Are Near Death Experiences Compatible with Christianity?

Understanding Why NDEs Are Genuine, Biblical, and Important for Christian Faith

Based on Dr. J. Steve Miller’s Comprehensive Research in his book “Is Christianity Compatible With Deathbed and Near-Death Experiences? : The Surprising Presence of Jesus, Scarcity of Anti-Christian Elements, And Compatibility with Historic Christian Teachings”

Introduction: Why This Matters for Christians Today

Have you ever wondered what happens when we die? For Christians, the Bible provides clear teachings about heaven, hell, and the afterlife. But in recent decades, millions of people worldwide have reported remarkable experiences during moments of clinical death—experiences that seem to confirm many biblical truths about the afterlife. These Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) have become one of the most studied phenomena in modern medicine and psychology.

Dr. J. Steve Miller, a respected Christian scholar with a Ph.D. in philosophy and religion, has conducted extensive research into whether these experiences are compatible with biblical Christianity. His findings are both surprising and encouraging for believers. Rather than contradicting Scripture, the vast majority of carefully studied NDEs actually reinforce biblical teachings about God, heaven, the importance of love, and the reality of the afterlife.

However, we must approach this topic with both openness and caution. While God may indeed be using these experiences to reveal Himself in our modern age, Satan is also at work, attempting to twist and distort these testimonies to lead people away from biblical truth. As believers, we need to understand both the genuine biblical elements in NDEs and the deceptions we must guard against.

Part 1: Understanding Near-Death Experiences

What Exactly Are Near-Death Experiences?

Near-Death Experiences occur when people come close to death or experience clinical death (when the heart stops beating) and then return to life. During these experiences, many report leaving their physical bodies, encountering spiritual beings, seeing deceased relatives, experiencing a life review, and encountering a being of incredible light and love. These are not mere dreams or hallucinations—they are vivid, life-changing experiences that people describe as “more real than ordinary life.”

Dr. Miller carefully distinguishes between different types of experiences:

• Near-Death Experiences (NDEs): Occur when someone is near death, such as during cardiac arrest, but returns to life
• Deathbed Experiences (DBEs): Visions and encounters that dying people have in their final days or hours
• Shared Death Experiences: When family members or medical staff share in aspects of a dying person’s transition
• After-Death Communications: Brief contacts from deceased loved ones to comfort the grieving

The Remarkable Prevalence of NDEs

Studies show that approximately 4-9% of the population has experienced an NDE. This means millions of people worldwide have had these profound encounters. Dr. Pim van Lommel’s groundbreaking study in the Netherlands found that 18% of cardiac arrest patients reported NDEs. These are not rare, isolated incidents but widespread phenomena occurring across all cultures, religions, and age groups.

What makes these experiences particularly compelling is their consistency. Despite cultural and religious differences, people around the world report remarkably similar core elements: leaving the body, moving through a tunnel or darkness, encountering a brilliant light, meeting deceased relatives or spiritual beings, experiencing overwhelming love, having a life review, and returning with transformed values and beliefs.

Part 2: Steve Miller’s Biblical Case for NDEs

Why Many Conservative Christians Initially Rejected NDEs

Dr. Miller acknowledges that many conservative Christians, including influential pastors like John MacArthur, have been skeptical or openly hostile toward NDEs. Their concerns include:

• Fear that NDEs might contradict biblical teachings
• Worry that they could promote universalism (the idea that everyone goes to heaven)
• Concern about possible demonic deception
• Suspicion that people might be making up stories for fame or money
• Belief that the Bible alone should be our source of information about the afterlife

However, Dr. Miller argues that these concerns, while understandable, are based on misunderstandings of both what the Bible actually teaches and what legitimate NDE research actually shows. He makes a crucial distinction between carefully researched NDEs studied by medical professionals and the sensationalized “heaven tourism” books that flood the Christian market.

The Surprising Biblical Compatibility of NDEs

Through meticulous research, Dr. Miller identified 47 specific points of convergence between typical NDE experiences and biblical teachings. This remarkable alignment suggests that God may indeed be using these experiences to confirm biblical truths in our skeptical age. Let’s examine the most significant areas of compatibility:

Biblical Verses Supporting NDE Elements

Dr. Miller provides extensive biblical support for the elements commonly reported in NDEs. Here are key verses organized by theme:

Part 3: The Surprising Presence of Jesus in NDEs

One of Dr. Miller’s most significant findings is the remarkable frequency with which Jesus appears in NDEs, even to non-Christians. In his systematic study of 100 consecutive NDEs from the Near-Death Experience Research Foundation (NDERF) database—the world’s largest collection of NDE accounts—Miller found that 18% explicitly reported seeing Jesus.

