The Geneva Bible as a Source of Solace in Troubled Times: Parallels with Present-Day Near-Death Experiences
Journal of Near-Death Studies January 1, 2024 DOI: 10.17514/jnds-2024-42-1-p27-53 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
The article examines how descriptions of heavenly scenes in the Geneva Bible, a 16th-century English translation popular among Puritans, correspond to elements found in modern near-death experience (NDE) accounts. It argues that certain biblical passages—such as visions of light, tunnels, beings of light, and life reviews—share structural similarities with contemporary NDE narratives. The author suggests that these parallels may indicate that early modern readers interpreted biblical texts through experiential frameworks that resonate with NDEs today, though the article does not claim direct causation or empirical verification. The analysis is historical and interpretive, drawing on textual comparisons rather than experimental data.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | History |
| Key finding | Passages in the Geneva Bible describing heavenly scenes share structural similarities with modern near-death experience narratives. |
Abstract
Article describing interpretations of heavenly scenes from the Geneva Bible and their correlation with modern near-death experience narratives and elements.