Date

5-23-2025

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics (MA)

Chair

Laurie A Schweinsberg

Keywords

near-death experience, out-of-body experience, soul, body

Disciplines

Christianity

Abstract

Near-death experiences (NDEs) and out-of-body experiences (OBEs), as reported by experiencers, contradict beliefs that when a person dies, they cease to exist. This view is opposite to the teachings of Jesus who taught that there is a separation between body and soul and the Apostle Paul who taught there is life after death. NDEs, and especially OBEs, support biblical teachings and the belief that the soul can be separate from the body. Case reports from the literature demonstrate veridical OBEs and encounters with deceased loved ones. Experiencers state that NDEs and OBEs are real in contrast to the arguments of naturalists that they simply occur in the dying brain like dreams, hallucinations or illusions. Arguments against the validity of NDEs, OBEs, and the concept of a separate soul and body stand in contrast with the arguments in defense of NDEs, OBEs, and the plausibility of a separate soul and body. An honest review of literature regarding NDEs, and OBEs does support the plausibility of a separate soul and body as well as the possibility of life after death.

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