I have written about near-death experiences enough times that one would not be wrong by saying that I have a keen fascination with the phenomenon. Indeed, I am fascinated that there are over 25 million reports of near-death experiences from all around the world. I am fascinated that in so many cases people sense the overwhelming reality of hovering over their body, being led down a longdarktunnel, and encountering attheendthe Divine nature of all Reality, surrounded by light as bright as the sun. To be sure, I am fascinated that so many of these cases report an encounter with a resplendent God or Jesus, who is bathed in the same glorious light described repeatedly throughout the Bible. I am further fascinated that these phenomena are often puzzling to the medical community, which has no available scientific explanation for what many claim is impossible for them to see or hear. I am also fascinated that, in some cases, such as that of Pam Reynolds, the patient is clinically dead, and the brain is nonfunctional at the time of the experience. Nevertheless, above all things, I am most fascinated by those near-death experiences had by staunchly affirmed atheists who, as a result of their experiences, renounce atheism and convert to Christianity. That is, I am fascinated by people like Howard Storm.
Northern Kentucky University tenured art professor Dr. Howard Storm suffered an instant perforated duodenum that was so painful, he was certain he had been shot with a gun. The only problem was that Storm and his wife were in Paris, a country with socialized medicine, and it was Saturday. He needed surgery right away, but no surgeon could be found. Ten hours later, the nurse informed him that they couldn’t find a surgeon but would try again the next day. Storm called his wife up close and told her he didn’t think he would make it, and to bid goodbye to all their family and friends for him. Storm, growing more septic by the moment, then lost consciousness.
In textbook fashion, soon after losing consciousness, Dr. Storm found himself hovering over his body, noticing that the pain in his abdomen was gone and that he felt more alive than he ever had. However, he grew frustrated when he couldn’t communicate with his wife and refused to believe that it was actually his own body that he waslookingdownat.Then,heheard people outside the room calling his name,andtheysaid,“Comewithus, hurry up, let’s go.” They said, “We know all about you, and it is time for you to go.” That’s when he left the roomandbegantofollowthemdown along,dimlylithallway.Stormlater recalled, “They took me on a very long journey through a grey space that got increasingly darker and darker.” He began to ask questions about where they were going and what was happening, only to hear them say, “Shut up,” and “Don’t ask questions.” Storm’s fear began to grow rapidly, saying, “Finally, it was so dark I was terrified, and I said, ‘I’m not going any further. I want to go back.’” They tried to move him forward, but he refused, saying, “I’m not going any further.”
The gang then turned on Storm in full force, biting and tearing at him and sexually humiliating him. “Those [attacks] went on for a long time,” he would later report, saying that he finally fell to the ground, ripped apart, and unable to move. And that is when it all began to change. A small voice inside of him said, “Pray to God.” A first time, then a second, then a third. Storm thought, “I don’t pray.” “I don’t even believe in God.” Not knowing what or how to pray, he was able to call up from the deep recesses of his childhood the words: “The Lord is myshepherd.”Ashedid,thedemons backed away. In fact, the more he prayed, the further they moved away. Storm then went through a “life review” and concluded that his life was a self-fulfilling failure, finally crying out to Jesus for help. A brilliant light suddenly appeared, which he recognized as Jesus, who “picked me up and carried me out of there.”
Understandably, the experience profoundly and permanently changed Howard Storm. He resigned from his professorship and threw himself into biblical study. Three years later, he was ordained a lay minister in the United Church of Christ. He attended United Theological Seminary and later became pastor of a church which he still serves today.
For me, it doesn’t get any better than this. A professed atheist encountering God and responding. What else could he do? What would you do? Howard Storm now knows beyond a doubt that God exists and He is not dead. But how about for you? 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.