Taken as a whole, it seems that the totality of what Near Death Experiences (NDEs) reveal is twofold. First, the overwhelming uniformity found in the vast majority of reported NDEs strongly suggests that there exists a mystical realm occupied by supernatural beings that seems to be the final destiny for at least some of humanity. Second, human beings consist of both a physical body that eventually dies and an immaterial soul that separates from the body and lives on after bodily death, coming to dwell in a mystical higher dimension (be it heaven or hell). In fact, NDEs can be considered first-order evidence of the existence of the human soul—that aspect of what makes you, you—the consciousness of the human mind.
Scientists, philosophers, psychologists, and theologians alike have long debated both the nature of consciousness and its origin. Despite significant advances in understanding cognitive function and neural mapping, the concept of consciousness remains a great mystery in the scientific community. On the other hand, orthodox Christian doctrine has consistently held that the human soul, or, what we are calling consciousness, is a product of mankind being made in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:29) who is Himself spirit (John 4:24). In that way the soul of man possesses the ability to commune with the God in whose image he was created (Isa 43:7). Close analysis of NDEs seems to indicate that something very much like that is going on—the human soul, or consciousness, communing with the spirit of God who Himself dwells in a higher dimension. That would seem to be the logical conclusion derived from the last several articles of this column specifically addressing the topic.
Body/soul dualism is precisely the argument that physicist Michael Pravica has recently put forward. At the heart of Pravica’s fascinating argument is the concept of hyperdimensionality. In our day-to-day lives, human beings experience the world in three dimensions: length, width, and height, and a fourth dimension, time. These dimensions, in essence, define our reality because they are the established boundaries of our perception that generally cannot be crossed. There are, however, many more, as many as ten more (some say even more) dimensions that lie beyond those boundaries that limit our perception. This is hyperdimensionality—the existence of many dimensions. The concept of hyperdimensionality is not a new invention made by Dr. Pravica, but is the central foundation of modern theoretical physics. String Theory, for example, is heavily reliant on the existence of multiple hidden dimensions to help scientists understand how the universe works on a subatomic scale. Incidentally, String Theory, as well as hyperdimensionality, are widely and wildly accepted concepts within the scientific community. Pravica believes that our consciousness, on occasion, interacts with these higher dimensions, often bringing heightened awareness, creativity, and inspiration. This may very well be so; however, much more importantly, it must be the case that the consciousness of man finds its highest expression in the higher dimensionwhereNDEs,meditative prayer, and religious experiences in general find their supernatural origin. These are no less than hyperdimensional events where the consciousness of man crosses through the boundaries established by the four dimensions of this world. It is a journey through the porous veil into the enchanted world of the Supreme, who Himself crafted and createdtheconsciousnessofmanfor that very reason: communion with His creation.
It should come as no surprise, then, that the Bible seems to support the concept of hyperdimensionality and the existence of hyperdimensional beings. Pravica even suggests Jesus to be just such a being when he posits the question, “How do you ascend into heaven if you’re a four-dimensional being?” Sure enough, Christians hold that during Jesus’s 40 days on earth after His resurrection, He exhibited classic hyperdimensionality by passing through the locked door of the upper room (cf John 20:19), suddenly vanishing from sight (cf Luke 24:31), and ascending to heaven (cf Acts 1:9-11). No doubt about it, Pravica’s argument that Jesus is a hyperdimensional being does enjoy biblical support. And if hyperdimensionality holds true for Jesus, who was God incarnate, then it should likewise hold true for human beings as well.
Be it Near Death Experiences or hyperdimensionality, the point of it all should be clear, and the argument should be considered: There is overwhelming and compelling evidence that human beings are composed of both a material body that eventually ceases to exist, and an immaterial soul (consciousness) that is separated from the body at death and transcends the earthly realm upon death to a higher, now unseen dimension of eternal reality “where the soul of man never dies.” Perhaps Longfellow had it right after all when he wrote, “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep.”
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.