Near-death experiences (NDEs) have been presented in several past articles of this column as supporting evidence for the existence of the human soul, which, naturally, might yield an answer to the question of a supernatural Being perhaps responsible for their existence in the first place. As the name implies, an NDE is a profound psychological event triggered by life-threatening trauma after which a patient reports an out-of-body experience of being transported to a supernatural world of light, beauty, and peace, often encountering deceased relatives and the deity. Unsurprisingly, even though there have been over 25 millionNDEsreportedfromaround the world, there are many critics who, for various reasons, conclude that these experiences are not true encounters with the afterlife, but are instead purely physical responses to trauma by some victims. For example, the great astronomer Carl Sagan thought NDEs were trauma-triggered“birthmemories.” Other skeptics have suggested that NDEs are wishful thinking or that trauma somehow brings about hallucinations of things that are not there. Still others suggest NDEs are triggered by low oxygen levels in the brain, or high carbon dioxide levels, or the effects of dopamine or oxytocin, etc., ad nauseam. At issue is the fact that NDEs are not well studied scientifically, and rightly so. The immediate response of any trauma team is not to establish a regimented scientific research protocol of what is happening in the patient’s brain and mind, but to stop the bleeding or start the heart, or close the wound. The last thing on their minds is what might be going through the patient’s mind. As a result, critics often claim that NDEs offer little to no “scientific support” for the notion of a heavenly dwelling place of God surrounded by beauty, peace, and love. Having a science background myself, I once tended to agree with the critic’s argument, at least until I was introduced to the case of Pam Reynolds. In his book, The Immortal Mind,neurosurgeonMichaelEgnor explains Pam’s odyssey, which began with dizziness and difficulty speaking. A later CT scan revealed the cause of her symptoms as a very large aneurysm (bulging artery) in the major artery that supplies blood to the brain stem. If the aneurysm should burst, she would suffer either severe brain damage or death. On referral, the world’s leading aneurysm neurosurgeon, Dr. Robert Spelzer, agreed to perform the last hope surgery to save Pam’s life. As Pam was prepped for surgery, a rather large team of doctors and nurses began by placing Pam on the operating table and under anesthesia. Her eyes were lubricated and sealed shut, then her entire body was draped except for the top of her skull and her left groin, where large IVs would be inserted. Earplugs were also placed in her ears, which continuously emitted very loud clicks that registered in her brain waves. Once Spetzler reached the aneurysm deep within Pam’s brain, the next steps would be to clamp and drain the bulging aneurysm to repair Pam’s artery. To get started, the cardiac team began cooling Pam’s blood through a heart-lung machine to 60°F, and her heart was intentionally stopped. The table was tilted so that all of the blood drained out of Pam’s brain. Monitors that had shown Pam’s brain response to the constant clicking sounds in her ears stopped—all brain activity ceased. Pam was brain dead, cardiac dead, and chilled to 60°F. The aneurysm was successfully repaired, and the operation was deemed a success. As Pam recovered, she reported her NDE. As is so commonly reported, Pam sensed her spirit leaving her body and hovering over the surgery room, where, although having her eyes sealed shut and her face completely draped, she was able to accurately describe various surgical instruments on the table. Pam also described the saw used to cut open her skull in great detail, even noting a dent in its metal casing. She recalled the discussion among the surgeons that the veins in her left groin were too small and that they would have to use the right side instead. She reported a sense of being pulled along a corridor, which led her to human-like figures surrounded by light. Then sherecognizedfamilymemberswho warned her she could go no further and must return to her body. None of the things that Pam experienced are unique, as such feelings and impressions are repeated with great regularity among those experiencing NDEs. And yet, Pam’s case is incredibly compelling because it was fully measuredandfullydocumentedina controlled, scientifically regimented procedure. There can be little doubt that Pam Reynolds was not only brain dead and cardiac dead, but she had no blood in her brain, and her body was chilled to 60°F. The implication is profound, and this is it: it is no longer possible to claim NDEs are pseudoscience and not scientifically verified. They are. What science tells us is that the brain and the mind (soul) are not the same thing. Human beings have both a physical brain and an immaterial soul that lives beyond the physical death of the brain. Unsurprisingly, that is precisely what Christianity teaches (cf Eccl 12:7). Until next time, ask a close friend: Is God dead?
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Ty B. Kerley, DMin., is an ordained minister who teaches Christian apologetics, and relief preaches in Southern Oklahoma. Dr. Kerley and his wife Vicki are members of the Waurika church of Christ, and live in Ardmore. You can contact him at: dr.kerley@isGoddead.com.