Heavenly Heights & Beyond the Holy of Holies by Doug Hollidge 
 

'A remarkable book focusing on heaven from a long-serving Baptist minister - is sure to ignite the spiritual imagination' 

Heavenly Heights & Beyond the Holy of Holies
By Doug Hollidge  
Ecclesiastical Furnishers
Reviewed by David Coffey

It has been rightly observed that there is currently little discussion about heaven. In the catalogues of new book titles, the subject of heaven seems to have been eclipsed. This echoes the warning of C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity: ‘Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you will get neither.’ 

Doug Hollidge explores the neglect of focusing on heaven with a uniquely personal monograph, which Adrian Plass describes in his foreword as ‘a kind and quirky companion to stroll along beside those whose hearts have been broken.’

Inspired by his father's death to write his reflections on heaven, Doug has pondered the words of Jesus, ‘In my Father’s house are many rooms,’ leading to an imaginative spiritual exploration of ‘the rooms’ within God’s vast house. When his mother died, Doug added further reflections on the afterlife, which are included in the book. Creative illustrations from talented artists complement each section.

This book certainly offers pastoral value. Those experiencing ongoing grief will find here compassion, humour, and realism. The author, aged 87, draws on a profound well of wisdom and pastoral experience. At the end of the book, there are two reflections on sudden bereavement. The poem, The Walsingham Road, was written after the tragic death of a young woman, a member of the church community, who was involved in a fatal accident while cycling back from her Walsingham pilgrimage.

The second, Spurgeon’s College Ascension Day, commemorates a moment from Doug’s days as a student at Spurgeon’s in the 1960s. Like many former students of Spurgeon’s College, Doug shares that learning the college was closing was akin to hearing of the death of a close and much-loved friend. 
 
Another commendable aspect of the book is its emphasis on being heavenly-minded. If our citizenship is in heaven, then contemplating heaven provides the pattern for discipleship on earth. The Bible teaches us that true happiness comes from God alone, and full joy in God will not be realised in our earthly life. That is why we are called to live with a focus on heavenly things, and practising being heavenly-minded shapes our earthly priorities. In the words of Augustine: ‘There we shall rest and we shall see; we shall see and we shall love; we shall love and we shall praise. Behold what shall be in the end and shall not end.’

The Psalmist recognised this principle when he expressed his unwavering focus in worship (Psalm 27:4). Paul encourages this same emphasis on heavenly-minded thinking when he writes to the believers in Colossae (Colossians 3:1-3). Ten pages of the book are dedicated to biblical references that have stirred the author's creative imagination. 

Doug Hollidge has served as a Baptist minister for 61 years. During his ministerial training at Spurgeon’s College, he was one of the founding members of the renowned musical group The Venturers. His distinguished ministry was mainly based in London, with 34 years spent in the London Borough of Newham. 

Heavenly Heights is a remarkable book that is sure to ignite the spiritual imagination, and I wholeheartedly recommend it. Ecclesiastical Furnishers publishes it, and it costs £7.50, including postage and packing. It can be ordered from revrev@virginmedia.com.
 

David Coffey was General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain (1991-2005) and is a former President of the Baptist World Alliance.