CIM Briefing Papers

C.I.M. Outline #51

                     NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES

I.  Introduction

    A.  The Experience

        She had just undergone a hysterectomy.  She was wheeled
        to the recovery room, but alas, confusion among the
        nightshift nurses left her to hemorrhage.  With no one by
        her side she "died."  Five hours later she "returned to
        life."  During this time she floated out of her body,
        went down a dark tunnel and was met by a beam of light. 
        She was then embraced by a being she claimed was Jesus
        who then preceded to give her a guided tour of heaven
        interspersed with some religious teachings.  The being
        she claimed was Jesus then reluctantly informed her that
        her time on earth was not yet over.  She then was
        revived.  Years later she wrote about her experience and
        it was published by an obscure publisher.  She dedicated
        her book to "My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  It became
        a record-breaking best-seller (EMBRACING THE LIGHT).  The
        author's name is Betty Eadie.

        Eadie's book, EMBRACING THE LIGHT, is a mixture of Mormon
        doctrine, Native American religion, and new age babble. 
        For a good critique of this best-seller, see EMBRACED BY
        THE LIGHT AND THE BIBLE by Richard Abanes, and, DECEIVED
        BY THE LIGHT by Douglas Groothius. 

    B.  The Near Death Phenomenon

        Betty Eadie is not the only one who has claimed this
        strange experience.  In an outdated, 1982 Gallop poll,
        15% of Americans claimed to have had a mystical
        experience during a close brush with death.  This
        translates into 23 million americans!  While the
        experiences vary a great deal, many tell of coming out of
        their bodies, hovering over it for a while, then finding
        themselves going down a dark tunnel only to emerge into a
        bright place with intense color.  Then they claim to
        telepathically communicate with a beam of light or some
        religious figure that expresses deep warmth and
        affection.  Ultimately they are told they must return
        because their work on earth is not finished.

        The near death phenomenon first came to our attention in
        1977, when READER'S DIGEST published in condensed form,
        the book, LIFE AFTER LIFE by psychiatrist, Dr. Raymond
        Moody.  Consequently, the book went on to sell over 8
        million copies.   

II.  Relevance of the Topic:
     A.  NDE's are causing a revival of interest in the age-old 
         questions about death and the possibility of an after-   
         life.  

         The reigning worldview for much of the Twentieth Century
         in Western culture has been that of Darwinian naturalism
         (materialism).  This worldview which does not accept the
         possibility of the supernatural or the spiritual
         dimension is now on the wane.  Research into Near Death
         Experiences as well as other brain research is raising
         serious questions about the materialistic and monist
         views of human nature.  (Monist:  the nature of man is
         singular in dimension, that is, a purely natural being
         of an electro-chemical nature.)

     B.  Studies have shown that those who have had an NDE
         undergo radical changes in worldview.  Almost all claim
         indescribable joy, love, beauty, peace and harmony,
         belief that death is pleasant, and development of
         psychic powers.  Millions of people who once weren't so
         sure  are now convinced that death is a wonderful
         experience and that there is no hell.   In the majority
         of cases, these changes are in stark contrast to
         traditional western worldviews, i.e. Christianity.  
         Most end up following worldviews that more closely
         resemble eastern religions or what is now known as New
         Age.  Some of these changes are:

         1.  Absolutes do not exist.  Many report that the        
             religious being they met approves of all religions.  
             There is no right or wrong worldview.

         2.  The Subjective is valued over the Objective. 
             Feelings and emotions are more important than truth
             or doctrine.  What is important is "knowledge" of
             the mystical realm.

         3.  Universalism.  Perhaps one of the most prevalent
             changes is the belief that all mankind will go to
             heaven, i.e., all will be saved.  There is no
             judgement or hell.  Many even report that the "beam
             of light" (or whatever) was totally uninterested or
             non-judgmental of any sins the person may have
             committed.  Some even reported that the "being" had
             a sense of humor about their sins!

         4.  Mediumism (contacting the dead).  Many, after their
             NDE, continued to have contact with departed
             spirits, or "spirit guides" as they are called. 
             Many showed an increase in psychic ability.

         5.  The Acceptance of death as pleasant.  An almost
             universal finding from the research is the total
             lack of any fear of death.  Most did not want to
             return to this life and were sad when informed they
             had to return. 

         6.  Dualism.  All (even some who consider themselves to
             be atheists) viewed life and man as dualistic. 
             There is both a spiritual reality as well as a
             physical reality.

         7.  The rejection of traditional religion.  Another
             almost universal finding is an intense interest in
             religion but not in traditional western religions
             (Christianity or Judaism).  In fact there is
             hostility toward traditional Christianity (read
             biblical) because of its teaching about hell and
             judgement.

III.  Major Explanations of the Phenomena:  Questions of Cause

      From current research there is no one certain cause of the
      phenomenon of NDE.  Several plausible explanations have
      been given:

      A.  Physiological or neurological:  Research has shown that
          stimulation of certain areas of the brain's limbic
          system can cause an out-of-body sensation.  It is also
          known that oxygen or sensory deprivation, or high
          fevers can also cause the syndrome.  Many conclude that
          it is simply a condition that occurs when the brain is
          under stress or is the process of shutting down.