The Unique Position of Jesus in Global NDEs

What makes this finding even more remarkable is the comparison with other religious figures:

• Out of over 5,000 NDEs in the NDERF database, only 3 people reported seeing Krishna
• Only 2 reported seeing Buddha
• Of 80 self-identified Muslims, NONE reported seeing Muhammad
• No one reported seeing multiple gods or a pantheon of deities

This data directly contradicts the common claim that “everyone sees the god of their own religion.” Instead, Jesus appears to people of all backgrounds—atheists, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and nominal Christians alike. Many of these encounters lead to dramatic conversions to Christianity.

Examples of Jesus Encounters in NDEs

Dr. Miller provides numerous examples of people encountering Jesus during their NDEs. These aren’t vague encounters with an unnamed “being of light”—people specifically identify Jesus, often describing His appearance, His overwhelming love, and His personal knowledge of them. Here are a few representative accounts:

Part 4: Addressing Biblical Objections to NDEs

Dr. Miller carefully addresses each biblical objection that critics raise against NDEs. His responses demonstrate deep biblical knowledge and careful theological reasoning:

Objection 1: “The Bible Says No One Has Gone to Heaven and Returned”

Critics often cite Proverbs 30:4 (“Who has ascended to heaven and come down?”) and John 3:13 (“No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man”) to argue that NDEs are impossible.

Miller’s Response: These verses, understood in context, are not denying the possibility of visions or temporary spiritual experiences. If they were, they would contradict other clear biblical examples:

Objection 2: “It Is Appointed for Man to Die Once”

Critics cite Hebrews 9:27 (“It is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes judgment”) to argue that people cannot die and return.

Miller’s Response: This verse refers to final death, not temporary clinical death. The Bible itself records multiple cases of people who died and were resurrected:

• Lazarus (John 11:1-44)
• Jairus’s daughter (Luke 8:49-56)
• The widow’s son at Nain (Luke 7:11-17)
• Eutychus (Acts 20:9-12)
• Dorcas (Acts 9:36-42)

These people experienced temporary death and returned to life, only to die again later. NDEs are similar temporary deaths, not the final death mentioned in Hebrews.

Objection 3: “Faith Comes Only from Hearing the Word”

Some argue that Romans 10:17 (“Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ”) means that legitimate faith can only come through Scripture, not through experiences like NDEs.

Miller’s Response: While Scripture is certainly a primary means of developing faith, the Bible never says it’s the ONLY means. Consider:

• Creation testifies to God’s existence (Romans 1:20, Psalm 19:1)
• Miracles were used to instill faith (John 20:30-31)
• Personal testimony is encouraged (1 Peter 3:15)
• The godly character of believers can lead others to faith (1 Peter 3:1-2)

Part 5: Life Transformation After NDEs

One of the most compelling aspects of NDEs is the profound and lasting transformation they produce in experiencers’ lives. These changes align remarkably with biblical teachings about spiritual transformation:

Common Transformations Reported After NDEs

Dr. Michael Sabom’s “Atlanta Study” found that NDErs who were Christians became MORE committed to traditional Christianity, not less. They didn’t drift toward New Age beliefs or Eastern religions as critics claim. Instead, those who made changes in their Christian beliefs moved toward MORE conservative Christian doctrine.

Biblical Parallels to NDE Transformations

The transformations reported after NDEs closely mirror the biblical “fruit of the Spirit” and other scriptural teachings about spiritual growth:

Part 6: Understanding Distressing NDEs and Hell

While most NDEs are positive, approximately 20% involve distressing or hellish elements. Dr. Miller argues that these experiences actually strengthen the biblical case for NDEs rather than weakening it.

Types of Distressing NDEs

Researchers have identified several categories of distressing NDEs:

1. The Void: Experiences of absolute emptiness, isolation, and despair
2. Hellish Visions: Encounters with demonic beings, fire, and torment
3. Judgment Experiences: Overwhelming guilt and awareness of moral failure
4. Frightening Life Reviews: Seeing the pain they’ve caused others

Biblical Descriptions of Hell Confirmed in NDEs

The descriptions of hell in distressing NDEs remarkably align with biblical imagery:

The Purpose of Distressing NDEs

Many who experience hellish NDEs report that it served as a divine warning, leading them to radically change their lives. Common outcomes include:

• Conversion to Christianity
• Abandonment of sinful lifestyles
• Increased compassion for others
• Dedication to warning others about hell’s reality
• Deep appreciation for God’s mercy

As one experiencer stated: “I believe I was shown hell so I would change my life. It was the most terrifying thing imaginable, but also the greatest gift, because it saved me from ending up there permanently.”

