Near-Death Experiences

Heaven is for Real 4-yr-old Colton Burpo, who believes he visited heaven while gravely ill “Heaven is for real, but not because Colton Burpo says so.” (responsivereiding.com) 2

Near-Death Experiences  Not Bible language, 1 Peter 4:11; John 11:11-14, 39; Job 16:22  Death may be near, but still alive, 1 Kings 2:1-2; 2 Timothy 4:6  Some connect Acts 14:19 with 2 Cor. 12:2-4 trying to give Biblical “proof” for NDE  NDE not the same as death, Jas. 2:26; Acts 7:59-60  Finality in death, Luke 23:46; Acts 5:5, 10 3

Near-Death Experiences  Experience does not reveal or validate divine truth, John 16:13; Mark 16:17-18, 20  NDE rely upon reported experiences, recollections, speculations… “…a lot of what is reported in the book (beyond the verifiable historical facts), is all dependent upon what may or may not be the genuine experience, or dreams, or hallucinations or combinations of these – of 4 year old Colton Burpo.” (Ibid) 4

Near-Death Experiences  Experience does not reveal or validate divine truth, John 16:13; Mark 16:17-18, 20  Faith comes from God’s word, not human experiences, Romans 10:17  Heart can deceive, 1 Cor. 10:12; Acts 26:9-11  Why so few NDE about HELL? 5

Returning from the Dead Lazarus, John 11 Widow of Nain’s son, Luke 7 Jairus’ daughter, Luke 8 Saints after crucifixion, Matthew 27 Dorcas, Acts 9 Eutychus, Acts 20 Jesus, Luke 24 6

Returning from the Dead No doubt, Luke 8:52-53 No experiences told after People brought to faith by knowing dead people were now alive, Jno. 11:45; 12:9-11, 17 Faith built on testimony of God’s word, not subjective reports, Rom. 10:17 -Eph. 3:3-4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jno. 17:17 7

Near-Death Experiences “So, if you have read the book, and have found your “faith” bolstered by it or your soul encouraged by it, my question to you is – Why? Why not the Bible? Why this story – and not the authoritative one? What does this say about your own attitude toward Scripture? What does it say about your understanding of Scripture? What does it say about your approach to truth – and how it is found, discerned and processed? Why does this strike a chord with you (sic) God’s own Word to you does not?” (responsivereiding.com) 8

Near Death Experiences 9 “If one were to believe what these best-sellers are promoting, then everyone is going to Heaven.” “What Do We Know About Heaven?”, Editor’s Note, Think, Feb 2013, p. 4 One who claims truth but speaks error is not from God, Jer. 23:28-32; Gal. 1:8-9