Near-Death Experiences as Evidence for the Existence of God and Heaven

by J. Steve Miller, Jeffrey Long (Contributor)

“For some time we’ve needed a well-researched, compelling introduction to this exciting field that focuses on the evidence. Miller delivers!” – Jeffrey Long, MD, author of the New York Times bestselling Evidence of the Afterlife: The Science of Near-Death Experiences

Reports of near-death experiences (NDEs) are flooding the media with books, articles and interviews. People describe hovering over their bodies, details of their surgeries, talking with deceased relatives, and reviewing their lives in vivid detail, often while their brains should be incapable of producing rational thought or memories.

While the accounts are no doubt interesting, do they provide any solid evidence for the afterlife and the existence of God? Miller argues, in nontechnical and engaging prose, that it does indeed. He began his study doubting that NDEs provided such evidence, but found himself convinced by the weight of the evidence.

Here the reader will explore:

• The common naturalistic explanations for NDEs.
• Evidence that NDEs point to God and heaven.
• The results of 35 years of research into NDEs by doctors and other professionals, fully documented for those who want to study further.
• A comparison of NDEs with Christian teachings.
• Recommendations of key books, researchers, and publications for further study.

“Can we survive death? Is there a God or a heaven? Miller provides the discerning reader with ample reason to think that the answer to these all-important questions is 'yes'.” - Dr. Peter Schaefer, Senior Research Psychologist, Department of Defense

Genres: Christianity, Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction, Christian

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2012

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 stars*

Well, someday we’ll all know the answer to that eternal question, “What happens when we die”?

Whether you’re one of those who believe that once we’re dead, we’re dead, and we experience nothing, or you firmly believe that there is an afterlife, this book will certainly get you thinking

After an extensive amount of research by the author, (who incidentally didn’t believe in NDEs prior to his research) this book looks at, ( amongst other things)
• The common naturalistic explanations for NDEs.
•

Evidence that NDEs point to God and heaven. 
•

The results of 35 years of research into NDEs by doctors and other professionals, fully documented for those who want to study further. 
•

A comparison of NDEs with Christian teachings. 
• Recommendations of key books, researchers, and publications for further study. 

Some interesting accounts from those who claim to have experienced a NDE, but for me personally, I think Raymond Moody’s ‘Life After Life’ is still the most interesting book on this subject.

[Joey R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 stars—I loved J. Steve Miller’s recent book on death bed experiences so much that I decided to read his earlier book on near-death experiences, and I am so glad that I did. I was once again blown away by Miller’s well researched, analytical approach to this topic. The book itself is very short but is worth reading for the appendices alone. I am personally fascinated with the topic of NDEs, and no one does a better job of analyzing them using both naturalistic and other-worldly explanations as Miller. The author uses the research of some of the most famous and well-respected NDE authorities such as Raymond Moody and van Lommel to show how they defy naturalistic explanations. He then presents two recent, well publicized critiques that argued that NDEs were not real and point by point eviscerates each of them. The author uses many individual case studies to prove the truth behind these encounters with the spirit world after death. For instance, a person who was born blind was able to accurately “see” what was happening elsewhere while she was outside of her body. Another interesting case was a person experiencing a NDE meeting a “brother” during an afterlife encounter that she didn’t know existed. She was later told by her parents that they did have an earlier child that was stillborn prior to her birth. These and so many other documented cases will really make you question your worldview or confirm to you that there really is life after death. I highly recommend both of Miller’s books on this topic as they are the most well researched and thought provoking books on this subject.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A handy book on the afterlife for those confronted by those pesky skeptics. It's like having handy bug spray ready to use on people that refuse to see any other reality exists. The Skeptical questions are cleverly answered. It is not moving accounts of life after death studies to water the eyes and have tissues at the ready. It offers more of a intellectual view and argument for the case that heaven does exist. The author says he was a skeptic at the beginning, and so the immediate thought enters the mind that every afterlife book, lately, states this belief - as if to gain more credibility. However, I will say, I actually found the author genuine in this respect, and most of the writing is filled with resources and references. Many excellent points are made throughout and one can tell he has really mulled over these questions and doesn't ready-up quick answers. A neat, heavenly affirming book, that sets the mechanical brain in motion to thinking, that maybe, just maybe, heaven is real.

