(Editor’s note: The following is a submission to The Recorder’s weekly column, “Faith Matters.” Each Saturday, a different faith leader in Franklin County offers a personal perspective in this space. To become part of this series, email religion@recorder.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 265.)
There is a great deal of interest in near death experiences. Numerous best sellers have been written about near death experiences, known as NDEs. Research foundations have been established studying near death experiences. Surprisingly to me, it is estimated that millions of Americans may have had a near death experience. Many are skeptical that the accounts of those who experience a near death experience are valid and seek a scientific, medical explanation for the experience. Near death experiences tend to have 15 components — including a light, a tunnel, a life review, and being told that it’s not their time and that they need to return to earth, and the person feeling reluctant to do so.
There are a number of Christian accounts of near death experiences, which may also include people being in heaven, meeting Jesus, and there may be a change of life upon the person’s return back to earth. At the Robbins Memorial Church, we’re studying “Heaven Is For Real,” which is the account of then 4-year-old Colton Burpo’s near death experience. Colton’s father, Todd Burpo, who is a pastor, wrote a book about Colton’s experience, Todd’s struggle with his faith to understand if Colton actually was in heaven, and how others responded to Colton’s account. There is also a movie by the same title.
People are attracted to near death experiences for a number of reasons. There is uncertainty around what follows death. Some struggle with doubt as to if there is life after death. There are many questions that people have about the afterlife. Who’s in heaven? What do we do in heaven? What does Jesus look like? Even for those of us who look to the Bible as our guide, we’re left with many of the things that we speculate about heaven remaining unaddressed. For example, “Heaven Is For Real” answers the questions of what happens to babies that are miscarried, what age are people in heaven, are their animals in heaven, what does Jesus look like, as well as will we have wings in heaven.
One of Colton’s experiences that convinced his parents that he had been in heaven is that he told his mother that he met a girl who was his sister “who died in his mother’s tummy.” Colton’s mother had a miscarriage, which Colton didn’t know about. My wife had four miscarriages which were instrumental in two of our children being adopted. I’d never considered if the children that were miscarried were in heaven. Cody’s mother, Sonja, says that many women have expressed to her the comfort that Colton’s account has provided them. People who have had a miscarriage can experience emotional healing knowing that their child is in heaven and that they will be reunited.
My caution is to test the claims made in near death experience accounts by the Scriptures (which is done in “Heaven Is For Real”). I believe the Scriptures to be more reliable and trustworthy than an individual’s account of their near death experience. I also recommend caution as to how certain we are on the details of the afterlife. A theologian suggested that we should be uncertain about “the furnishings of heaven and the temperature of hell.” While we know that the world that is to come will be glorious, “every tear will be wiped away, and death will be no more,” we’re left with as many questions as we are provided with answers prior to our joining with the great company of saints. In the meantime, it’s natural for us to speculate and wonder.
Hopefully, NDE’s provide us with a measure of hope and encouragement, strengthening our faith when we may be struggling with uncertainty and doubt.
A footnote: One well known person recanted their account, stating that they made it up. Colton stands by his account of his experience, reaffirming that heaven is for real.
About Robbins Memorial Church
Robbins Memorial Congregational Church, the little church with the big welcome, is located at 55 Munson St. in Greenfield. We are affiliated with the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, and have periodic bible studies.
Our major emphases are worship, mission and fellowship. Sunday worship is at 10 a.m. Our recent mission projects were Church World Service school kits, health kits, aid to victims of Hurricane Matthew, and gifts of food and baby items for local agencies.
Famous for our pies, we enjoy fellowship in working together making apple, blueberry, and strawberry-rhubarb pies.
Visit us online at RobbinsChurchGreenfield.com and Like us on Facebook.