I have a deep appreciation for Near-Death Experiences (NDEs), especially those that offer profound insight into the nature of consciousness, interconnectedness, and the afterlife. However, I find myself at odds with the ones that center around a singular, dogmatically defined “savior” particularly those that name Jesus Christ as such. From a historical and linguistic standpoint, this figure (referred to in Western tradition as “Jesus Christ”) is, at best, apocryphal.
Let’s begin with the name itself. “Jesus” is a Westernized adaptation of “Yeshua,” and “Christ” derives from the Greek “Christos,” meaning “anointed one,” “king,” or “ruler.” If this person truly walked the Earth, “Jesus Christ” would not have been his actual name. The name we assign to someone carries profound meaning and power (especially in spiritual and historical contexts) yet many believers seem eager to overlook the Western linguistic overlay imposed on this figure.
More critically, I find it difficult to reconcile the notion of a global “Savior of Humankind” with the world’s current condition. If such a savior exists, the persistent wars, systemic injustice, and deep-rooted hatred across the globe do not reflect the intervention of a benevolent, redemptive force. Faith aside, the evidence of transformation on a global scale is hard to see.
This is not a dismissal of spiritual wisdom, but rather a call for deeper discernment. Authenticity matters. Names matter. And when we reflect on our spiritual experiences, especially those as sacred as NDEs, we owe it to ourselves to question the cultural filters through which those experiences are interpreted.
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