Question I was asked by an agnostic friend

[blessed22]

We were talking about near death experiences and how many people have claimed to see the afterlife while technically medically dead for a few minutes. Then he went on about how it would seem to be against God's policy for that. What's the point of faith and all that if he's giving certain people a sneak peek at an afterlife? Then he asked wouldn't their faith be forever tarnished sine they witnessed an afterlife and basically had proof?

Whats the bestway to answer that?

Edited April 4, 2011 by blessed22

[Matthitjah]

Bless you blesssed22,

Jesus Himself told the story of an afterlife in Lazarus the beggar. At the end of the story, which I believe is a true account, He spoke of the testimony that some already have and of how if a man should even rise from the dead that they would not believe. Case in point, it doesn't matter what you tell or show some people. They will not believe.

I would tell him that.

Peace,

Dave

[SavedByGrace1980]

We were talking about near death experiences and how many people have claimed to see the afterlife while technically medically dead for a few minutes. Then he went on about how it would seem to be against God's policy for that. What's the point of faith and all that if he's giving certain people a sneak peek at an afterlife? Then he asked wouldn't their faith be forever tarnished sine they witnessed an afterlife and basically had proof?

Whats the bestway to answer that?

Good morning!

There is a TV series on the Biography Channel titled "I Survived, Beyond and Back" in which people relate their near-death experiences. The few that I have watched seem to run the gamut - from vivid descriptions of Hell to various concepts of Heaven.

My opinion on this may sound somewhat wishy-washy, but here it is: As a mature Christian, personally I see no problem with it. It's an entertaining program, but I am certainly not going to base my theology on it.

I haven't seen enough of them to form an opinion, but they may air episodes that conflict with Christian teaching. That would be problematic for new Christians or non-believers.

Your agnostic friend asks a good question, and to that I would reply to always be skeptical and use caution where extra-Biblical things are concerned. We can say with 100 percent certainty that what God wants us to know about Heaven and Hell is contained in Scripture. Anything beyond that is pure speculation.

Have a Blessed day!

-Ed

[nebula]

What's the point of faith and all that if he's giving certain people a sneak peek at an afterlife?

This person has a misunderstanding of faith.

Faith is not nullified because of evidence. Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead, yet people still did not believe in Him. The Israelites saw with their very eyes the pillar of cloud by day the pillar of fire by night, saw the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, were given strange food to eat, etc., yet how many times did they disbelieve God who gave them these things?

Getting a "sneak peek at the afterlife" is no different than these things.

[MorningGlory]

Good morning!

There is a TV series on the Biography Channel titled "I Survived, Beyond and Back" in which people relate their near-death experiences. The few that I have watched seem to run the gamut - from vivid descriptions of Hell to various concepts of Heaven.

My opinion on this may sound somewhat wishy-washy, but here it is: As a mature Christian, personally I see no problem with it. It's an entertaining program, but I am certainly not going to base my theology on it.

I haven't seen enough of them to form an opinion, but they may air episodes that conflict with Christian teaching. That would be problematic for new Christians or non-believers.

Your agnostic friend asks a good question, and to that I would reply to always be skeptical and use caution where extra-Biblical things are concerned. We can say with 100 percent certainty that what God wants us to know about Heaven and Hell is contained in Scripture. Anything beyond that is pure speculation.

Have a Blessed day!

-Ed

Great answer, Ed!

[~Shalhevet~]

Getting a "sneak peek at the afterlife" is no different than these things.

How is getting a "sneak peek of afterlife" Biblical? I don't remember reading anything in the Bible about this.

[nebula]

Getting a "sneak peek at the afterlife" is no different than these things.

How is getting a "sneak peek of afterlife" Biblical? I don't remember reading anything in the Bible about this.

Firstly, I was repeating the words given in the OP.

Secondly, Paul mentions having seen a man entering "the third heaven", so I would say that is a Biblical reference.

[Matthitjah]

Getting a "sneak peek at the afterlife" is no different than these things.

How is getting a "sneak peek of afterlife" Biblical? I don't remember reading anything in the Bible about this.

Firstly, I was repeating the words given in the OP.

Secondly, Paul mentions having seen a man entering "the third heaven", so I would say that is a Biblical reference.

Yes and this too;

Ge 28:12

And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

And this..........;

Re 4:1

[Matthitjah]

Oh! and this;

Ac 7:56

And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

And this......;

2Ki 6:17

And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray you, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

[~Shalhevet~]

Where in the Bible does it say we can die, see heaven or hell and then return?