[Shelley Hitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is much talk these days (and many best-selling books) that discuss near death experiences. However, this book is not just a book with one person's story but a thorough and detailed study on near death experiences. Actually 20% of the book was just the endnotes full of references to back up what the author shares.

The author states in the beginning of the book that he tends to be a skeptic and wants to know the full details before he will believe something. And I can tell that he has done just that with near death experiences. He shares some stories but also evidence and arguments regarding them. It is a fascinating subject and covered very well in this book. Recommended.

[Yvonne Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I approached this book with little to no prior knowledge of the subject. I’d heard of people claiming to have had strange experiences related to brushes with death but viewed the claims with skepticism.

It’s not that I don’t believe in God; it’s people I doubt. People misunderstand and misinterpret what they see and experience; people grasp at straws in an attempt to prove or justify preconceived ideas; sometimes they make things up in an attempt to get attention. My thinking on the whole Near-Death Experience thing was that if it happened to me, I’d take it seriously; until then, who cares?

Miller lays out the basics of what an NDE entails and outlines the history of recent studies of the phenomenon. After relating the experiences of numerous subjects, he gives an overview of the usual reasons given for discounting these reports. The objections deal, among other things, with the belief that the mind doesn’t exist apart from the brain, so people can’t experience anything after the brain ceases to function; that the experiences are relatively rare, and it would seem more people would have them if they were legitimate; that the research is tainted and/or unscientifically conducted; that the phenomenon can be explained by natural processes, such as lack of oxygen to the brain; that the people report seeing what they choose to believe or have been conditioned by their cultural background to expect; that you can’t believe what people say without corroborating evidence.

The author points out that, based on qualified reports of thousands of people in the US, Europe, and Asia, there are too many commonalities across the broad spectrum and too many aspects that have no known physical explanation for an honest person to dismiss them out-of-hand. The evidence points to the existence of a realm of existence outside the reach of science, which only measures the physical. Moreover, numerous aspects of the NDE reports seem to correlate with biblical descriptions of God (He is light, the embodiment of love, knows us intimately, is desirable, etc.). In fact, several of the scientists who undertook a study of NDEs began as skeptics, believing the phenomenon had a purely naturalistic explanation, but came to conclude that there’s something here other than the physical.

The author provides nine appendices on relevant research, articles, and hypotheses, as well as numerous sources if the reader wishes to research the matter himself.

Though written in a highly readable style, the author approaches this work as he would a research paper. He appeals to the intellect rather than the emotions and gives ample, compelling evidence for each conclusion. Rather than trying to persuade, he offers tools for the reader to conduct an investigation of his own.

If you’re alive, this book deals with a topic that’s highly relevant, however uncomfortable it may be. I recommend you make an honest assessment of facts presented here. This stuff is too important to shrug off.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very skeptical towards NDEs before reading this book, but the wealth of information and research provided here in an accessible form has just about changed my mind.

[Jordan B Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating book on a bizarre but intriguing subject.

[Thomas Mulshine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book through audio and found it fascinating. I was previously aware of near death experiences that some people reported, however, not to the detail as presented by Steve Miller. Easy listening, not too long, but makes me curious to want to read additional materials.

[Sana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you skeptical about near-death experiences? Get challenged and read J Steve Miller "Near Death Experiences".

I found his book well researched and documented. I'm not a scientist but the way Steve wrote his book kept me hooked until the end. I challenged myself to read the Appendix and the end notes as I wanted to know more about near-death experiences (NDE).

Steve has compiled his own research with those of well-known neurological surgeons. His findings are reliable as he compares the naturalistic, psychological, physiological and materialistic explanations.

Before reading Steve `book, I heard a few stories about near-death experiences. I'm a Christian. I thought it wasn't possible to come back from death in this world. Steve Miller' book proved me wrong.

Can near-death Experiences offer compelling evidence God and Heaven exist? The face to face interviews with NDErs had a strong impact on the researchers. Those interviews convinced them of life after death.

* A few years ago, I met a man who told me of having a hellish and heavenly experience when he was in a coma after having a serious car accident. This short trip to the other world led him to believe strongly in God.
* I also read the book of a sick lady who shared her experience with the heavenly realm.
* A work colleague told me of having a near-death experience after a car accident. She told me her experience led her to read Robert Moody's "Life after Life".

Did I believe in near-death Experiences before reading Steve `book? I was skeptical!!!

