CFS-WB-CH07
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Correlations Between the Resurrection of Jesus and<br />
Near-Death Experiences<br />
As we began to explore in Unit 1, we can also find some interesting parallels<br />
between Jesus’ Resurrection and the accounts of people who<br />
have had near death experiences (NDEs). Part of the significance of<br />
Jesus’ Resurrection, in addition to establishing His own divine power, is<br />
to show us the new life for which believers will be destined.<br />
What do we know of our own future after combining the evidence<br />
of Christian revelation and NDEs? There are a few recurring details in<br />
accounts of near-death experiences that correlate with details of Jesus’<br />
Resurrection:<br />
Theophany: A profound<br />
manifestation, or revelation,<br />
of God.<br />
1. Human beings are not limited to corporeal life or the physical<br />
world — we have a transphysical consciousness and spiritual embodiment<br />
that can survive bodily death. In NDEs, people experience<br />
continued conscious awareness after medical brain death<br />
has occurred. Furthermore, when patients encounter deceased<br />
relatives and friends, they report that they have a recognizable<br />
body (looking similar to the body they had as a young adult — and<br />
without physical imperfections). This continued spiritual embodiment<br />
and consciousness after death is also demonstrated by<br />
Jesus’ Resurrection appearance — though Jesus’ body is not just<br />
spiritualized, but glorified, appearing like a manifestation of God<br />
(a theophany).<br />
2. The transphysical dimension of human beings has continuity with<br />
embodiment but is not limited by physical laws or structures.<br />
Several near-death experience accounts report an ability to see<br />
and hear as well as an ability to move beyond the confines of the<br />
room they were in, often reporting on events and conversations<br />
in other parts of the hospital that they could not have otherwise<br />
witnessed. Gospel accounts also ascribe to Christ’s glorified<br />
body a similar freedom from physical laws and boundaries (e.g.<br />
passing through walls).<br />
3. The transcendent deity (and the so-called other side) are<br />
overwhelmingly loving (from both NDEs and Jesus’ revelation).<br />
One of the more well-known details of near-death experiences,<br />
perhaps, is the vision of a white light. Many people spontaneously<br />
use the adjective loving to describe this light, often portraying<br />
this love as not just obvious but even overwhelming. Not only is<br />
God’s unconditional love a central teaching of Jesus, but it is also<br />
© Sophia Institute for Teachers<br />
Unit 3, Chapter 7: Evidence for Jesus’ Divinity<br />
139