8. The Near Death Experience Expert on Life After Death (w/guest: John Burke)

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Apr 16, 2025

In this insightful discussion, John Burke, a pastor and the author of the bestselling 'Imagine Heaven', shares his extensive research on near-death experiences. He reveals how these experiences align with scriptural truths, offering hope and transformation. John explores what truly happens after death, the vibrant reality of the afterlife, and the dynamic adventures awaiting us beyond life. Through captivating stories and biblical references, he challenges common misconceptions about heaven and emphasizes the power of love and faith in shaping our eternal journey.

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ANECDOTE

Burke's Journey to Faith

John Burke's journey to faith began with his dying father.
Reading Raymond Moody's Life After Life, about near-death experiences (NDEs), opened his mind to the possibility of God.

INSIGHT

NDEs and Higher Dimensions

NDEs suggest a more real, expanded existence after death, like entering a higher dimension.
This aligns with biblical descriptions of a spiritual body with enhanced senses and abilities.

ANECDOTE

Dr. Neal's NDE

Dr. Mary Neal, a spine surgeon, had an NDE where she felt held by Christ.
She didn't need to ask if it was Jesus; she knew intuitively, similar to recognizing her husband.

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Flatland

A Romance of Many Dimensions

Edwin A. Abbott

Written in 1884, 'Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions' is a satirical novella by Edwin Abbott Abbott. The story is set in a two-dimensional world inhabited by geometric figures, where social status is determined by the number of sides of each figure. The narrator, A Square, guides readers through the practicalities and social hierarchy of Flatland, before being introduced to the concept of higher dimensions by a Sphere. The book is both an introduction to the idea of higher dimensions and a satire of Victorian society, critiquing its class system, gender roles, and social norms. Despite its satirical elements, the book also delves into mathematical concepts and the limitations of perception in different dimensions[1][3][5].

Proof of Heaven

A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife

Eben Alexander

In this book, Dr. Eben Alexander describes his near-death experience (NDE) while suffering from a rare case of bacterial meningitis. During his seven-day coma, Alexander claims to have journeyed beyond this world, encountering an angelic being and the Divine source of the universe. His experience transformed his views on life, philosophy, medicine, and the existence of God and the soul. The book details his medical recovery as a miracle and explores the implications of his NDE on his understanding of consciousness and the afterlife. Despite scientific criticism, Alexander's story has been widely read and discussed, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of science and spirituality.

The Divine Conspiracy

Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God

Dallas Willard

In 'The Divine Conspiracy', Dallas Willard delves into the true meaning of Christian discipleship by examining Jesus' teachings, particularly the Sermon on the Mount. The book challenges contemporary Christian practices and encourages a deeper, more authentic faith. Willard argues for the relevance of God in every aspect of life, presenting a vision of discipleship that involves daily interaction with God and a transformation of one's life to become more like Jesus. The book is divided into sections that cover the kingdom of the heavens, the discourse on the hill, discipleship, and eschatology, providing a thorough and practical guide to living a Christ-centered life[1][2][5].

Life after Life

Raymond Moody

Originally published in 1975, 'Life After Life' is a qualitative study where Dr. Raymond Moody interviewed 150 people who had undergone near-death experiences (NDEs). The book details common elements in NDEs, such as an overwhelming feeling of peace, being located outside one's physical body, floating through darkness or a tunnel, encountering a 'being of light,' and experiencing a rapid succession of visual images of one's past. Moody's work neither rejects these experiences on scientific grounds nor sensationalizes them, offering a balanced and insightful look into the phenomenon of NDEs. The book has sold over 13 million copies and has been translated into a dozen foreign languages, making it an international bestseller and a seminal work in the field of NDE studies.

Imagine Heaven

John Burke

In 'Imagine Heaven,' John Burke explores more than 100 gripping stories of near-death experiences (NDEs) and compares them to what the Bible says about Heaven. The book addresses questions such as 'Will I be myself?' 'Will I see friends and loved ones?' 'What will Heaven look like?' and 'What will we do forever?' Burke shows how the common experiences shared by thousands of near-death survivors, including people from various professions and cultures, point to the exhilarating picture of Heaven promised in the Bible. This book aims to provide a deeper understanding of the afterlife and its implications for living life today.