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2120
quantitative
webpage
NDERF 2806 Jack B NDE 5338
https://nderf.org/Experiences/1jack_b_nde.html
1974
2011
M
Jack B was working on an F-111 aircraft at Cannon Air Force Base when he slipped on ice and fell approximately 15 feet onto the tarmac, landing on his toolbox. The impact resulted in catastrophic injuries including skull fractures in three places, two broken legs, two broken arms, and nine broken ribs. He experienced clinical death during the 17-hour resuscitation effort.
During his NDE, Jack found himself suddenly landing on sand at an ocean shore after losing consciousness from the fall. He encountered a long bridge that appeared miles long but took only a few steps to cross. At the end of the bridge, he met a figure he perceived as his grandfather, who told him "You just need to finish what's started, so get busy." The medical team worked for 17 hours to revive him, and he remained in a coma for nearly two weeks. The experience was characterized by overwhelming feelings of peace and love during the crossing. The most notable veridical aspect was Jack's ability to "walk the bridge" and encounter his deceased grandfather during the time he was clinically dead. While there were no specific observations of earthly events that could be verified, the experience occurred during documented clinical death with multiple resuscitation attempts. Jack reported that doctors told him they "were ready to put the toe tag on you," confirming the severity of his condition. Following the experience, Jack developed unusual sensitivities, feeling the presence of recently departed individuals, particularly sensing their desire for closeness with loved ones. The NDE profoundly reduced his fear of death and gave him a deep sense of peace about the afterlife, though this certainty has somewhat diminished over the decades. Biblical Assessment: This experience contains several elements consistent with biblical accounts of the afterlife. The bridge crossing could represent the transition between life and death mentioned in various scriptural passages. The encounter with a deceased relative aligns with the biblical concept of consciousness surviving bodily death. The overwhelming peace Jack experienced resonates with biblical descriptions of God's presence. The grandfather's message to "finish what's started" could be interpreted as a divine commission to complete earthly purposes, similar to Paul's experience of being sent back to fulfill his ministry. The development of spiritual sensitivity afterward aligns with spiritual gifts mentioned in scripture. However, there are some potentially problematic elements from a conservative evangelical perspective. The experience lacks explicit encounters with Jesus Christ or clear Christian imagery. The ongoing sensing of departed spirits and feeling their emotions could be viewed as mediumistic, which is warned against in scripture. The nature of the grandfather figure is ambiguous - while not inherently unbiblical, the lack of clear divine or angelic identification raises questions. The experience, while profound, doesn't include elements of judgment, salvation through Christ, or clear heavenly/hellish realms that would typically be expected in a biblically-grounded afterlife experience.
5
Other
10
10
20
Moderate Evidence
0
Clinical death with 17-hour resuscitation, skull fractures in 3 places, multiple broken bones, coma for 2 weeks
Experience during clinical death, encounter with deceased grandfather, bridge crossing, later psychic sensitivities
written_account
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5/24/2025
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