, I have tried to maintain as open a mind as possible. I am a seasoned academic scholar and appreciate the pursuit of ‘objectivity’ while understanding this is an ideal and never a reality. However, I have tried to maintain a neutral eye on the author’s words and their interpretations of the “divine revelations” experienced by her young daughters. If this review in any way offends followers of Christianity or another faith, this is not my attention. However, I believe in maintaining the integrity of the reviews I write.
Snatched Up To Heaven provides an account of Jemima Paul’s two daughters' “dream[s] about heaven.” Aged two and four years old, Deepika and Priyanka began recounting their wondrous experiences to their parents. Initially, Jemima was unsure what to make of this. Soon, however, her thinking changed, under the belief that “even if just some of the claimed revelations were true, surely they would conclusively substantiate what the Bible says about our choice of eternal destinies—and more importantly, the way to life eternal.”
The author has structured the work in two parts, Heaven and Hell, each containing ten chapters centered on themes emerging from the girls’ dreams, e.g. What Heaven Was Like, Getting to Hell. Each chapter begins with a brief recount, in the author’s words, of the children’s experiences, under the heading Kids’ Visions. Paul then interprets these retellings in line with Bible verses. From this reader’s perspective, herein lays the underlying problem with a work of this kind, i.e. the presumptions upon which conclusions emerge. Often the link between what the children say and the connection with verses from the Book can be incredibly tenuous. As an example, Chapter 2, What Heaven Was Like. The oldest child, Priyanka, describes this realm as “the most beautiful place they had ever seen. It was very tall and was glowing with a big rainbow around it.” This, according to the author, equates to Revelation 4:3, “A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.” Hence, the Bible’s merest mention of a rainbow, is to the author, proof of Priyanka’s divine revelation.
Each chapter contains examples of these projections. The author, when interpreting the children’s words, often uses refrains such as “which could mean”, “it isn’t completely unrealistic to imagine” and “I am convinced.” Never once do the children directly name-check the Bible. But because their visions often include mention of Hell, Heaven, Jesus, and God, to the author’s mind, these recounts can be nothing but biblical revelations. The two young girls attend Sunday School. The author and her husband, Arvind, hold a deep religious conviction. It is likely their home contains Christian artifacts. However, never once is there any consideration that the children’s words represent interpretations of their environment.
In the foreword offered by Dr. Uday Balasundaram, a long-time fellow congregant of the author, this book reflects “the sincerity of Jemima’s faith.” As someone not so-rooted in the Christian church, this work largely smacks of wishful thinking. But of course, readers like me are not the target audience for this work. If already holding a firm belief that the Book of the Law is a literal text, then this work offers plenty. For to view the utterances of these babes as merely the innocent recitation of divine revelation is to be beholden to verses from the text claiming children will “utter prophecies” as the author alludes. Another positive of the work is the overall quality of the writing, which is good, and at 130 pages is not an overly taxing read. An additional nice touch is the inclusion of drawings produced by the children reflecting their revelations. Likewise, the links to YouTube videos allow the reader to hear and see for themselves the children whose words drive this work.
If a believer, this work is likely to reinforce your faith. If a skeptic, there is little to convince.