Part 7: Critical Warnings About Deception and New Age Influences

While Dr. Miller makes a strong case for the authenticity of many NDEs, he also provides crucial warnings about deceptions and dangerous practices that have infiltrated the NDE community. This is where discernment becomes absolutely essential for Christians.

Satan’s Strategy to Hijack NDEs

Both Miller and Shawn Tabatt (author of “The NDE Conspiracy”) warn that Satan attempts to twist God’s genuine work through NDEs for his own purposes. Just as he did in the Garden of Eden, Satan takes something good and adds deception to lead people astray. His tactics include:

1. Promoting universalism: The false idea that everyone goes to heaven regardless of their relationship with Christ
2. Introducing reincarnation: Claims about past lives and multiple chances after death
3. Encouraging occult practices: Using NDEs to justify consulting mediums and psychics
4. Diminishing sin’s seriousness: Suggesting God doesn’t really care about our moral choices
5. Creating false messiahs: Promoting spirit guides and ascended masters instead of Jesus

Red Flags in NDE Accounts

Dr. Miller provides helpful guidelines for identifying potentially deceptive or unreliable NDE accounts:

• Theological rambling: Long discourses about reincarnation, cosmic consciousness, or universalism
• Anti-biblical messages: Claims that sin doesn’t matter or that Jesus is just one of many paths
• Promotion of occult practices: Encouraging readers to develop psychic abilities or contact spirits
• Focus on the experiencer: Making themselves the center rather than pointing to God
• Contradictions with core NDE research: Claims that don’t match the typical, well-documented pattern
• Commercial exploitation: Excessive focus on selling books, seminars, or services

New Age Infiltration in the NDE Community

Unfortunately, the mainstream NDE community has been heavily influenced by New Age philosophy. Common New Age interpretations of NDEs that Christians must reject include:

Part 8: The Life Review – God’s Mirror of Truth

One of the most profound and transformative elements of many NDEs is the life review. This experience, reported by a significant percentage of NDErs, provides remarkable confirmation of biblical teachings about judgment, the importance of our actions, and God’s omniscience.

What Happens in a Life Review?

During a life review, experiencers report seeing their entire life flash before them—but not as mere observers. They experience their life from multiple perspectives:

1. Their own perspective: Reliving their thoughts and motivations
2. Others’ perspectives: Feeling the joy or pain they caused others
3. God’s perspective: Understanding the ripple effects of their actions

Dr. Miller quotes numerous experiencers who describe this as the most impactful part of their NDE. They suddenly understand how every action, word, and even thought affected others and contributed to either good or evil in the world.

Biblical Confirmation of Life Review Elements

The life review experience powerfully confirms numerous biblical teachings about judgment and the importance of our earthly lives:

The Non-Judgmental Judge

Many NDErs report that during their life review, God (or the Being of Light) doesn’t condemn them—instead, they judge themselves when confronted with the truth. This has troubled some Christians who expect God to be more actively judgmental. However, Dr. Miller explains this actually aligns with Scripture:

• God’s nature is love (1 John 4:8)
• His kindness leads to repentance (Romans 2:4)
• He is patient, not wanting anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9)
• Jesus came not to condemn but to save (John 3:17)

The life review serves as a mirror of truth where people see themselves as they really are. When confronted with perfect love and absolute truth, people naturally recognize their failures and feel appropriate guilt without God needing to actively condemn them.

Part 9: Angels, Deceased Loved Ones, and the Community of Heaven

A consistent feature of NDEs and deathbed visions is encounters with deceased loved ones and angelic beings. These encounters provide comfort, guidance, and often serve as escorts to the other side.

Biblical Foundation for These Encounters

Far from contradicting Scripture, these encounters align with biblical examples:

Characteristics of Legitimate Deceased Loved One Encounters

Dr. Miller notes important distinctions between legitimate NDE encounters with the deceased and dangerous necromancy (attempting to contact the dead):

The Role of Angels in NDEs

Angels appear frequently in NDEs, serving various biblical functions:

• Escorts: Guiding souls to the afterlife
• Messengers: Delivering important information
• Comforters: Providing peace during transition
• Guardians: Protecting from evil forces
• Worshippers: Leading praise of God

These angelic roles in NDEs match exactly what Scripture teaches about angelic ministry, providing further evidence that many NDEs are genuine spiritual experiences permitted by God.

