Imagine Heaven by John Burke
Week 13: Chapter 12 — What About Hell? The Dark Side of NDEs
Read Chapter 12 of Imagine Heaven. Key Scripture: Luke 16:19–31; Matthew 25:41–46; Revelation 20:14–15.
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Burke does not shy away from the sobering reality that not all NDE accounts are peaceful — some describe a terrifying darkness, and Scripture gives those accounts a name.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Burke presents accounts of 'distressing NDEs' — experiences of darkness, isolation, horror, and despair that bear little resemblance to the peaceful light experiences most people associate with NDEs. Were you aware that such experiences exist? How do they affect the overall picture?
2.The existence of hellish NDEs creates a striking parallel with Jesus' parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16). What details from that parable resonate with the distressing NDE accounts Burke describes?
3.Burke takes seriously the reality of hell not to frighten but to emphasize the stakes of the choices we make in this life. How do you hold together God's love and the reality of hell without either minimizing love or dismissing judgment?
a.Do you find the existence of hell more or less believable in light of distressing NDE accounts? Why?
b.How should the reality of hell motivate both our own spiritual lives and our care for people who don't know Christ?
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