Colton Burpo maintains "Heaven is for Real" is true despite Alex Malarkey's revelation that he lied in "The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven"

By Staff Writer

Jan 18 2015, 16:12 PM EST

After Alex Malarkey's retraction of his story about going to Heaven, "Heaven is For Real' subject Colton Burpo assured everyone that the story in his book about his own journey to the afterlife is real.

According to Christian Today, Burpo's statement published on his website aimed to clarify that unlike Malarkey's, his story of visiting Heaven when he was 4 after dying on the operating table is true. Burpo states, "I just wanted to take a second and let everyone know that I stand by my story found in the book 'Heaven is for Real.' I still remember my experience in Heaven. I want to keep telling people about my experience because it has given hope to so many people."

Burpo also maintains that he was not forced into telling the story. "I hope that my story continues to point people to Jesus. He really, really loves you," Burpo claims. Burpo's story, written by his father Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent, has already been made into a movie starring Greg Kinnear, which earned over $100million.

Burpo's statement comes after "The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven" co-author Alex Malarkey revealed that his story was untrue. Alex and his father, Kevin Malarkey, wrote the book about Kevin's supposed experience after a car accident at age 6 in 2004.

However, Malarkey has revealed that the story was only aimed at getting attention.

Malarkey's confession also came with a message to "Sellers, Buyers, and Marketers of Heaven Tourism" in the form of an open letter. Malarkey says, "Those who market these materials must be called to repent."

USA Today reports that Tyndale House will halt on publishing Malarkey's book, first published 2010, after the retraction.

Confirmation of the Christian publisher pulling back on the book's publication came on Friday, mentions ABC News.

Malarkey and Burpo's stories are not the only ones about celestial visits. "Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife," written by Eben Alexander, "To Heaven and Back: A Doctor's Extraordinary Account of Her Death, Heaven, Angels, and Life Again: A True Story," penned by Mary Neal, and "90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life," by Don Piper also exist.