Journal of Near-Death Studies, volume 10, issue 4
Guest Editorial: The Resurrection as Near-Death Experience
Cook, R. B.
I suggest in this paper that Jesus Christ was not clinically dead, but in a deep coma when he was taken down from the cross. He was revived by Joseph of Arimathea, who was permitted to take Jesus's body into his care. By Pentecost, seven weeks later, Jesus had finally recovered from his wounds, and his reappearance convinced his followers that he was the Son of God. I suggest that the Resurrection was not a physical happening, but a near-death experience. As such, it was totally real to Christ himself, and it also confirmed his belief that he could, by proxy discharge humanity's sins.
