CFS-WB-CH07

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