Near Death Experiences
Near death experiences, or NDEs as they are often called, are intriguing and even inspiring. For almost 20 years, hundreds of thousands of people interested in the subject of life after death have been captivated by NDEs. Much attention is focused on some of the common phenomena associated with NDEs: the sense that one is dead, looking down on one's body, traveling down a tunnel or dark passageway, seeing a bright light, meeting other persons or supernatural beings, participating in a life review, reentering one's body, or seeing beautiful scenery. In fact, in a 1982 Gallup survey nearly 23 million Americans claimed to have been close to death and had something to tell about it.5
Are these experiences only subjective? Is this just something for science fiction movies and spiritual fanatics, or are any of these stories true objective reality. What evidence, if any, can be given in their support? What can NDEs tell us about possible life beyond death?
At first, the early publications dealing with these experiences were unusually popular. They reported the claims of those who came close to death and survived and often used some rather fantastic stories to support their "findings." But studies since that time have become much more empirical and scientific. More recent data have effectively presented strong evidence for a minimal view of life after death and the existence of consciousness apart from the physical body.6
In their book Immortality, the Other Side of Death, researchers and authors Gary R. Habermas and J.P. Moreland list numerous corroborated reports detailing a number of NDEs. Many cases have been gathered in which dying persons were able to view individuals, events, or circumstances around them, or even other places, with amazing accuracy after coming close to dying or being pronounced clinically dead. Some of the descriptions were of occurrences that happened even when the patients were comatose. In other words, the research shows that these subjects reported data that would not normally have been in the range of their senses even if they were fully conscious at the time.
In one case, a girl named Katie had almost drowned in a pool. After her emergency room resuscitation, a CAT scan showed massive brain swelling, and her doctor had an artificial lung machine attached to her to keep her breathing. She was given a 10 percent chance to survive. But three days later she totally recovered and told an amazing story. She accurately described the physical characteristics of the doctors involved in her resuscitation, details of the hospital rooms she was taken into, and reported particulars of the specific medical procedures used on her, even though she was pronounced "profoundly comatose," with her eyes closed, during the entire time.7
Other fascinating cases involve a number of blind persons. A chemist, after being blinded a year earlier in an accident, correctly reported the visual details surrounding his near death experience. Other individuals who had been blind for years (and were tested for blindness again afterward) accurately described the design and colors of clothing and jewelry worn by those around them when they almost died. Habermas and Moreland report that these cases are not rare; they are unexpectedly common.
Even though these stories were checked and rechecked for the accuracy and truthfulness of the victim's claims, it still can be difficult to believe these amazing events. Is there a way to scientifically measure NDEs to provide more objective evidence?
Some individuals who have had NDEs have actually registered an absence of brain waives. It is fascinating to consider, therefore, that some of the most vivid memories in the lives of these people happened while their brains actually registered no known activity. Flat brain waves on the EEG, when present for long periods of time, are the chief contemporary definition of natural death.8 So ordinarily, life during such times appears to be powerful evidence that human consciousness may exist after death.
And we have such evidence. As a specific example, a woman who had both a flat EEG reading and no vital signs had been declared dead. But she spontaneously revived about three-and-a-half hours later. In fact, she regained consciousness and lifted the sheet off her face as she was being taken to the morgue by an orderly! Then she reported that she had floated over her body during the resuscitation attempts. She precisely described not only the procedures that were used in her attempted rescue but also the number of persons who came into the hospital room and what they said. All this happened after she had no brain activity whatsoever.9
All the claims were carefully checked with the medical records and the doctors who were present. It was determined that her entire description was correct, even though her EEG reading had been flat during that entire time. Kind of spooky, but the facts don't lie.
The One Who Knows
We've looked at some philosophical reasons for accepting life after death, as well as evidence based on scientific research verifying the rationality of what that philosophy shows. Need more evidence?
If someone told you with authentic authority that there is a soul and it survives after a physical death, what would you think? Perhaps this person would talk about immortality, what it's like, and what happens to your soul after you die. Suppose this person then spoke about his own experiences, his own death, how he survived it, and how you could be certain your soul would survive physical death.
There was such a person who did speak about the soul and gave his own evidence for its existence. That person was Jesus Christ.
Jesus challenges us to consider the significance of our achievements against the backdrop of the spiritual condition of our soul.10 He taught that our souls would exist for eternity, even after our physical bodies have died.11 He showed us that we can find life for our soul, and he pointed us to himself as the person in whom we could find that life.12
But there's something that stops us from seeking out Jesus, and that relationship our soul wants with him. It's like a blockade between our soul and him. That barrier is sin.13 It taints our soul and our even our physical life. This sin we harbor in our lives is a result of a rebellious soul toward God. That's why we die. It's the price we pay for living a life apart from God.
So what can we do about the hopelessness of our own soul? Fortunately for us, God provided the solution in Jesus. He removed that barrier between us and God. He died for us, so we wouldn't have to. Of course, we're all going to die physically, but we can be certain our soul will continue living on. Our souls will either live on with God, or be forever separated from him.
Since Jesus gave us himself, he offered two solutions for our soul. We can accept his way, or reject it and pay the consequences. It's quite simple. That's the beauty of the message of Jesus. We can receive Christ into our lives, guaranteeing our soul's existence with God for eternity.
Then again, anyone could offer this solution. But what makes the claims of Jesus valid is that he did die, and then rose again.14 In fact, the religion that bears his name-Christianity-totally relies on his resurrection for its validity. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then why believe anything he says?
Because of Jesus and what he did, we no longer need to fear death. Do you want to have a spiritual connection with God?15 This is your decision, no one else can make it for you. If you want to begin a new relationship with God, you can do so right now by asking him to forgive you and come into your life. You can know with certainty the condition of your soul after you die.16 Jesus said, "Behold I stand at the door [of your life] and knock, If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in [to your life]."17
God is ready to welcome you into that new relationship. You can express your heart to him right now and place your trust in Jesus Christ. Prayer is one way to express your heart to God. It's simply talking with God. If you're not sure what to say, this may help:
"Jesus, I need you. Thank you for dying for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and guaranteeing my soul's existence with you for eternity. Amen. "
Do these words express the desire of your heart? If so, you can pray through them right now. God is listening. Placing your faith in Jesus means he'll come into your life as he has promised. This will begin a lifelong relationship with him that will grow deeper and more intimate as you get to know Him better.
Your soul will never be the same!
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Matt Koschmann is a graduate student at the University of New Mexico. Copyright 2000 EveryStudent.com. Used with permission.
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