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4605
qualitative
journal
Vincent, Ken R., and John C. Morgan. "An 18th Century Near-Death Experience: The Case of George de Benneville." Journal of Near-Death Studies 25, no. 1 (Fall 2006): 35-48. George de Benneville, Case 1.
Journal of Near-Death Studies, Volume 25, Number 1, Pages 35-48, Copyright 2006
1741
2006
36
M
George de Benneville, an 18th-century physician and lay minister, experienced a profound NDE at age 36 in Germany. After suffering from a severe fever and consumptive disorder, he died and remained dead for 42 hours - 25 hours in the coffin and 17 hours before being placed there. His experience began with an out-of-body observation of people washing his body according to local custom at midnight.
De Benneville was drawn up into a cloud and arrived at an extensive plain filled with delightful fruit trees emitting fragrant odors. Two exceedingly beautiful guardians with wings and shining white garments appeared at his sides. The right guardian proclaimed that the Holy Trinity would reveal how all creatures without exception would be restored to salvation. He was then conducted through seven habitations of the damned, witnessing various categories of sinners experiencing consequences of their actions, though noting those who appeared sorrowful for their sins were separated from others. Remarkably, de Benneville observed angels delivering souls from these hellish regions, with heavenly hosts proclaiming "eternal and everlasting deliverance" and universal restoration. He witnessed Jesus Christ leading this redemptive mission, saw Adam and Eve rejoicing in the mediator's work, and was conducted through five celestial habitations of increasing glory. He encountered transparent beings filled with burning love and observed recently delivered souls from infernal prisons being restored. After 42 hours that seemed like years, de Benneville was reunited with his body in the coffin. His brother Marsey and others confirmed the duration of his death. This experience reinforced his earlier vision of universal salvation and transformed him from Calvinist predestination theology to becoming a lifelong advocate of Christian Universalism, believing God too good to condemn anyone to eternal hell.
5
Unknown
7
20
42
Moderate Evidence
15
Documented death for 42 hours (25 in coffin, 17 before), but no modern medical records or monitoring available from 1741
Out-of-body observation of body being washed, specific details of otherworldly realms, observation of people and activities
First-hand autobiographical account written by de Benneville himself in 1741, timing documented by witnesses including brother Marsey
Historical account predates modern investigation methods; alternative explanations cannot be systematically evaluated
written_account
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Vincent and Morgan (researchers)
2,006.00
7/25/2025
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1
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