J Steve Miller book "Near Death Experiences" taught me that more than thousands of people across the world had a near-death experience. Can you believe a few skeptical researchers having an NDE!!!

Most NDErs didn't believe in life after death before their "NDE". The NDErs made drastic changes in their lives after their NDE. They realized the importance of love in relationships rather than material things. They understood their life choices had a lasting effect on themselves and others.

To conclude, I recommend you read J Steve Miller book "Near Death Experiences" if you don't believe God or Heaven exists. This book might change drastically your beliefs!!!

Blessings,

Sana Edoja
www.writing4god.com

[Barbara Derksen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Miller has collected some very compelling evidence for the existence of God in Near Death Experiences. His work is well organized, easy to read and understand, and a compelling argument for anyone, believer or not. Written from a variety of viewpoints, Miller brandishes concise reports and accurate details with each account. A must read for anyone searching for truth.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Real Than Reality: How Steve Miller’s NDE Book Surprised This Seasoned Reader

J. Steve Miller’s Near-Death Experiences As Evidence for the Existence of God and Heaven exceeded my expectations, offering fresh perspectives on NDEs. It brilliantly challenges common dismissals, highlighting how NDEs differ from dreams and feel “more real than reality.” Miller’s skeptical yet open-minded approach, backed by thorough research, builds a compelling case, making it a must-read for anyone curious about the afterlife.

Read my full review here: soulfulbooks.home.blog
https://wp.me/p9J5H9-pJ

[Jerry Jares · Rating 5 out of 5]

A couple of years ago, I read the book EVIDENCE OF THE AFTERLIFE: SCIENCE OF NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES. It was written by the physician Jeffery Long, who wrote this book's forward. This is a well-written book that is easy to read and understand. I thought the discussion was balanced.

The best part of the book is that it answers the questions of skeptics. He doesn't dance around points and questions, he answers them with documented findings. The author looks at the skeptical views through the prism of 'no question is a stupid question in relation to NDE.' In that way, he allows anyone to question anything about these issues and he brings documentation and reasoned analysis to bear on those questions.

I thought this to be a powerful and reassuring read; Miller is excellent at asking the difficult questions -- and having research to back up his deductions.

[Brandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Everyone says how thorough this books is... yet it starts with the presumption that NDE’s are a real thing. While Miller goes through a list of ‘here’s what skeptics say’, he simply dismisses them with no evidence except ‘that can’t be true’. As the character of Jesus has been debunked (no person was documented AT THE TIME of his suppose existence to have been doing such miracles as raising people from the dead etc) it’s highly suspicious that people are meeting this dude when they’re ‘dead’. And it’s telling that each religion seems to find their own religion in this afterlife. Like, no Hindu is going ‘hey, I met Jesus’ during their NDE.
I was hoping this would be an actual study of NDE’s, super disappointed.

[Yameen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy to read style of writing and one of the more philosophical logic-based takes on the NDE and their objections. A great start to read for skeptics.

Of course the writer is a christian and thus attempts to connect the NDE to his faith. This i found a pointless exercise since the NDE can be applied to any religion in particular the mystical traditions of each faith ie kaballah, sufism, gnosticism etc

[Matthew C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The value of this book is in its condensing and summarizing the primary evidences that NDEs provide for an afterlife. In this he succeeds. Miller takes things further and promotes a Christian understanding of these experiences. His attempt at this is hit-and-miss and somewhat cursory; I'd like to see more work done in this area. John Burke's Imagine Heaven is a good example, though also written for a lay audience.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book - shortly written with a few typos. The best part is the book doesn't get caught-up in the mystical embellishments in conveying secret knowledge of the afterlife. He's conservative in his claims and pressing for agreeable criteria.

An excellent book if you're looking to read about Near-Death Experiences with an ear to how we can evaluate them honestly.

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does the Soul Outlive the Body?

J. Steve Miller presents a well-reasoned and researched presentation of the study of near-death experiences. His conclusions reveal a Christian bias, but he does note some of the research done by nonChristians and atheists. This book is good for anyone as a starting point for further research or as an overview of the topic.

[Maja Meglić · Rating 1 out of 5]

Očekivala sam objektivnu knjigu, no ovo je više "Bog je stvaran, svi koji ne mislite tako ste glupi i idete u pakao" kategorija, tako da sam vrlo razočarana

[Fenyx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great! Loved every word! Definitely worth a read if the topic interests you.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic...lived this book