When we read stories of people who have allegedly "died and gone to heaven," it is easy to get excited about the prospects of seeing such wonderful sights ourselves one day. At the same time, Christians are encouraged that the biblical record is true and that their faith is well founded. However, we need to read these stories carefully and reflect upon them through the lenses of theological study. Many have theological concerns with the accounts given in these two books and the numerous other stories told by near-death "experiencers" (their term).

Research in this area indicates there is a certain consistency in NDE reports. These similarities exist regardless of gender, religion, culture, and race. Many suggest that the phenomena must therefore actually be occurring objectively outside the body. These proponents argue that such consistency allows only for the explanation at NDEs are exactly what they are reported to be - the soul's journey out of the body through a tunnel to another plane of existence.

However, beyond a narrow list of parameters that are remarkably consistent, thousands of widely subjective accounts remain. Are NDEs real? Many believe so but just as many remain skeptical. No one can deny that NDErs are definitely experiencing something. The question is: Exactly what are they experiencing? Are they leaving their bodies and traveling to other dimensions? Is there some natural explanation for what they see and hear and remember?

There are biological and psychological factors that can account for every single NDE element listed in the scientific studies. In fact, you do not actually need to be "near death" to have a near-death experience. It appears highly likely that many (if not all) NDEs take place entirely in one's mind as biologically-based hallucinations built from preexisting memories, thoughts, dreams, and religious beliefs.

No one can judge the experience that they had. However, as Christians, we have the right and the duty to judge their interpretation of what they experiences.

Modern Christians seem so desperate for tangible evidence of their personal beliefs that they gravitate and grasp at any information that would lend validation to their faith. This would explain our fascination with expeditions to find Noah's Ark and quick acceptance of forwarded email nonsense. Christians do not need this information; we have the words of God revealed to us in the Scriptures. Those words in the Bible describe for us what awaits those who truly believe. There is no reason to believe that God wants us to know more about heaven than what He has revealed to us already. As the old hymn asks, "What more can He say that to you He has said?"

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