Part 10: The Evidential Power of NDEs for Christian Apologetics

Dr. Miller makes a compelling case that NDEs provide powerful evidence for the Christian faith in our skeptical age. He calls this “Afterlife Apologetics” and argues it deserves a prominent place alongside traditional apologetic arguments.

Why NDEs Are Particularly Compelling Evidence

1. They’re contemporary: Unlike ancient miracles, these are happening today and can be investigated
2. They’re widespread: Millions of people across all cultures report similar experiences
3. They’re documented: Medical records confirm clinical death in many cases
4. They’re transformative: The life changes are undeniable and lasting
5. They’re consistent: Core elements remain the same across cultures and religions
6. They’re verifiable: Many include accurate observations while clinically dead

Dr. Miller’s Study of Student Responses

In his university course on death and dying, Dr. Miller surveyed students about which evidence for the afterlife they found most compelling. The results were striking:

Using NDEs in Evangelism and Apologetics

Dr. Miller provides practical guidance for Christians who want to use NDE evidence in sharing their faith:

• Start with interest: Most people are fascinated by NDEs
• Share documented cases: Use medically verified accounts
• Point to patterns: Emphasize consistent elements across cultures
• Connect to Scripture: Show how NDEs confirm biblical teachings
• Address objections: Be prepared to discuss hallucination theories
• Focus on Jesus: Highlight the surprising prevalence of Jesus in NDEs
• Emphasize transformation: The changed lives provide powerful testimony

Part 11: Caring for Those Who Have Had NDEs

Dr. Miller provides important pastoral guidance for ministering to those who have experienced NDEs. Many experiencers struggle to integrate their experience, especially in churches that are skeptical or hostile toward NDEs.

Common Struggles of NDErs

• Difficulty expressing the ineffable: Language seems inadequate
• Fear of disbelief: Worry that others will think they’re crazy
• Spiritual confusion: Trying to understand what happened
• Integration challenges: Applying insights to daily life
• Relationship changes: Different priorities may strain relationships
• Church rejection: Some churches dismiss or demonize their experience

How Churches Should Respond

Warning Signs That Require Careful Pastoral Response

While most NDEs produce positive spiritual fruit, pastors should watch for:

• Claims of special revelation that contradicts Scripture
• Messianic complex or spiritual pride
• Promotion of unbiblical practices (mediumship, universalism)
• Obsession with the experience rather than God
• Depression from having to return to earthly life
• Difficulty maintaining normal relationships and responsibilities

Part 12: The Global and Historical Context of NDEs

NDEs are not a modern phenomenon. Dr. Miller documents that similar experiences have been reported throughout history and across all cultures, suggesting they represent a universal human experience rather than a cultural construct.

Historical Accounts of NDEs

Cross-Cultural Consistency

Research across diverse cultures reveals remarkable consistency in core NDE elements:

• India: Studies by Osis and Haraldsson found similar patterns despite different religious backgrounds
• China: Despite atheistic education, Chinese NDErs report spiritual experiences
• Native American: Traditional accounts match modern NDE descriptions
• African: Similar elements despite different cultural expectations
• Middle Eastern: Muslim NDErs often report seeing Jesus rather than Muhammad

This cross-cultural consistency argues against NDEs being merely cultural constructs or wishful thinking. If they were just hallucinations based on expectations, we would expect much more cultural variation.

Part 13: Scientific Attempts to Explain NDEs

Dr. Miller addresses various naturalistic explanations that skeptics propose for NDEs, showing why none adequately account for all the evidence.

Common Skeptical Explanations and Their Problems

Evidence for the Reality of NDEs

Multiple lines of evidence support the genuine nature of NDEs:

1. Veridical perception: Accurate observations while clinically dead
2. Meeting unknown deceased relatives: Children meeting relatives who died before they were born
3. Shared death experiences: Multiple people sharing the same vision
4. Blind people seeing: Those blind from birth accurately describing visual scenes
5. Life transformation: Lasting personality changes not seen with hallucinations
6. Enhanced consciousness: Clearer thinking despite absent brain function

Part 14: The Problem of Evil and NDEs

One of the most profound aspects of NDEs is how they address the age-old question of why God allows suffering. Dr. Miller notes that virtually no one returns from an NDE complaining that God is unjust or cruel.

What NDErs Learn About Suffering

During their experiences, especially during the expanded awareness many report, NDErs often gain insights into life’s difficulties:

As one NDEr reported: “I understood the origins of the cosmos, how the universe works, and why people do what they do. Wars and natural disasters, everything has a purpose, a reason. It all makes sense.”

