Near-death experiences (NDEs) are profound experiences that occur to people who are on the brink of death or who have suffered a severe trauma where death is imminent. In many cases, these people are pronounced dead. These experiences often involve a variety of sensory and emotional elements, such as seeing a bright light, feeling a sense of peace and detachment from the body, moving through a tunnel, or having a life review. Some individuals report encounters with deceased loved ones or spiritual beings. Research into NDEs seeks to understand the patterns and themes of these experiences, as well as their long-lasting effects on individuals' attitudes towards life and death. How do these verifiable experiences align with what the Bible teaches and, as a Christian, how and why should we engage with this topic?

Books Referenced Life After Life – Raymond Moody https://amzn.asia/d/07ANqwVR After - Bruce Greyson https://amzn.asia/d/07ANqwVR Imagine Heaven - John Burke https://amzn.asia/d/07ANqwVR Heaven is Real – Todd Burpo https://amzn.asia/d/07ANqwVR

Though Christian faith and doctrine often transcend our finite human comprehension, they are not irrational or void of any ‘reason’. Faith provides the foundation for belief, while reason offers a tool for understanding and articulating that belief. Faith is foundational to reason and reason can serve to confirm faith – but faith can not be gained through 'reason'. The tension between faith and reason is not a simple dichotomy but a complex interplay.

There are things that everyone knows about God. These things can be known through 'general revelation' things that everyone can see, feel and experience and do not rely on 'special revelation' such as the Bible. The reality of how we all live and experience our lives reveals God, if we only choose to notice.

If we are to open our minds and hearts to the mystery, awe and wonder of God, how can we know that the path we are on is the 'true' path? How can we discern the truth - not just 'our' truth? More importantly, what is the 'truth' pointing to?

When it comes to knowing, our culture holds us to the “defective default,” a mode of thinking that treats knowledge simply as information. This default mode excludes most of the ways we know in our day-to-day lives. Think about all the important things you know – say about how you feel about your family or loved ones. This knowledge doesn’t come from ‘data’ or ‘information’ but from experience and relationship. If we stay trapped by the cultural norm that knowledge equals information, we exclude things like belief, values, emotion, application, and imagination, in short many of things that it means to be human. How can we be free from the culture trap where we can only ‘know’, if it can be reasoned through the application of logic and critical thinking, data and information? We have leaned so heavily on facts, proofs, arguments, presuppositions, on tactics and techniques, that we have forgotten the simple encouragement of Jesus—“Come and you will see”

Longing to Know - Esther Lightcap Meek. https://amzn.asia/d/3yal3XW

As we delve deeper into our discussion, we explore the intricate interplay between the brain's hemispheres and their profound impact on our existence. The symbiotic relationship between the methodical, logical left hemisphere and the holistic, intuitive right hemisphere informs our perceptions, influences culture, and deepens spiritual consciousness. The predominance of 'left-brain' oriented thinking in Western society may lead to a diminished richness in life, as it often neglects the subtle yet profound connections that weave through our lives and relationships. To fully embrace the divine, a shift in thought is imperative, moving from a reliance on tangible proof to embracing a sense of wonder and reverence that transcends empirical evidence.

In this episode we reference the follwoing books: The Divided Brain and the Search for Meaning Iain McGilchrist

The Master & His Emissary Iain McGilchrist

The Anxious Generation Jonathan Haidt

The Surprising Revival in the Belief of God Justin Brierley

Renowned psychiatrist, neurologist and philosopher Iain McGilchrist's exploration of the left and right hemispheres of the brain, argues that the left hemisphere tends to reduce the idea of the divine into a rational, abstract concept, often associated with rules, doctrines, and dogmas. This reductionist view can lead to a mechanistic understanding of the divine, devoid of the richness and depth that spirituality often entails. McGilchrist suggests that when the left hemisphere dominates, it can lead to a shallow, overly structured understanding of God, characterized by rigid beliefs and divisions. This can result in religious fundamentalism or atheism, both of which he sees as products of an imbalanced approach to spirituality. On the other hand, when the right hemisphere is nurtured and valued, individuals can experience a more profound connection with the divine. This connection is characterized by a sense of unity, empathy, and reverence for the mysteries of existence. In this episode we discuss McGilchrist's work and consider the importance of integrating both hemispheres in our understanding of God and spirituality. We discuss how it’s important to honour both the rational and the intuitive, recognizing the limitations of language and embracing the richness of lived experience. By doing so, we can cultivate a deeper, more authentic relationship with God, one that transcends the confines of rigid dogma and opens up to the vastness of a relationship with Him.

REFERENCES: Iain McGilchrist https://channelmcgilchrist.com/

Oliver Sacks https://www.oliversacks.com/

The Master and His Emissary https://channelmcgilchrist.com/master-and-his-emissary/

How to Change Your Mind [Netflix] https://www.netflix.com/au/title/80229847

By prioritizing face-to-face interaction, promoting authenticity and vulnerability, encouraging mindful use of technology, implementing community building initiatives, cultivating empathy and compassion, and embracing diversity and inclusion, the church can be a powerful antidote to the growing global social isolation. Rather than instrumentalising relationships or taking the easy option of engaging with those with whom we find it easy or convenient to do so, we need to re-elevate the sacredness of every person. It will cost us something. It should cost us something. The question is are we willing to pay the price to be the church God calls us to be, the light in an increasingly dark world.