      B.  Psychological:  Intense fear has been known to cause an
          out-of-body sensation.  For example, people have
          reported floating out of their bodies when an
          automobile accident seemed imminent even though one
          never occurred.  It also has been produced through
          hypnotic suggestion.

      C.  Pharmacological:  Certain drugs, depressants, or
          anesthetics have been known to cause an out-of-body
          sensation.  Nitrous oxide used in some dental offices
          is frequently reported as causing  the sensation. 
          Illegal drugs such as LSD and marijuana are also
          causative.  One study indicated that 44% of marijuana
          users have had an out-of-body experience.

      D.  Paranormal or occultic origin:  Contemporary occult
          groups and ancient mystical religions report and out-
          of-body experience with similar characteristics as the
          NDE using various forms of meditation and techniques
          derived from such ancient occult manuals as THE
          EGYPTIAN BOOK OF THE DEAD, and THE TIBETAN BOOK OF THE
          DEAD.

IV.  The Important Distinction between Death and Dying

     But were these people really dead?  The answer is of course,
     no.  They are resuscitations.  Contained within the
     definition of death is the idea of irrevocability.  While
     these people may have been "more dead" that any of us, they
     really were not dead.  There was still some residual bodily
     function.  What they were is near death.  We must make a
     distinction between death and dying.  Some of their vital
     signs had ceased such as breathing, heart beat, or even in
     some cases there was a flat EEG.  The point is that they
     were revived.  When the brain is undeniably dead there is no
     longer any possibility for consciousness (at least in this
     life).  The problem comes in determining this exact state. 
     EEG's are not always accurate and they can be misread. 
     Certain anesthetics, drugs, and hypothermia can cause a flat
     EEG.

     Death is a process.  It begins at the cellular level.  For
     death to occur there must be an elapsed time of non-function
     of vital organs.

V.  The Bible and Death

    A.  Biblical Definition of Death

        Biblically death occurs with the separation of the body
        from the soul(James 2:26).  It is not possible for us to
        know precisely when this occurs.  The Jews at the time of
        Christ believed that the soul hovered over the body for
        as long as three days.  This is the importance of Jesus
        waiting till the fourth day to raise Lazarus from the
        dead (Jn.11).

    B.  Christians have had NDE's without the occult trappings. 
        Many contemporary Christians report having pleasant NDE's
        such as seeing loved ones, Jesus, or angelic beings. 
        There are several persons who had an experience of the
        afterlife in the Bible, but strangely there is very
        little information given about what they might have
        experienced.  For further study of NT examples, see
        Lazarus (Jn.11), Paul (IICor. 12), Stephen (Acts 7),
        Jarius' daughter (Mk.5), and the widow's son (Lk. 7). 

    C.  What NDE's do confirm is that Satan is eager to exploit a
        person's brush with death.  He is described in the Bible
        as the angel of light (II Cor 11:4).  The common
        conception (his deception) is that he is this hideous-
        looking creature with horns and a pitchfork.  
       
        (For further information on the Bible and death see CIM
        Outline #34 "The Problem of Death and Resurrection.")

VI.  Some Implications of NDE and NDE Research
       
     A.  What can function outside of the body before death can
         function outside the body after death.  This is not
         proof of a soul or the afterlife, but it is the strong
         implication.  How consciousness and personal identity
         can be maintained apart from the brain is still
         unexplained mystery but nevertheless a truth affirmed by
         Christians.

     B.  There is startling evidence from NDE research that
         cannot be explained on a natural basis.  Some having the
         experience (while supposedly unconscious) are able to
         report in specific detail what has transpired with loved
         ones in other rooms or even from a great distance while
         they were in that state.  Some awoke knowing about
         events that had occurred miles away before even their
         attendants or those by their side knew about them.  For
         examples of these see Habermas and Moreland,
         IMMORTALITY: THE OTHER SIDE OF DEATH, pp. 73-105.

     C.  There is also much evidence of negative NDE's.  Most of
         the literature. however, does not report this.  One
         researcher has documented many cases during which people
         reported going to hell.  See the work of Maurice
         Rawlings BEYOND DEATH'S DOOR.

VIII.  Conclusion

       The subject of death is bound to be a major area for
       Satanic confusion and deceit.  From Eden to the present he
       is still telling people his original lie:  "You shall not
       surely die."

IX.  For Further Study

     Abanes, Richard.  EMBRACED BY THE LIGHT AND THE BIBLE.
     Anderson, J. Kerby.  LIFE, DEATH AND BEYOND.
     Ankerberg, John, and Weldon, John.  THE FACTS ON LIFE AFTER
             DEATH.
     Groothius, Douglas.  DECEIVED BY THE LIGHT.
     Habermas, Gary R., and Moreland, J.P.  IMMORTALITY:  THE 
        OTHER SIDE OF DEATH.
     Swihart, Phillip J.  THE EDGE OF DEATH.   
 
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