Biblical Parallels on Suffering

These NDE insights align with biblical teachings about suffering:

Part 15: The Priority of Love – The Universal Message

If there’s one message that emerges most consistently from NDEs, it’s the absolute priority of love. Dr. Miller emphasizes that this isn’t vague, feel-good love, but the specific type of selfless, sacrificial love (agape) that the Bible teaches.

What NDErs Learn About Love

The centrality of love in NDEs cannot be overstated. Experiencers consistently report:

• Love is the essence of God’s nature
• Love is why we exist
• Love is what matters most in life
• Love has eternal consequences
• Small acts of love have tremendous impact
• Lack of love is our greatest failure

Biblical Confirmation of Love’s Priority

The emphasis on love in NDEs perfectly aligns with biblical teaching:

Part 16: Practical Applications for Christian Living

Dr. Miller emphasizes that studying NDEs shouldn’t be merely academic—it should transform how we live. The insights from NDEs, when properly understood through a biblical framework, can revolutionize our Christian walk.

How NDE Insights Should Change Our Lives

How Churches Can Integrate NDE Insights

Dr. Miller suggests practical ways churches can benefit from NDE research while maintaining biblical fidelity:

1. Grief ministry: Use NDE accounts to comfort those who’ve lost loved ones
2. Evangelism: Share NDE evidence as part of apologetics
3. Discipleship: Emphasize love and relationships over programs
4. Pastoral care: Be open to those who’ve had spiritual experiences
5. Teaching: Include NDE research in classes on heaven and afterlife
6. Worship: Celebrate the reality of God’s overwhelming love

Part 17: Discernment Guidelines for Evaluating NDE Accounts

Not all NDE accounts are equally reliable or biblically sound. Dr. Miller and Shawn Tabatt provide clear guidelines for discerning truth from deception:

Questions to Ask When Evaluating an NDE Account

Common Deceptions to Watch For

Conclusion: Embracing God’s Work While Maintaining Discernment

Dr. Steve Miller’s extensive research demonstrates that Near-Death Experiences, when properly understood and evaluated through a biblical lens, provide powerful confirmation of Christian truth rather than contradiction. The remarkable alignment between core NDE elements and biblical teaching suggests that God may indeed be using these experiences to reveal Himself in our skeptical age.

Key Takeaways for Christians

1. NDEs are real phenomena that deserve serious consideration, not dismissive rejection
2. The vast majority of legitimate NDEs confirm biblical truths about God, heaven, angels, the importance of love, and the reality of the afterlife
3. Jesus appears surprisingly often in NDEs worldwide, even to non-Christians, suggesting His unique position as “the way, the truth, and the life”
4. Life reviews powerfully confirm that our actions matter and that love is paramount
5. Distressing NDEs validate biblical warnings about hell and the consequences of rejecting God
6. Satan attempts to hijack genuine NDEs through New Age interpretations and occult practices
7. Christians must exercise discernment, testing all experiences against Scripture
8. Churches should be open to those who’ve had NDEs while maintaining biblical fidelity
9. NDEs provide powerful apologetic evidence for the Christian faith in our modern world
10. The transformative power of NDEs confirms Jesus’s teaching that “by their fruits you will know them”

A Balanced Approach

As conservative Christians, we must maintain a balanced approach to NDEs:

Final Thoughts: God’s Love and Truth Revealed

Perhaps the most profound message from legitimate NDEs is the overwhelming reality of God’s love—not a permissive love that ignores sin, but the biblical agape love that sent Jesus to die for our sins. This love transforms those who encounter it, leading them to changed lives characterized by compassion, service, and spiritual devotion.

At the same time, the reality of distressing NDEs reminds us that hell is real, sin has consequences, and not everyone automatically goes to heaven. The gospel message remains essential: we need Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.

Dr. Miller’s research shows that when we approach NDEs with both biblical grounding and intellectual honesty, we find not a threat to Christian faith but a powerful confirmation of it. In an age when many doubt the supernatural, when materialism dominates thinking, and when the reality of the afterlife is questioned, God appears to be providing widespread, contemporary evidence that He exists, that consciousness survives death, that heaven and hell are real, and that how we live matters eternally.

As we move forward, let us embrace the genuine work of God in NDEs while maintaining vigilant discernment against deception. Let us use this evidence to strengthen believers, evangelize seekers, and comfort the grieving. Most importantly, let us be transformed by the central message that emerges from both Scripture and legitimate NDEs: that God is love, that love is what matters most, and that through Jesus Christ, we can experience that love both now and forever.

For Further Study

For those wanting to explore this topic further while maintaining biblical discernment, Dr. Miller recommends:

May God grant you wisdom, discernment, and encouragement as you explore these profound testimonies of His reality and love.